When choosing which herb to plant, you may think, "So many herbs, so little time!" But once you plant your own herbs, you will understand their charm. There is nothing more satisfying than the fresh fragrance of mint wafting from the garden on a warm summer night, or putting freshly picked basil on your favorite Italian food. This guide eliminates guesswork when deciding which types of herbs deserve a place in your garden (or on your terrace or windowsill). Here are the information of the 13 herbs and you can choose according to your taste.
1. Borage
As a little-known herb, borage deserves more love. The leaves of borage have a mild cucumber flavor and are an excellent addition to tea or lemonade. It is usually called the star flower because it will open beautiful blue flowers in midsummer, which makes it not only a functional herb, but also a beautiful landscape in the landscape. More importantly, borage is an excellent companion for other plants, because it can drive away insects and diseases, and attract beneficial pollinators. Grow borage with strawberries, cucumbers, gourds, tomatoes and cabbage to form an additional line of defense.
If you have enough space, borage is the best choice for beginners. Mature plants can reach a width of 3 feet and grow deep taproots, so they can only be planted underground or outdoors in containers 3 feet or more wide.
2. Chives
How do we love leeks? Let's count. A member of the genus Allium, which includes garlic, leeks, onions and other food with similar taste. The flowers and stems of chives add unparalleled vitality to various dishes. They also grow easily. Just give the plants enough sunlight, whether indoors, on the terrace or in the landscape.
3. Lavender
It looks beautiful, smells good, and has a wide range of uses - lavender has a lot to love. ' English 'lavender is the most popular, and its unique rich fragrance makes it an ideal choice for tea, flower fragrance, sachet, etc. It may take several months for the seeds to germinate indoors, so sowing may be more suitable for more experienced gardeners. If you are new to gardening, you can quickly get started by ordering lavender plants online. Although lavender prefers a warm and relatively dry environment (after all, it comes from the Mediterranean), you can plant it in an indoor garden or container, provided that the drainage is good, the sun is sufficient and there is not much H2O.
4. Oregano
Oregano is a simple herb, which is suitable for all experience levels of growing indoors or outdoors in containers or on the ground (be sure to check the mature size of the plant and provide enough space for its propagation). You can start sowing indoors 6 to 10 weeks before the average last frost date, then transplant seedlings, or directly sow when the weather is warm. No matter which method you choose, oregano will spread into a fragrant silver green carpet. Its leaves add new flavor to Italian and Mediterranean dishes, or serve as a seasoning for your favorite protein.
5. Chamomile
Chamomile is a favorite tea and fragrance ingredient. Its flowers are small, like white daisies. The most common varieties are "Germany" and "Rome". Both have excellent aromas and flavors that you can grow in containers. However, "German" chamomile is an annual plant with rapid reproduction, while "Roman" chamomile is a perennial ground cover plant. If you are new to gardening, "German" chamomile is a good choice. You can easily start from the seed. Plant it indoors or outdoors as a potted plant, or in the ground.
6. Dill
As you may have guessed, dill is usually used for pickling purposes, but you can also use it to add flavor to light dishes such as potatoes. Technically speaking, dill is a biennial plant (meaning that a single plant can only survive two growing seasons), but its self seeding speed is fast, so once you plant dill, you are likely to always have one. This plant needs space to roam, so it can only be planted underground. Regardless of your skill level, dill is easy to sow directly after the frost danger is over.
7. Basil
When you think of basil, you will probably think of "Genoa", which is the Italian favorite for making perfect garlic sauce. However, there are many other basils to try, including "lemon", "Thailand" and even boxwood like basil.
The easy to please basil is a good choice for beginners and experienced gardeners. Grow basil in sufficient sunlight. Depending on your garden planting area, plant it on the ground or in containers after the frost threat has passed. It can even work in a windowsill garden – just note the full size of your variety and be ready to change pots if necessary.
8. Lemon Verbena
Lemon verbena is a must-have for any outdoor herb garden. Interplant it with shrubs as a border or in a large container to make it glow. This tropical plant is a perennial plant in Zone 8 or higher. If you live in a cold climate, you should take it indoors for winter. Start with indoor seeds or transplant fermented plants. If you plant directly, it will not have enough time to grow to full size at the end of the growing season. The lemon flavor leaves of the pollinating magnet are used for pickling or making a cup of fragrant tea.
9. Parsley
Parsley is mainly divided into two categories: curly and flat. Curly parsley is usually downgraded to an ornament, although its mild taste can provide a lot. Flat parsley often has a bolder taste, making it an important part of many salad dressings, marinades, etc.
Parsley is the staple food for gardeners of all skill levels, and can be grown indoors, in containers or on the ground. Start from indoor seeds 8 to 10 weeks before the average last frost date, or directly sow or transplant seedlings when there is no chance of frost. As a reward, it will attract a large number of beneficial insects and help drive away pests from other crops.
10. Thyme
It is very suitable for beginners and people with limited space. Thyme is suitable to be placed indoors or in flower pots on the terrace. Start with seeds six to eight weeks before the average last frost date, or transplant seedlings outdoors when the weather is warm. Give thyme plenty of sunshine and well drained soil. It will give you a classic, earthy taste and make you feel like a cooking expert.
11. Rosemary
When you plant rosemary, you are preparing for a winter full of comfortable and delicious soups, stews and meat dishes. Provide warm growing conditions for this Mediterranean native plant in containers or on the ground. In the pot, make sure it has well drained soil - you can even provide juicy mixtures for those who like to bask in the sun. In addition to the requirements for soil, rosemary is also a hard-working herb, which can be successfully planted by any gardener.
12. Pineapple Sage
Although the soft and soft leaves of traditional sage have many favorite places, please consider making room for "pineapple" sage. Its bright red flowers and fruity leaves will add a touch of fun and surprise to your landscape. It will also attract hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. This easy to plant herb can be planted indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the average last frost date. Once the frost is over, it can be directly planted or transplanted outdoors. Use it to make water, lemonade or your favorite cocktail.
13. Mint
If you want to ensure that at least one plant will survive in your garden this year, choose peppermint. In fact, be careful where you grow it - if you cut it irregularly, this almost indestructible spreader can quickly occupy a piece of land. Instead, choose an indoor herb garden or an outdoor container, where its roots (underground runners) can only stretch so far.
Go beyond the classic candy cane varieties and try interesting variations, such as "mint chocolate" or even "pineapple" mint. Because it is spread through the rhizome, we plan to buy a starter. And if you finally get a good harvest, you can always store fresh herbs for winter use.
Whether you want to fill the windowsill or the whole outdoor plot, there are a lot of herbs that can increase the texture, color, fragrance, and the benefits of accompanying planting - and of course, the flavor - you just can't find dry herbs. Now that you have narrowed your list, you can begin planning your own vanilla gardening adventure.