TOP 5 TIPS TO MAKE YOU AN HERB EXPERT

5TOP TIPS

TO MAKE YOU AN HERB EXPERT

Story by LESLIE COCHRAN, Farmers and Builders Ace Hardware

Bringing fragrance, fl avor, and freshness, herbs are a great way to brighten up your home and taste buds. A few favorite herbs can be found at any local garden center, farmer’s market, or most grocery stores. Herbs are not only great to bring fl avor to your favorite meal, but when planted near places you like to entertain outdoors their aromas can be enjoyed, and they are great at repelling insects.

Herbs can be planted near a grill or right outside the kitchen to make them always easily accessible. A quick snip for a spring cocktail, a favorite recipe, or a fl ower arrangement can bring instant gratifi cation and joy. From the pot to the table, herbs add fl air wherever you use them.

Containers:

Like many plants, herbs require their own space to grow and thrive. Small containers used for herbs make them easy to move and help prevent more invasive herbs, such as mint or lemon balm, from taking over. Terra cotta pots are the classic choice for growing herbs due to their porous nature that allows air and water to move through the walls. These pots will prevent soil disease and root rot. Ceramic and plastic pots will also work, but consider mobility, moisture requirements, and visual appeal when selecting a home for your herb.

Drainage:

Going hand in hand with containers, herbs need proper drainage. Herbs develop their most intense fl avor in dry conditions. Originating from the Mediterranean region, herbs are quite happy in conditions where they are not overwhelmed with moisture. By using the right quality potting mix, the herb’s soil should retain the right amount of moisture but can drain properly. When soil is aerated e ectively, it can prevent soil and nutrient loss, as well as damaging issues for the roots. There are ways to make your soil fi lled with more nutrients and drainage, such as adding compost and perlite.

Sunshine:

All plants require sunshine. Whether it is direct, indirect, or full, plants have their individual needs when it comes to basking in the sun. Herbs are sunloving, so the perfect amount for herbs is roughly six to eight hours of sunlight each day. Herbs utilize light to create their essential oils, which give them their fl avor. By giving an abundant amount of sunlight, the herb will reward you with a constant fl ow of crisp, pungent herbs.

Watering:

Though it might seem counterintuitive, herbs do need frequent watering. When it comes to watering your herbs, let your hands guide you to know when it needs some H2O. If the soil feels dry one to two inches below the surface, it is time to water. Since they can tolerate more dry soil, herbs can be misted with water every once in a while to provide humidity.

Pinch and Prune:

Don’t be afraid to use your herbs. That’s why they are there. The more you pinch and prune them, the more they will grow. Pinching old blooms and leggy stems encourages new growth. With leafy herbs, cutting or pinching them back helps encourage a bush habit. Many herbs are perennials, so they come back each year, bigger and better.

Recipe:

Mini Herb Cheeseballs

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• Two 8oz packages of cream cheese, at room temperature • 2 Tbsp crème fraîche • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce • 2/3 cup shredded white Cheddar cheese • 2/3 cup shredded hard cheese (such as

Gruyère or Parmesan) • Fine sea salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 1 & 1/2 cup chopped pistachios • 3/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (such as thyme, sage, rosemary, etc)

HOW TO MAKE:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper 2. Use a sturdy spatula to mix together the cream cheese, crème fraîche,

Worcestershire sauce, Cheddar cheese, and Gruyère. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Use a 1-in cookie scoop to portion out a ball of the cheese mixture. Roll the ball between your wet hands to create an evenly spherical cheeseball and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the cheese mixture. Cover and let chill for at least 2 hours. 4. Set out a shallow dish. Mix together the pistachios and herbs. Remove the cheese balls from the refrigerator and roll each ball in the mixture until coats. Transfer to a serving platter and repeat with the rest of the cheeseballs. Let sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before serving. OL

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