The reason I started my own kitchenherb garden many years ago was because I just could not abide by those commercially bought herbs any more. I felt my meals were missing something and with using fresh herbs I noticed the difference immediately.
For years and years I used to only use commercially dried herbs but over time I found that the flavors became less and less concentrated, to the point where I stopped using them because it just seemed like a waste of time.
That is when I thought that I must get to and grow a herb garden.
What type of herb garden should you grow?
Over the years I have had a herb garden outside my front door with a good variety of herbs and in other instances I have had a window sill herb garden when we were living in temporary accommodation and in later years I have tended to grow my herbs in containers because I keep them with my bonsai plants for ease of watering.
You can see how each living condition will give different people the opportunity to create different sized herb gardens. When the family were all living at home is when I had the larger selection and in the outdoor garden, but as they have left the nest I have reduced my selection and use the container method for growing.
What selection should you grow?
The selection of herbs you choose and grow will depend on your cooking style.
For example, I personally like salads and roasts so now I grow a lot of basil, parsley, mint, chives, rosemary and thyme, plus a few others at times. Many people I know like cooking Asian meals so they grow herbs like coriander, marjoram and other popular Asian herbs.
Your time also needs to be taken into consideration when choosing the herbs to grow. Most herbs grow very easily but others take more care so consideration does need to be given to the amount of time you can give them.
When should I grow my herbs?
Some herbs will grow all year round but the majority of herbs either dies back in winter or don't grow very much. Where you live will have an impact on whether you can grow through winter or not. Obviously if you have very cold winters herbs won't grow outside, but if you live in the more tropical climates then many of them will manage to struggle through the winter.
It is possible to start growing herbs prior to spring by starting them in seed boxes inside and slowly acclimatize them to the outside during the first weeks of spring, eventually planting them in full sunlight. This is how you will get a start to having fresh herbs throughout summer. Different herbs are only picked for their seeds, like dill or when a bulb has formed, like fennel.
Keep in mind that herbs are weeks and they really do thrive on being harvested. If a few weeks have passed and you have not plucked any herbs, give them a quick trim to keep the new leaves coming. When you grow your kitchen herb garden only a few meters from the kitchen door you will find that you will use them more than if you have them right at the back of the garden.
Copyright (c) 2009 Kaye Dennan
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