The two most widespread and enduring cuisines in the world are Italian and Chinese.  They have been around for many centuries and I dare say that you can go anywhere in the civilized world today and readily find both. They owe considerable thanks for the enduring and widespread popularity of their cuisines to their frequent use of herbs.

Some of the world’s most popular cuisines claim Italian heritage.  An influential factor contributing to this popularity is the liberal use of herbs by the Italian chef.  Choosing to grow Italian herbs puts you in select company because the Italian herbs are some of the most famous and tastiest in the world and growing them associates you with others that appreciate the finer things in life.

The family of Italian herbs is large and varied.  If you opt for an Italian herb garden you should really consider which herbs you will use.  The Italian herb family is so big that you have a wide selection to choose from that will easily supply you with all the many flavors, aromas, beauty and remedies you may be desiring.  Planting any Italian herbs will definitely quality you as an Italian herb gardener and here are a few of the most popular you might choose from:

Garlic – The mainstay of Italian cuisines.  It is easy to grow, maintain and preserve.

Oregano – A dual purpose delight that will provide flavor and beauty.

Basil – A wonder herb that will provide great flavors, improve the flavor of other nearby vegetable plants and repel insects.

Oregano – Provides great beauty with its purple flowers along with delicious flavors.

Rosemary – A wonderful cooking herb with other attractive features.  It will grow into a large bush that blooms with beautiful blue flowers and it attracts bees to your garden.

Parsley – This is a widely used herb that is not exclusive to Italian cuisine.  Before the advent of breath mints it was found that eating fresh parsley was an effective cure for bad breath.

Sage – A favorite in many Italian dishes from meats to salads.

Fennel – This Italian herb is famous for its seeds that grace and enhance the flavors of Italian sausage.

These herbs mentioned here are the most popular and well known of the Italian family of herbs.  Growing any of them will definitely qualify you as an Italian herb gardner.  If you decide to raise these plants do a little research before you begin and you will be amazed at the bountiful rewards you will receive from your efforts.  Beside the obvious tangible
benefits of a herb garden you can have the satisfaction of knowing you are working with the same herbs enjoyed by the Pre-Christian Romans.  So don’t delay start your herb gardening today!

Culinary Herbs

This is the most recognized class of herbs.  Most everyone is familiar with popular herbs such as basil in soup, oregano in speghetti sauce or the old favorite of chives on a baked potato.  Their primary use is for enhancing the taste and flavor of most all foods.

Many refer to these plants as “sweet herbs.” They can be annual, biennial or perennial and have a great aromatic flavor.  Examples of this type include:

1  Basil – A favorite that will delightfully season your meat, poultry or fish.  It is an excellent addition to soups, salads and sauces.  It can even make an omelet special.

2. Chives – Has a mildly onion flavor which makes it a zesty addition to lots of dishes.

3. Coriander – A very versatile herb.

4. Dill - Has a sharp slightly bitter taste.  Perfect for pickles.

5. Fennel – Great with fish, soups and salads.

6. Mint – Adds a dash of sunshine to any dish.

7. Parsley – Makes a great addition to salads, casseroles and omelets.

8. Sage - An awesome addition to any meat dish.

9. Tarragon – Vinegar’s best friend.

10.Thyme – Another good friend to meats.

Aromatic Herbs

Although some of these herbs are dual purpose in that they can be used for culinary needs their main function is to provide pleasant aromas.  They include marjoram, lovage, rosemary and even basil.  Like their culinary cousins they have a long history of use.  The ancient Egyptians used aromatic herbs to make perfumes and other sweet smelling products.

These herbs are not grown as much as other types but they are a wonderful addition to any herb garden with their delightful aromas.

Ornamental herbs

The sole purpose of this type herb is to be decorative.  Some have overlapping functions but they mainly provide beauty with their brightly colored flowers and foliage.  Sometimes just the texture of the leaves add attractive accents to a their surroundings.

Ornamental herb plants include; Dittany of Crete, valerian, borage and chicory.

Medicinal Herbs

This type of herb is probably the most intriguing of all because of its place in man’s history.  Before the advent of modern medicine medicinal herbs were all that was available to man for health remedies.  Evidence of medicinal use of herbs is present with every civilization throughout history.

Adding medicinal herbs to garden not only provide health aids but it links the gardener with his distant forefathers.

Here is a list of ten commonly used herbs.  Some will be familiar others are less know but all are effective gifts to mankind.

1. Nettles – Aids against inflammation due to allergies and is rich in vitamin C and iron.

2. Calendula – Also known as marigold and is a gentle healing agent.

3. Burdock – This is beneficial for the gastrointestinal tract.

4. Chamomile – A well known healing herb best known for its calming effects on the human body.

5. Echinacea – A powerful booster of the immune system.

6. Lavender – A respected pain killer and reliever of anxiety.

7. Lemon Balm – Good for the digestive system and mild insomnia.

8. St. John’s Wort – It’s best know use is in the treatment of depression.

9. Feverfew – For centuries it was known as a cure for migraine headaches as well as arthritis and rheumatism.

10. Valerian – This herb has been used to treat anxiety, nervous tension, restlessness and digestive disorders.

Tea Herbs

Herbal teas have been a favorite for many centuries.  The Japanese and Chinese cultures have enjoyed them as far back as recorded history.  European societies have an equal appreciation of the benefits of herbal teas so what better recommendation is there to include herbal teas in your herb garden?

This overview of the types of herbs gives you enough information to make decisions.  So what are you waiting for?  Let’s get that herb garden started.

This rise of interest has caused many to consider growing their own herbs.  If you are considering joining the ranks of herb gardeners – Congratulations!  All the benefits herbs provide will be more readily available to you as a grower.  They include; tasty additions to your cuisine, medicinal remedies, organic insect control and beauty.

Growing your own herbs is an exciting adventure. Unlike vegetable plants, herbs are easy to grow and require little TLC.  Watching them grow and produce good things for you make it a pleasure to pass by them everyday and enjoy their exotic fragrances and visual beauty.

In modern times with all its conveniences we got away from producing our own food and fiber by developing a reliance on the grocery store.  I believe this contributed to a loss of interest in herbs and its uses but the interest is returning.

We are not the first to discover the wonders of herbs. Most will be surprised to discover that herbs have always been an important part of humanity.  We are not the first to have an appreciation of herbs.  As long as mankind has been recording history herbs are mentioned. The Egyptians were using herbs before the first pyramid was constructed.  Herbs were extensively used by the ancient Chinese and it is still evident in their cuisine that we enjoy today.

There are many references to the plants in the Bible.  Almost 800 years before the birth of Christ Isaiah discussed the growing and harvesting of cumin.  In the Gospels of the New Testament it is mentioned that tithes were paid in herbs like cumin, mint and others.  This indicates that herbs were in use and they had great value at the time. Some herbs like hyssop, rue or horehound which were mentioned in the Bible are rarely seen today.  Growing your own herbs gives you the opportunity to sample rare delights such as those from Biblical times.

To be a successful herb gardener does not require any special skills. You don’t have to be a master gardener to successfully produce bumper crops of exotic herbs.  They are easy to grow.  Now in your first year you make have a few misfires but just keep it up.  They are very forgiving and you will find as I did that it is infectious.  The more you learn about growing herbs you will find that you want to learn even more.  You will find that they are a totally fascinating family of plants that will continually surprise you with exotic flavors, aromas and cures.

Herb gardening is in the middle of a remarkable comeback. Interest is rising and now is the time to join this wave of resurgence and add a little zest to your life.

Herb plants are highly productive so you don’t need a giant garden to make enough for home use.  They are ideal for small mini gardens in a container indoors or on a window sill.  What could be better than having a fresh sage or rosemary plant on the kitchen counter at the ready with a supply of exciting herbs for your cooking?

An indoor herb garden is a great way to getting started in the avocation and it can lead to even bigger things in an outdoor garden or remain as a wonderful addition to your indoors.  If you are going the indoor route be aware that light considerations are important.  In order to thrive herb plants need ten to twelve hours of sunlight per day.  Southern and western exposure is preferable but any direction will do.

Starting your own mini-herb garden is easy.  Herb plants plants are available everywhere.  They can be found in nurseries, garden stores, big box stores and even grocery stores.  Just pick out your favorite and replant it or let it grow in the container from the store.  Another way that is even cheaper and easier is seeds.  The seeds grow so fast they will produce just about as soon as the plants.

Herb plants are a hearty breed but they do not like wet feet so where ever you plant them make sure the soil is well drained.  If you use pots or window boxes put a layer of gravel, chipped stones or wood chips in the bottom and do not pack the soil tightly.  That should take care of the wet feet problem.  Other than that you are good to go.

Should you elect to go with seeds be careful to read the directions.  It is important to size the container correctly.  Some plants grow much larger that others and its a good idea to know how much space you will need down the growing road.  The plants need to be rotated occasionally so knowing how large the seeds will grow up to be is helpful.

You may find that your herbs will outgrow their indoor homes.  This provides a great opportunity to start an outdoor herb garden.  You can take a portion of the plants you have lovingly nurtured indoors and move them outside to establish an outdoor herb garden.  Before long you will be producing enough herbs to share with your neighbors.

I hope you now see that having a small herb garden provides a wide variety of benefits to the gardener.  You are encouraged to find out how rewarding it can be.  Just read up a little on the subject and then go for it!  It is easy and you will enjoy it’s delights.

If you decide to become a herb gardener your first big hurdle is selecting what you want to grow.  There are so many types and classes of herbs available to grow that it can be a little intimidating just deciding what to grow.  Probably the easiest way to chose is to merely look at your kitchen spice cabinent and start with the herbs that you use on a regular basis.  Start off with something familiar like rosemary, sage, basil, dill, mint or parsely.

Herb plants do not like wet feet.  The soil in your garden must be well drained.  If it doesn’t drain well it will be necessary to rig up some sort of a “french drain.”  This is accomplished by putting crushed rock one foot under the garden soil.  Luckily it doesn’t take a big area to raise more than enough herbs for your use.

The initial planting of your garden brings you to another decision point.  Herb plants or seeds.  The plants are readily available.  They can be found in garden shops, big box stores and even grocery stores so finding your target plants is easy but growing them from seeds is cheaper and even easier.  Most herb plants grow very fast so your not losing a lot of time if you go with seed.  It comes down to personal preference.

Follow directions when it your plants are ready for harvest.  Premature leaf removal can be fatal to plants that haven’t reached maturity even if you have that perfect salmon filet screaming for some of your home grown fresh herbs.  Treat them right and they will produce a bountiful harvest for you.

When your herb garden begins to produce is when the fun begins.  Many can be used straight from the plant with food on a grill or in the  pot but some require drying.  This will preserve them for later use and facilitate their use in cooking. An easy way to dry herbs is to spread them out on a baking sheet and put them in the oven on low heat for about three hours.

After your herbs are dried store them in glass or plastic.  Other type containers will not preserve the taste and flavor.  Several days after storage check for moisture in the containers.  If moisture is present they were not dried properly should be redried or they will mildew.

Establishing a herb garden is a rewarding experience.  It doesn’t require a lot of work and it will provide a world of satisfaction so do yourself a big favor and start you herb garden today!

The Harvest.

To be able to use your herb products they must first be harvested.  The procedures vary with the type of plant but here is some general advice.  The best time to harvest your herbs is on a dry and calm midsummer morning because the vital oils of the herbs can be dispersed by wind and heat.  On extremely wet days the herb will produce less oils.  For this reason the herbs ought to harvested as soon as the dew dries and before the flowers open.  When harvesting the leaves only take about one third of the plant.  This will allow the plant to grow back out again for a later harvest.  Follow these advice and you should reap a great crop.

Cleaning Your Herbs.

Whether you are preserving your herb crop or using it straight out of the garden it is important to follow a simple step to insure it is properly cleaned for use.  After the herb stems and leaves have been prepped by removing any trash or dead leaves put them in a cool water bath that has one ounce of salt per gallon of water.  The salt will get rid of any insects.  After washing in the cool saltwater bath dry them and proceed on to the next step.

Preservation of Your Herbs.

Herbs are great when taken directly from the plant and thrown on a slab of your favorite meat or vegetable dish but they can be preserved for year round enjoyment.  The three most common methods are drying, freezing, or preserving.

Drying – This is a simple process that requires only one tool – a piece of string.  Simply take six to twelve herb stems and tie them together at the base of the stems in a cluster.  make sure you remove any leaves near the base of the stems and then hang the bunch in a cool, dry and unlit area.  If you want to dry a single leaf at the time place the leaf on a rack or screen and put it in the same cool, dry and unlit area.  In this case the leaves should be flipped over frequently to insure proper drying.  Artificial methods can be used to dry herbs but nothing beats natural drying.

Freezing – This is a quick and easy method of saving your herb crop for future use. Simply cut the herbs into 1/4 inch pieces and spread them out on a baking pan lined with waxed paper.  Put them in the freezer and as soon as they are fully frozen take them out and place them in a plastic bag and stash them back in the freezer until you need them.

Preserving – Another inventive way to preserve herbs is through putting them in some other products that will prolong the life of the herb.  These include oils, salt and vinegar.  This technique was developed long before anyone ever imagined refrigeration but it is still viable as ever today.

Please take note that this is a general guide to the utilization of a herb harvest.  There are many different types of herbs available for you to grow and enjoy.  Go out and discover which variety strikes your fancy, learn how to make it flourish and enjoy it.

You can share in this rich culinary heritage by growing your own Italian herbs. Here are a few you may consider:

BASIL – One of the most popular Italian herbs and used in almost every Italian recipe.  It is one of the hardest working herb plants in the garden.  Not only does it provide exciting flavors to a variety of dishes  it repels mosquitoes and flies and when planted near tomatoes and peppers will improve their flavors.

PARSLEY – A long time favorite that got its start as a breath freshener.  Before the advent of Altoids and other breath mints it was discovered that consuming a little parsley at the end of a garlic laden meal made the after dinner conversation much more enjoyable.  A tradition was started to serve a small portion of parsley with each meal.  That tradition continues today with the widespread use of parsley as a garnish on many dishes.  It is a little more difficult to grow but it is well worth the effort.

OREGANO – Another multi-faceted herb.  It is a flavorful addition to many dishes and it has been credited by some to possess medicinal qualities.  In addition it blooms with a beautiful purple flower that will brighten up any bouquet.

FENNEL – Its greatest claim to fame is its contribution to Italian sausage.
The next time you sit down to a repast which includes Genoa salami thank the fennel seeds for the exciting flavor.  Being a perennial plant that doesn’t age gracefully it is a good idea to replant after several years to insure a steady supply of flavorful seed.

ROSEMARY – The herb that never met a pork roast it didn’t like.  Another great multi-tasker that not only provides great flavor to a wide range of dishes but produces beautiful little blue flowers.  An ironic asset of rosemary is its ability to attract insects, namely honey producing bees.  It is classified as a perennial but it will not stand extremely cold weather.

GARLIC – Italian Chef’s favorite.  Garlic is by far the number one herb utilized in Italian Cuisine.  If you like garlic in your Italian food you have lots of company.  Good news for the gardener.  Garlic is easy to grow without a lot of industry and will flourish almost anywhere.  Garlic cloves are easy to harvest and store.

SAGE – It’s slight peppery flavor graces many Italian dishes from salads to meats.  To insure best flavor use only the new shoots and keep the plants trimmed.  This will promote new growth of those flavorful new shoots.  Sage is a perennial that should be harvested after it blooms.

An Italian herb garden can take you straight to the streets of an Italian village with its aromas, flavors and colorful flowers.  With the history, traditions and popularity associated with Italian cuisine it would be an exciting adventure to cultivate a garden full of Italian herbs.  Learn which herb plants are suitable for your area and get started today on your Italian herbs adventure.

The three types of herb plants:

Annuals – These plants complete their life cycle in one year.  They have to be replanted every year.  They include such plants as summer savory, basil and cilantro.  These plants will not survive cold weather.

Biennial – These plants sign up for a two year term. They will grow and produce leaves and flowers the first year and seed in the second season.  This type includes angelica, caraway and parsley and should be planted in late spring.

Perennials – And here we have the lifers.  Perennials can live through cold weather and come back year after year.  Examples include winter savory and sage.  These make more reliable additions to an outdoor garden.

Each type of seed being planted requires careful soil preparation.  Prior to planting the ground should be carefully worked into a smooth consistency and slightly moistened.   The seeds should be planted in shallow rows and kept moist during germination.  Covering the bed with wet burlap or plastic will help with moisture.

Herbs are also grouped into the categories for which they are used.  Here are some of their uses:

Functions:

Culinary – This exciting aspect of herbs is the favorite of all epicureans. Culinary herbs come in a small package with a powerful punch when used in food preparation.  They are the most useful to the herb gardener.  Included in this type are cumin, basil, savory, parsley, sage, thyme, marjoram and chives.  They are the most useful to the herb gardener because they add zest to a wide variety of foods and are treasured by many.

Aromatic – Many herbs give off extremely pleasing and enjoyable aromas from there flowers and leaves.  These include rosemary, mint, loyage, lemon verbena and lavender.  Oil from these herbs can be used for numerous sweet smelling items such as toilet water and perfumes.  Some herb plant foliage can be used to give clothing or linens a fresh scent.  They can also be dried and included into potpourri which will preserve the aroma for a long time.

Medicinal – Herbal remedies have been used for many centuries.  Many people believe that certain herbs have curative powers.  There are some herbs that have been recognized by reputable medical authorities as being helpful to ones health in some cases.  There are skeptics who disagree but if it works for you all the better.  Just be very careful in considering herbal cures.  Some herbs can be dangerous if consumed.  Other than a nice cup of herbal tea this author advises caution when considering herbal remedies.

All three of these functions earn the herb family high praise but there is another function they serve that brings beauty to our lives.  In addition to their medicinal uses, aromas and flavors there foliage and flowers give us a kaleidoscope of colorful beauty.  Chicory and borage produces beautiful blue flowers and the crimson blossoms of the valerian are spectacular.

Herbs are wonderful plants.  They make our lives better in many ways and some are even multi-faceted.  The humble mint is a great addition to pest control, cooking and beverages.  So learn more about these wonder plants and you will surely find one or several that will make your life better.

There is sufficient interest in herb gardening to encourage suppliers to offer packages with everything a new herb gardener will need to get started.  These package are commonly called herb garden kits and they come in many varieties.  One can choose a kit with a particular type seed such as herbal tea herbs, German herbs, international herbs, salsa herbs, Italian Herbs, Culinary herbs and many others.  The kits offer many different type of seeds but in general they all supply the basic items needed to get started.  They provide detailed instructions on the care and protection of the seeds and the plants they grow into.  In addition they will provide suggestions on how to use the products produced by the seeds whether they be for culinary uses, aromas, medicinal or pest control.  Some suppliers offer newsletters to provided continued education on the subject of growing herbs.  All kits vary but most will provide not only information and seed but all containers and soil to grow the seeds.  Finding kits that meet your requirements is easy.  If you can’t find one at your local garden shop look on the internet.  There are plenty available that can get you off to a good start.

If you choose to grow herbs indoors a starter kit can be a big help and get you off to a great start.  Especially when you consider all the advantages of growing herb plants inside it makes utilizing a kit even more appealing. Imagine the convenience and excitement of being able to harvest fresh herbs right there in your kitchen which will add that perfect seasoning flavor to the dish you are cooking.  That’s what you call real time convenience.  It is much easier to take care of herb plants indoors because the environment is more stable and it is usually better for the plants.  They can thrive year round because of constant temperatures and controlled watering.  Also they tend to have more stable lighting indoors.  outdoor gardens require more care and protection due to changing temperatures and rain conditions.  A herb garden kit can be used to start and outdoor garden but they are excellent for getting started indoors .

If you decide to take up the challenge of growing herbs and persevere to point of being able to successfully grow all types of herbs in your garden  you will gain an overwhelming sense of accomplishment because they are such wonderful plants.  It is not that easy to do so if you don’t have a good mentor to show you the ropes you might be in for a period of frustration and disappointment.  So don’t go it along start out with a good herb garden kit.

Let’s take a look at some of those basic principles.  Firstly, herbs are no different from other plants in that they need three things to grow properly; water, good soil and sunlight.

The staff of life for plants is sunlight so if you are growing your plants inside it is important to consider which way the sun is shining.  Depending on where you are located and what season of the year it is you will have to pay close attention to where you place your indoor plants to insure they get plenty of sunlight.

You will find different herbs will have different requirements for sunlight.  Usually it is not a big factor of consideration if you just make sure your plants are in a sunny spot of your house.  If finding enough sunlight is a challenge you may want to consider an artificial light source to help your plants grow.

The soil requirements for growing herbs in containers is not rocket science.  All they need is a little so-so rich soil that is well drained.  Just mix two parts of good potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite in a container with about one inch of gravel on the bottom.  The plants would also appreciate it if you would put one teaspoon of lime per 5 inch pot.

When you grow herbs indoors they are wholly dependent on you for water.  Next to sunlight water is the most important thing you will have to provide for you plants.  Your indoor plants will need more water than herbs grown in a garden but you must be careful not to overdo it.  Misting is best. You want to keep them moist without watering to the point of making the soil soggy.

A handy feature of cultivating herbs in a container is portability.  You can move them wherever you like without disturbing the roots.

When the weather warms up you can move your perennial herbs outside while the annual herbs can stay indoors year round.  Just remember to bring them back in before the next frost comes around unless you have tarragon, chives or mint.  Those can stand a light frost and in fact form firmer and fresher growth after a cold snap.

An indoor herb garden is easy to manage.  And the excitement of having a supply of aromatic herbs readily available for enhancement of your cooking is well worth the effort.

Any herb can be grown in a container but some do better than others and as you become a more experienced herb gardener you will develop a list of favorites.

In addition to the basic tips given above occasional fertilizer applications and annual repotting will help keep you plants in tip-top shape.  Another thing you should do is replant annuals and put your perennials outside.

And lastly, pruning and regular harvesting is good for all your herb plants.

Do these things and you will become the go-to authority on herbs and your friend list will grow as fast as your herbs when they start receiving the bounty of your herb harvest.