Some of the most delightful fragrant herbs are found in Mediterranean countries like Greece and Italy. These types of plants include basil, parsley, mint, anise, marjoram, and tarragon. You may think that it is impossible to grow any of these in the United States, but there are ways to cultivate them here just as they are in Europe and other Mediterranean areas. In fact, you can learn how to grow some of these plants that are not native here.
Fragrant herb gardening in the United States is quite easy, too. Some people even grow herbs in a small pot in their yard, while others place them in small containers on a patio or in a back yard. With just a little effort, over time, your fragrant herbs will perfume the air around you and be ready to be used in your kitchen. Growing fragrant herbs from seeds can have several advantages, whether you plan to cook with what you grow or simply enjoy your plants in other ways.
Most of us grew up with garlic, an essential for any number of dishes. Now, you might not want to buy a whole head of garlic for this very reason – keeping the smell down. However, when growing herbs from seeds, you can trim the leaved off the top and keep the bulb intact for use. The aroma from the bulb remains, and it is easy to control the level of fragrance from each clove. Your family will love the fresh smell all year long.
If you want to grow herbs indoors rather than in a garden bed, you will need a window box in which to put the plantings. An indoor, aromatic garden cannot be planted in an area that is exposed to winter winds. Similarly, it is always best to choose the right location for a garden bed that grows fragrant herbs for you because it needs to receive at least 6 hours of light per day, and it should have some natural light filtering through during the cooler parts of the day.
When planting chives, you want to place them as close to the root structure as possible. Because chives are full sun plants, you do not want to grow them in areas where they are never exposed to the sun. Chives should be planted in an area facing south. If the chives are grown in your kitchen window, you also want them placed in an area where the windows face east or west. If the chives are growing in your herb garden, your planting area should face north.
In growing thyme, you want to be sure that you don’t prune the thyme leaves too much. Thyme is very easy to grow, and will grow well in many areas. Because it has a strong, woody flavor, it pairs well with many different types of cuisines. It is often used as a spice when cooking, although people also use thyme for their perfumes and potpourri because of its woodsy aroma. When planting time, make sure you don’t plant it up against a fence or other structures because the time will be destroyed.
Rosemary is another herb that can be planted throughout your home. It is a perennial herb and comes in many different forms. This means it should have good soil with lots of light, but it should be well-drained to keep the roots from becoming dry. Rosemary should be planted in an area facing the east or west and it should receive plenty of sunlight during the hottest part of the day. One of the reasons Rosemary is so popular is that it smells wonderful when you burn it, making it a great addition to your herbal potpourri.
All of these herbs make wonderful additions to your kitchen pantry, especially when you harvest them early in the year. However, if you harvest these plants before they bloom, their fragrance may not be as intense. In order to get the best scent from the garden plants you are growing, you need to know how to recognize the best scent. For instance, sage smells like nutmeg, but if you try to blend sage with nutmeg, it will end up overpowering the nutmeg and giving your recipe an unnatural smell.