Tip of the Week: Herbal Delights
Posted in Gardening Tips on July 20th, 2009 by Sonia Uyterhoeven – Be the first to comment |
Sonia Uyterhoeven is Gardener for Public Education. Join her each weekend for home gardening demonstrations on a variety of topics in the Home Gardening Center. |
The rule of thumb with most herbs is the more you neglect them the better they grow. Most people kill their herbs with kindness by over-watering and over-fertilizing them. If you care too much for your herbs, you will only end up with powdery mildew and rotting leaves.
Herbs generally thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. The only work they require is for you to pinch them back so that they don’t get leggy and go to flower. The handfuls left from pinching back can go straight from the garden into the kitchen.
While most herbs prefer a sunny site to grow in, some herbs thrive in a slightly shady spot. Some candidates for afternoon shade are parsley (Petroselinum), mints (Mentha), lemon balm (Melissa), and tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus).
Cilantro (Coriandrum), chervil (Anthriscus), and dill (Anethum) are short-lived annuals. They go to seed after a few weeks, so multiple sowings a few weeks apart will ensure a good supply. They prefer the cooler seasons of spring and fall. read more »