The Herb Garden Plants’ 3 Important Tips
Herb garden plants come in different forms just like the other types of plants. There are lot varieties of herbs and each one is different. Before deciding to have one of the different types of herb garden plant, you should at least have background knowledge of its proper use and how to take care of it. This article will help you to better understand types of herb garden plant and their proper usage.
Annuals like basil, cilantro, and summer savory cannot survive a frost and they need to be planted from a seed or a small plant every year unlike perennials like sage and winter savory which barely lives in cold temperature and grows every after a year. Those herb garden plants that form leaves in their first growing season and flowers and seed in the second season and eventually dies are known to be biennial herbs. Parsley, angelica, and caraway belong to this group and they should be sown in late spring directly into the garden. Prepare the soil first by working it to a fine structure and wet it slightly. Planting the seeds in shallow rows and firming the soil on top of them is recommended. It is advisable that fine seeds be planted in a mixture of sand to allow them to spread evenly. Covering the bed with wet burlap or paper allows moisture of soil during germination.
Herb garden plants are also grouped into the categories for which they are used. Culinary herbs are probably the most useful to herb gardeners. They have a huge range of different uses in cooking. Because of their strong flavors, herbs like chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram are generally used in small quantities to add flavor to different types of food. Parsley are extremely popular herb garden plants that are used mostly as a garnish. Aromatic herbs have pleasant smelling flowers or foliage. Oils from aromatic herbs like loyage, mint, and rosemary can be used to make different types of perfumes, toilet water, or other various scents. Parts of aromatic herb garden plants used intact can also be used in the home to scent linens or clothing. They can also be dried and made into potpourri which will enable them to be able to retain their aroma for a long period of time. Lavender and lemon verbenas are great herb garden plants to use for potpourri. Some herbs are also used for medicinal purposes. For centuries herbs have been thought to have the ability to cure the body. Present medical knowledge recognizes that some herb garden plants are beneficial to ones health, others are overrated. Herbs used for medicinal purposes should be used carefully. Some herb garden plants are harmless but others can be dangerous if eaten.
Some herb garden plants are not used for their flavor, power to heal or fragrance. Some herbs are also used for their beauty. Ornamental herbs have brightly colored flowers and foliage. Many have whitish or various light colored flowers like valerian which has crimson blossoms and borage and chicory which grow gorgeous blue flowers.
Herb garden plants are categorized with their uses but still some of them can be used in different purposes. Mint can be used either for cooking, tea, and pest control. Whatever purpose you have in herb plants, at least you have the right knowledge of their proper uses.
