If you want to try herb gardening, then you should know which herbs you should plant where and when. There are several herbs that should be planted from seed. These are the most popular herbs that are easy to grow and harvest. You should consider the location and time of year when planting them because they will not grow as well if they have to deal with colder weather. Plant them when the soil is warm and you can also place mulch over the area that you plan on planting so that the roots won’t rot.
A lot of herbs grow well in shade. Most often, they are best known for their aromatic onion flavor. They usually grow fast and are a good late summer herb. They will grow in most areas but be careful that you don’t place too many of them next to each other so that they don’t form a canopy and smother each other. Be sure to plant these in thick soil so that they will get enough water.
One of the most popular herbs for cooking herbs is thyme. It has a strong smell, very powerful and is a good choice to add to meals or salad dressing. Thyme is a perennial herb that needs little attention throughout its life. The best part of thyme’s hardiness is that it maintains its quality and flavor even after it has been harvested. It can withstand freezing temperatures and is resistant to most insects and pests.
Sage, an herb you might be hearing more about, is another easy herb to grow. It is a perennial and when planted in the garden, it forms a beautiful covering on the surface of the soil. When the plant blooms, new shoots will shoot up. You can harvest sage leaves or plant new shoots right after the plant flowers.
Most all culinary herbs are easy to grow, but there are some notable exceptions. Herbs like oregano, Rosemary, chives, parsley and thyme are all difficult to grow because they have hardier roots that need protection from cold, winds and insects. All have medicinal properties and have edible flowers and leaves. All have fresh taste, even when they are not in flower.
Annual herbs such as basil, mint, dill, tarragon and marjoram thrive in full shade in the shade on their traditional garden plots. This allows them to go into dormancy during the hot summer months. Shasta tomatoes, peppers, blueberries, and corn all flourish in full shade or in shaded areas outside during the growing season. These plants are not meant for the indoor gardener. They should be planted as soon as you spot them in the garden and protected from the sun. Plant them just ahead of a planting fork so they will be protected from the sun as they spread out.
All herb plants have some leaves and some of them have long stems with shiny green foliage. The larger stems and glossy leaves are easier to grow in more open areas, while the smaller leafless ones prefer a shady spot to be planted. Planting herbs in a circle is a good idea because it makes more of an impact than planting them in individual pots. When the plant starts growing, its height will reach up to six feet. Wait for the flowers to appear then snip their stems neatly with scissors. This will encourage new shoots to grow.
Some of the culinary herbs that should be planted in shady spots are thyme, sage, oregano, basil and parsley. All three of these herbs have aromatic oils that provide a tasty aroma when used in cooking. Mint and tarragon are also favorites. When growing culinary herbs in shady spots, be sure to remove any dead leaves on a weekly basis. This will ensure they get all the sunlight they need.