Choosing Different Types Of Herbs For Growing
There are many types of herbs for growing. One thing is for sure they are plentiful! Some people enjoy growing specific types of herbs whereas some may find enjoyment in growing a large variety of herbs. Many novice gardeners I find typically start gardening with a specific herb genre in mind; be it culinary, medicinal, aromatic or ornamental herbs in which we will discuss moving forward.
Herbs can grow in different ways, some grow from stems, seeds or divisions. I personally love to plant seeds and watch the life cycles of my plants from beginning to end.
Culinary Herbs are used for cooking and are a chef’s best and most pleasurable asset. Culinary herbs can put a nice kick to any dish including but not limited to Asian, Mexican, African, American, Indian, & Cuban dishes. Whatever your favorite cuisine is, when you begin to grow your herbs you can categorize your culinary herb in groups by (Asian Mexican, American, Salsa, etc). It is always a good idea to become familiar with how your plant looks, taste and smell; and if you really want to get savvy, know them by their scientific or Latin name. The following are some images of culinary herbs full bloom:
Sage
Basil:
Oregano:
Thyme:
Dill:
Medicinal herbs were the first herbs I started growing. I have always loved the organic elements of life and healing all bodily ailments naturally with herbs from the earth. Medicinal herbs have been used for thousands of years to cure all types of ailments. The following are some images of medicinal herbs you may choose to grow:
Echinacea:
Chamomile:
Lavender:
Then we have herbs that some use specifically for aromatic or ornamental purposes. You can use an array of herbs for this purpose it is totally up to you and your personal preference. I will have to say that experimenting with aromatic herbs can be a very fun and exciting hobby. Many herb plants produce bright vibrant colors that when combined appropriately can accentuate ones room wonderfully. Blends such as hyssop, geranium, chamomile, lavender and lemon balm makes for a beautiful blend and also creates a wonderful aroma for the home. I often times use this combination as a house warming or holiday gift for my friends and family!
When choosing your herbs for growing it is important to be mindful of the possibility of pests and how to control them. Organic controls can be found at most garden centers. These controls include insecticidal oils and insecticidal soaps. If your preference is to stay away from organic controls you can opt to planting specific herbs together to repel damaging insects. For instance, if you have really bad ants you could plant mints and wormwood together. If you have really bad gnats and mosquitoes then you can plant Lavender, Lemon Balm, Basil, Mints, Mugwort and Lemon Thyme together; also, Coriander is really good at warding off spider mites. So, there are many combinations of herbs that you can choose to plant along side each other to keep your garden pest free without having to use traditional chemicals or even organic pest controls.
Whichever herbs you choose to grow be sure you understand your herbs specific needs and cater to those needs to a “T”. This way, you are sure to have a successful home garden that will continuously provide you with some of the most wholesome and simple pleasures that nature has to offer.
Janet Suzalski
