Saturday 20 September 2008

Growing Fresh Herbs - What You Need To Know

Do you want to provide your family with wholesome food and save money in the process? Well growing fresh herbs is the way to create a tasty meal and nutritious meal. The effort is well worth it as it takes very little effort on your behalf in growing the fresh herbs and the rewards of growing culinary herbs in food cannot be beaten.

Growing Fresh Herbs - Your Choice

Start by choosing the herbs you plan to use often if you’re growing fresh herbs for the first time. For example, if Italian cooking is your strong point then oregano would be a good first choice as it complements tomato based recipes. Other herbs to consider would be caraway, parsley and chervil that go well with soups salads and stews. Basil, marjoram and tarragon work with meat dishes while cilantro adds zest to soups and beans. Rosemary and sage add savory flavor to stuffing and chamomile and sweet woodruff make fragrant teas.

Options for Growing Fresh Herbs

Depending on how much time you have and the garden space will dictate what herbs you will want to plant and harvest in your garden. But here are several options for growing fresh herbs.

Your Traditional Garden

If you have space in your back garden for a conventional garden and you have an assortment of different herb plants to grow, then creating a traditional patch in your backyard would be the best way. For convenience sake try and keep the herb garden close to the house so you can step outside and quickly cut some herbs. Make sure the plot is in an area that has direct sunlight and is well-drained.

The Indoor Garden

If you lack space then growing fresh herbs, in an indoor environment, can work well. For an indoor garden you will only be able to grow a few herbs. Make sure that you select a sunny window and a stable windowsill to place them on. Check for pests and water occasionally and the plants should flourish and produce flavorful herbs

The Container Garden

The container garden gives you the option of having a larger quantity of herbs that can be placed outside. The containers only requirement is that they can provide good drainage. This type of garden is considered transportable as the containers used for growing fresh herbs can be moved at any time required. Container gardens are convenient for anyone who does not have the time to keep an actual garden but desires to grow a large amount of herbs.

For more on herbs and herb gardens visit: http://www.nametheherb.com

Spice Up Your Cooking With Fresh Culinary Herbs From The Garden

By Jeff Glasser

Nothing can make a difference in a meal like adding fresh herbs instead of dried herbs. You can get fresh herbs at your grocery store but they do not store for very long and they can be expensive. Creating your own culinary herb garden is one alternative. Most herbs are easy to grow and maintain and can continue to provide for you throughout the course of the year.

With small pots and a few packages of seeds you can begin growing your own culinary herb garden right in your own kitchen. If you would prefer to keep your plants outside you will have no problem creating a culinary herb garden there either.

Plant Different Types Of Culinary Herbs In Your Garden

It is fun to create a culinary herbal garden that features multiple types of plants. One popular herb plant that should certainly be in a culinary garden is sweet basil. Basil smells wonderful when it's growing and brings so much additional flavor to meals when added fresh. Dried basil is generally unable to capture the true taste of basil. If you like to make your own pesto now you can have your own fresh basil to use in it.

Growing rosemary in your garden serves two purposes. Today it is predominantly used in a culinary fashion. Foods in the Mediterranean region are commonly seasoned with Rosemary. As an added bonus rosemary is a source of iron and calcium. Rosemary can also be used in a medicinal form as well.

You might want to make sure you have some Thyme planted in your culinary herb garden if you enjoy Greek, French, or even Spanish cooking. This herb is used to add flavor to a variety of meats and adds a little flavor kick to eggs. Thyme also has antiseptic qualities that have been used for centuries.

Sage makes another great addition to a culinary herb garden and has the added bonus of producing beautiful flowers. Sage is said to have numerous medicinal benefits as well.

Whatever you decide to plant, do not forget to have a little fun with your garden. With the different varieties of plants you have selected create a unique herb garden design. Organize them according to how they are used. Just make sure wherever your herb plants are located they are meeting the requirements they need to grow and have the appropriate amount of space. Otherwise your hard work will be wasted and you will be forced to start all over again.

Nothing can make a difference in a meal like adding fresh herbs. With tiny pots and a some packages of seeds you can start cultivating your own culinary herb garden right in your own kitchen

Get The Family Involved With A Chia Herb Garden

By Jeff Glasser

With the new chia herb garden growing your herbs has never been easier. Everything you need to grow your herbs comes packaged with this set. With the chia herb garden, growing herbs is so easy it offers a great way to get children involved in the fun. Everyone can have their own herb to take care of as each kit comes with multiple pots and seeds. From seed to in your food, this kit will provide your family with a lot of fun as you grow your own herb garden for the kitchen.

What Comes With A Chia Herb Garden

Four small terra cotta pots with matching saucers comes with each chia herb garden kit. Saucer liners are also included which will help prevent water from leaking through the terra cotta saucer. Their simple decorative design will look great in your kitchen.

You have a little bit of a choice as to what you want to plant in the terra cotta pots as six different types of seed packets are provided. The varieties of seeds included with your chia herb garden are dill, sweet basil, curled parsley, chives, cilantro, and sweet marjoram.

A plant marker for each of the six varieties of herbs can be used to identify which pot contains which herb.

Also, packaged in the set are four specially designed chia growing sponges. These will provide the medium in which your seeds will grow.

The most important piece of your chia herb garden kit is going to be the directions. In the direction booklet you will find everything you need to know about growing and maintaining your herbs from seed to maturity. Also included in the direction booklet are a number of recipes that incorporate the fresh herbs you are growing in your chia herb garden.

How Do I Grow My Chia Herb Garden

You can easily plant your chia herb garden in a few simple steps. The first thing you will need to do is moisten the chia growing sponges for each of the pots. Drop one into each of the four pots once they have taken form.

After you have chosen your four seed varieties take the first package and distribute the seeds on top of the chia growing sponge. Continue the same process for the other three seed packages.

You will begin to see your seeds sprout with regular watering. Once they reach a certain size you will be able to transplant them to an outdoor garden if you wish too. The instruction book covers transplanting if you decide to do it.

Growing your herbs has never been easier with the new chia herb garden. This set comes packaged with everything you need to grow your herbs...Browse more no cost articles at www.organicgardening.jsgenterprises.com.