GARDENING
Kate Russell
VERSATILE PLANTS Herbs such as tarragon can be an attractive addition to any landscape.
Productive plants grow well in local climate By KATE RUSSELL
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f you grow nothing else, grow herbs. Most herbs require a lot of sunlight and good drainage. They grow well in containers, are resilient, productive and attractive. Any of these herbs can be grown in your landscape: • Basil loves our hot summers and grows easily from seed. Pinch stems off where two leaves emerge to stimulate multiple stem growth. Avoid overhead watering. • Chives can be grown on a window
sill or outdoors. The onionscented flowers are edible. Chives should be planted 12-18 inches apart and will spread. • Cilantro grows easily from seed. Plants can reach 18-24 inches and should be spaced 10 inches apart. Transplant cilantro seedlings gently to prevent them from going to seed right away. Unless you want those seeds, known as coriander. • Dill creates lovely 2-4 feet ferny fronds. Place plants 12 inches apart. As a biennial, dill takes two years to go to seed. Those
PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE | MAY 28 -JUNE 3, 2021
Herb garden
seeds can be used in cooking or allowed to generate new plants. • Mint loves shady, moist spots, and can grow in full sun. Mint spreads fast, so containers are a good idea. Start mint from seeds, tender new growth, or rooted stems. • Oregano grows best in poor soil with good drainage. They need very little water and grow easily from seed. Don’t expect much flavor at first. It takes time and hardship for oregano to reach its full potential. Leaves should be harvested after flowers appear. • Parsley is a nutritious, biennial kitchen mainstay. It has a taproot, so containers should be deep. Parsley can be grown in full sun or partial shade. • Rosemary grows best from cuttings placed in rich soil and watered lightly and frequently until established. Rosemary plants can become quite large, so plant accordingly. • Sage prefers rich clay loam and can reach 3 feet wide and tall. Sage needs plenty of nitrogen, so feed regularly. Harvest leaves before the plant flowers for the best flavor. • Tarragon has shallow, spreading roots, making it a good container plant. Only after leaves are dried does the scent emerge. Tarragon can reach 2-3 feet. It prefers a little shade during the hottest part of the day. Propagation is easiest through root division. • Thyme comes in upright and trailing varieties, and in several different scents. It can be difficult to grow from seed, so start with a seedling or cutting. Thyme performs best if left alone. It grows well in containers. Thyme can reach 12-18 inches and should be placed 18-24 inches apart. Since thyme grows slowly, weed control is important while young. Whether you create a formal knot herb garden, collect a bunch of containers in a sunny spot, or start with one herb and grow from there, herbs have a place in your landscape.
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