==== ==== The Quick Reference Guide To Herb Garden Plants http://bit.ly/plANT9 ==== ====
There are countless different types of herb garden plants out there. All herbs have a unique set of properties and can be used for very specific purposes. Herbs, like all plants, come in annuals, biennials and perennials. Herbs in these three categories must be cared for a particular way. Before growing your own herbs, it is a good idea to do some reading on its particular needs and preferences. This article is going to provide you with some background information on the different types of herb garden plants, how to properly care for them and what they can be used for. Herb garden plants in the annuals category must be re-planted every year because they will not survive the winter. They are usually killed by frost. These are: basil, cilantro and summer savory to name a few. Perennial herbs are the ones that will survive the long winter and return every spring. Some common perennial herb garden plants are: winter savory, chives, oregano and sage. Biennial herbs last for two growing seasons before they die. In the first season they only grow leaves and in the second season they produce flowers and seeds. Some common biennials are: parsley, primrose, angelica, fox glove and caraway. Biennial herbs are a little stubborn about how they can be grown. They don't like to be transplanted so make sure you sow their seeds directly into the soil in late spring and remember that wherever you plant them is where they will have to stay for two years. All herb garden plants should be planted in fine grained, well drained soil. Soil should only be slightly wet. Adding sand to your soil mixture will help keep the water content stable. Plant the seeds shallow and tamp the soil over top of them when finished. Remember that the finer the seed, the shallower it should be planted. Placing a wet piece of burlap over the soil will help keep moisture in. This is especially useful for germinating your herb seeds. Herb garden plants are also categorized according to their use. These categories are: culinary herbs, medicinal herbs, aromatic herbs, tea herbs and ornamental herbs. Culinary herbs are by far the most common of these categories. They are used to add flavor to meals. Since they are usually quite strong in flavor as well as smell, they are usually used in small amounts. Some common culinary herbs you are probably familiar with are: parsley, basil, oregano, sage and so on. Medicinal herbs are herb garden plants grown to cure a specific minor ailment or just to promote well being in the body. They have been used for these purposes by ancient people for as far back as recorded history goes. If you are planning to grow medicinal herbs, make sure you are well aware of what the effects of your particular herbs are because eating some herbs can be dangerous. Some people grow herb garden plants purely for their aromatic properties. They can be grown
indoors to make your home smell nice or they can be dried to make potpourri which will keep your home smelling nice for a long time. Lemon verbena and lavender are some very common aromatic herbs. You may be surprised to know that many perfumes are made with these herb garden plants as ingredients. Other herb garden plants are grown for their beautiful flowers and foliage. Like most herbs, they can be grown indoor or outdoor to add a touch of beauty to their surroundings. Some common herbs of this category are borage, chicory and valerian. There are hundreds if not thousands of different herb species out there. Many can fall into two or more of these categories at a time. Mint for example is a culinary herb but can also be considered an aromatic herb and not only that, it can even be used to control pests in your garden. With so many varieties to choose from, you can find herb garden plants that are perfect for your needs with a little research!
Thomas Rittenhouse is an herb gardening enthusiast and enjoys helping others in this amazing hobby. His new website, "Herb-Gardening-Center.com" [http://www.herb-gardening-center.com/] teaches herb gardeners everything they need to know about starting and maintaining a thriving home herb garden.
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