Growing Herbs in Garden by Tom Talbott

When things go right, you just can't beat it! Some herbs are just like that. What you need to do is create a location for your herb to thrive, focusing on water, sunlight and soil condition.

Here's a list of herbs that after you start them and get them going, they will do the rest:

* Borage: Boil the leaves to reduce the chewy texture, because without this, the long, fuzzy and prickly leaves are not easily edible. The borage herb loves dry, dark soil and full sun-the blue or purple star-patterned flowers are sweet as can be. You can begin with seeds in mid-to-late spring and by mid-summer you'll have all the borage you can handle.

* Caraway: The leaves of this biennial are a lot like the foliage of a carrot during its first season. In the second year, it will display beautiful pink or white umbrella-shaped flower clusters on 1 to 3 feet tall stems. Give your caraway plant full-sunlight and also make sure it has well-drained soil for the best outcome. Plant the seeds outdoors in spring or fall. Since your herb is a self-seeder, you can let the dead blooms fall to the ground and you will not need to resow it for the next growing season.

* Dill: Dill is among my favorite herbs to look at because of its fine, fern-like leaves. Dill will grow fast for you as long as you give it with well-drained soil and full sun. It will grow to a height of more than 3 feet tall, but you can start harvesting it to eat once it reaches a foot. The yellow flowers on the umbrella-like tops will look beautiful in floral arrangements and can also be used as seasoning. Dill will thrive well from seed and because this plant grow fast you won't need to start the germination process in advance.

* Fennel: The adult version of fennel appears to be a lot like dill, but its licorice taste is nothing like dill. If you plant your seeds in early summer, you will have a mature, four-foot-tall plant in only a few weeks. Plant them in full sun in well-drained soil for the best outcome. The seeds are the best part. You will want to harvest them before they go fully brown. Dry them and use in baked breads, soups and stews.

* Lemon Balm: If you like the sweet, lemony aroma of lemon balm, you will be pleased to know that this perennial enjoys light, shady, well-drained soil. I like its heart-shaped leaves. Don't bother with seeds, buy a little herb at the greenhouse and let it grow for you. You'll soon be able to divide your lemon balm and replant it. Don't feel like you have to put the new part beside the old one, because lemon balm will spread through self-sowing. Snip off the dead flowers to prevent lemon balm from self-sowing.

* Sweet Cicely: Here is a perennial herb that appreciates light shade, so give it that and loose, rich dirt and it will take off from there. Plant it with organic compost and mulch to support sweet cicely's growth. Since sweet cicely is a self-sowing plant you'll only need to buy the first couple of herbs and it will do the rest.

If these aren't enough to get you going, you can try German chamomile and chicory.

Good luck with your herb gardening. Be sure to let me know how your herb garden grows.

About the Author

Tom Talbott is an Herb Garden enthusiast. Here is more information on Herb Garden Information. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Herb Gardens.