My Herb Garden
I have grown different herbs over the last several years that I have had an herb garden. I have a perennial garden that has:
Lavender,
Sage,
Thyme,
Oregano,
Chives,
And
Spearmint.
Each year, I plant Basil. It usually grows very well.
This herb garden is on the East side of my house, and gets shade in the afternoon.
This year I started a second herb garden on the opposite side of my house. I picked herbs I had grown before –
Rosemary ( 2 varieties),
Tarragon,
Pink Thyme
–as well as new plants. I have
Sweet Myrtle,
Sweet Woodruff,
Silver Germander,
Rue,
Winter Savory,
Parsley,
Ginger Mint,
Arrugula,
And
Nasturtium.
I dry my herbs by tying them in bundles with string, and hanging them around the house in bunches to dry. It usually takes about 3 weeks, and makes the house smell wonderful. Chives lose their color if dried this way, but you can dry Chives, as well as other herbs, in the microwave. Simply spread them out on paper towels, and turn the microwave on for two or three minutes. Check the herbs. If they are not dry, continue microwaving for 1 or 2 minutes until they are dried. The length of time you need to microwave will depend on the power of your microwave and the amount of herbs you are trying to dry at one time.
Then, store your herbs in sealed plastic bags or in jars with lids. Herbs can also be frozen in ice cubes-great for soups and stews-or stored fresh in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks.
Herbs are easy to grow. They usually don’t like rich soil, and will grow in bright sun (except Basil) or shade. The more you pinch off parts of the plant to use, the more the plant will grow.
I look forward to the Spring each year. My Sage, Thyme, Chives, and Lavender bloom, and the garden smells wonderful. I’m hoping the second garden I started this year will be as beautiful and long-lasting as my original one.
