Infolific » Herb Gardening

Lady's Bedstraw

Jeanie Howey — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:21:04 +0000

Lady's bedstraw needs little attention and readily spreads by seed. It is often grown as an ornamental. Herbalists seal the dried foliage in pillows that release a sleep-inducing scent when rested upon. Best climate and site: Zones 3-9. Full sun, but tolerates light shade. Ideal soil conditions: Deep, light, fertile [...]

Savory, winter

Jeanie Howey — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:29:00 +0000

This aromatic bushy, evergreen perennial has a peppery flavor and has been used in cooking for 2,000 years. It is also thought to be beneficial for digestion and skin problems. It is sometimes used as a salt substitute. Best climate and site: Zones 6-9. Full sun. Ideal soil conditions: Poor, [...]

Planting Seeds

Jeanie Howey — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:58:10 +0000

For most of us, the garden year begins in spring. A sudden spell of warm weather makes most gardeners keen to begin planting, but don't be too hasty--the soil temperature needs to be at least 55°F (13°C) before you can begin planting. However, if you are planting tender annual herbs, [...]

Costmary

Jeanie Howey — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:51:21 +0000

In the summer, enjoy costmary's mint-scented leaves in your garden and add them to salads and vegetable dishes. In the autumn, harvest whole stems for weaving into fragrant herb baskets. Best climate and site: Zones 6-10. Full sun to partial shade. Ideal soil conditions: Well-drained, fertile, loamy soil; pH 6.0-6.7. [...]

Licorice

Jeanie Howey — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:07:05 +0000

The bittersweet licorice root has been enjoyed as a natural confection for thousands of years. The licorice plant is a perennial legume and is native to south-western Asia and the Mediterranean. Best climate and site: Zones 8-10. Full sun. Ideal soil conditions: Deep, rich, moist soil; pH 6.5-7.8. Growing guidelines: [...]

Elder

Jeanie Howey — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:45:04 +0000

The elder has been highly valued for centuries and has been termed "the medicine chest of the people" due to its medicinal properties of lowering fevers, reducing inflammations and soothing irritations. Best climate and site: Zones 5-9. Full sun to partial shade. Ideal soil conditions: Moist, rich soil; pH 6.5-8.1. [...]

Safflower

Jeanie Howey — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:58:51 +0000

The orange-yellow flowers of safflower are used to produce yellow and red dyes, which when mixed together with powdered talc form the facial makeup rouge. A popular cooking oil is manufactured from the seeds. Best climate and site: Zones 6-10. Full sun. Ideal soil conditions: Well-drained soil enriched with organic [...]

Red Clover

Jeanie Howey — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:16:08 +0000

Red clover is a member of the legume family. With the aid of microscopic soil organisms, legumes add nitrogen to the soil, an important element for all plant growth. Best climate and site: Zones 6-9. Full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. Ideal soil conditions: Light, moist, sandy, well-drained garden [...]

Container Herbs

Jeanie Howey — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 08:40:12 +0000

Containers are excellent receptacles for growing herbs, especially if space is tight. Containers brimming with herbs look very attractive when grown near your kitchen door or in a window box. This way you can simply reach out and cut some basil leaves or a sprig of rosemary when you need [...]

Caring for Container Herbs

Jeanie Howey — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:16:22 +0000

Your container plants need to be cared for in the appropriate way if they are to look their best. Caring for container plants is much the same as for other plants in that they all need good soil, periodic fertilizing and regular watering. However, container plants will need more watering [...]

Comfrey

Jeanie Howey — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:50:14 +0000

Comfrey is an attractive plant with large, broad, deep green leaves and nodding clusters of tubular flowers. It has a colorful medicinal history, and was once thought to help repair broken bones. Best climate and site: Zones 5-10. Full sun to partial shade. Ideal soil conditions: Rich, moist garden soil; [...]

Fenugreek

Jeanie Howey — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:20:53 +0000

Fenugreek is a member of the same family as beans and clover. The seeds are used as a substitute for maple flavoring in baked goods and are also used in curries and to make a laxative tea. Best climate and site: Zones 6-10. Full sun. Ideal soil conditions: Rich garden [...]

Hydrangea

Jeanie Howey — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:54:41 +0000

Hydrangea's cup-shaped fruits are described in its botanical name, which is adapted from the Greek for "water vessel." There are twenty-three species of hydrangea, ranging from small shrubs and trees through to climbers. Best climate and site: Zones 5-9. Sun to partial shade; frost resistant but drought tender. Ideal soil [...]

Fertilizers

Jeanie Howey — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:09:03 +0000

Supplying your plants with the nutrients they need is a critical part of keeping them healthy and vigorous. How much fertilizer you should add to your garden will depend on how fertile the soil is and which plants you're growing. The texture and natural fertility of your soil will have [...]

Different Herbs for Different Climates

Jeanie Howey — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:09:59 +0000

Moderate-Climate Herbs These herbs prefer climates where winter temperatures do not fall below 10°F (-5°C) and that have warm, dry summers with cool nights. Agrimony, basil (sweet), bay, calendula, cilantro (coriander), eucalyptus, fennel, fenugreek, feverfew, geranium (scented), germander, horehound, lavender (English), lemon; 'Fenne" verbena, madder, marjoram, mint, oregano, orris, parsley [...]

Pyrethrum

Jeanie Howey — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:39:21 +0000

This herb contains volatile oils that are extremely effective in repelling and killing insects. Dried flowers retain their insecticidal properties indefinitely and have been used around the home and garden for centuries. Best climate and site: Zones 6-10. Full sun. Tolerates seaside conditions but not waterlogged soil. Cold and heat [...]

Choosing Your Plants

Jeanie Howey — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:46:47 +0000

Before you race out and start buying plants for your herb garden, it's worth taking some time to work out the type of garden that you want and the types of plants to grow in it. Being well informed will help you choose plants that will make your garden a [...]

Lime

Jeanie Howey — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:07:27 +0000

There are 16 species of tree and shrub in the citrus genus, all closely related. Aromatic, tart limes are native to the West Indies. They have valuable culinary and medicinal properties. Best climate and site: Zones 9 and warmer; prefers humid, tropical and warm temperate climates with full sun and [...]

Clary

Jeanie Howey — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:36:44 +0000

Fresh clary has a bitter, warm aroma and flavor and makes an attractive flowering garden plant. Fresh and dried leaves are used for seasoning--it has the same culinary uses as sage. Best climate and site: Zones 5-10. Full sun. Ideal soil conditions: Average, well-drained soil; pH 4.8-7.5. Growing guidelines: Sow [...]

Leek

Jeanie Howey — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:32:42 +0000

Leeks are the national emblem of Wales. They are grown for their stout, flavorful bulb and stem. They are popular ingredients in French cooking. These onion relatives hold well in the ground for late harvest. Best climate and site: Zones 6 and warmer; grow as a winter vegetable in mild [...]