Gardeners love gardening herbs and spices because it adds a lot of flavor to their meals. However, if you are new to gardening, you might not know what kinds of herbs and spices you should grow. For example, if you are growing herbs for cooking, you want to grow those with a strong aroma and taste. If you are growing them for tea, you will probably want to choose herbs with a delicate flavor.
When you plant the seeds of these herbs in the soil, you will need to know how quickly they will germinate and grow. For instance, mint needs three weeks to grow from the seedling, while dill is fine after one month. However, for people who do not live in very mild climates, another method to preserve the taste of summer is by drying. Drying certain choose herbs for cooking will not only save money, it will also increase the quality and quantity of your fresh culinary herbs.
For example, dried sage, thyme and Rosemary can be used to season many foods, although thyme is primarily used for the seasoning of grilled chicken and beef. The drying of these herbs makes it easier for you to use fresh herbs in your favorite recipes. You can also use these herbs to season homemade soups and stews, as well as in salad dressings and fruit juices.
Sweet Bay is a perennial herb that comes in various colors, such as pink, yellow and white. It is a perennial herb that grows to about five feet tall. The large leaves have sharp, black edges and the flowers are trumpet-like. When growing Sweet Bay, consider only those herbs with a strong flavor such as lemon grass, sweet bay leaf or lemon balm. These will bring out the flavor in your cooking quite nicely.
Sage is a perennial herb that can grow up to two feet high and prefers a warm, sunny location. It is a low growing perennial that is ideal for growing in containers. Unlike other culinary herbs and spices, sage has very few growing requirements. It is a perennial that is very versatile when it comes to growing conditions. It can be either a grower or a cutthroat gardener. However, if you want to grow it as a cutthroat, then it is recommended that you poultice of the roots with sage leaves and let them remain on the stems during the winter.
Mint and chives are two of the most popular culinary herbs and spices. They are easy to grow and will reward you with a burst of tasty flavor each year. Mint can be potted or can be grown in a garden. For potted mint, dig a hole about 2 feet deep and cover with potting soil. Your mint will need low moisture so keep this in mind when deciding where to plant it.
Oregano is a great choice for your kitchen because of its peppery and spicy flavor. To harvest your Oregano flower buds, cut off about a quarter inch of the stem and discard the leaves. Once the herb is exposed, dry the flowers by putting them in a paper towel with a little water and then drying in the sun over about a half an hour. Harvest your Oregano after about six hours.
Thyme, or winter savory as it is often called, is a perennial herb that requires very little attention. Thyme has a slight scent and taste to it and is mostly used as a spice. It comes in a variety of colors, but the most common is a white groundcover with grayish blue leaves. Thyme may be potted, but if you prefer, it can also be grown in the garden. To harvest your Thyme, cut off the flower buds and dry on paper.