Growing Herbal Garden - Westside Homes

What is a Herb?

Growing Herbs - Westside Real Estate

Herb growing guide and herbal glossary. What is old is new. Trends are showing that homeowners are growing their own herbs. Herbs are ancient plants. For centuries used for: medicinal purposes, fragrances, spiritual practices and culinary purposes. Presently herbs are grow as garden enhancers, for fragrances and cooking.
Herbs are the leafy, green part of aromatic plants. Cooks have options. Dried herbs can be purchased at your local market. In today’s health conscious world cooks are cooking with freshly grown herbs.Herbs can be grown at home. Herb are space-savers. Can be grown indoors or outdoors. Herbs can be grown in your kitchen or a special spot in your garden or patio. Outdoors herbs can make beautiful ornamental plants. Grown plant in clay pots or as a hanging plants. Where you choose to grow your plant is a personal choice but herbs gives you numerous options. Enrich your yard with fragrance beautiful herbs.

Starting a Herb Garden

Herb Garden

Seeding Indoors

Any small container will do. Make sure there are holes at the bottom of container for drainage. Your plant needs good drainage. Add your soil. I fertilize the soil before adding the seeds. Nutrients leak out of the soil . Place the seeds about ¼ of an inch from the top soil. Water well and cover with a plastic lid or clear plastic wrap. When I see healthy sprouts I remove the plastic cover. Two of the most important things to remember is during your seedling stage keep the soil moist at all times. Secondly, place in a sunny location in your home.

Seeding Outdoors
If you are planting directly outside choose a place only for your herbs. It maybe alongside other vegetables or flowers but seedlings must have full sunlight. Your outdoor seedlings need regular watering as well as fertilizer. If I am planting indoors or outdoor I like to use organic compost ensure healthy and flourishing plants. Never use any fertilizer that is not labeled for use on edible plants.

Planting and Growing Herbs Tips

Annual herbs are easy to start and inexpensive. Harvest to the plant’s full flavor. Limit pesticides to a minimum. I like to mix liquid soap and water spray pests. If this does not kill your pests check for non-toxic pesticides or pesticides used for edible plants.

Trimming Herbs
Once herbs are grown they have to be pruned. Since your will be using the herb for cooking there should not be a problem. If the herbs are not pruned they will grow tall and lanky. For a full healthy plant trim and prune regularly.

Designing Ideas

Herbs not limited to cooking can be used as ornamental plants. Herb plants are ornamental plants in the garden, potted or as hanging plants. The curly variety of Parsley makes a great edging plant. Bay laurel is a tall herb and can be potted and used at central points. Tri-color sage looks great in containers. Mint and Oregano tend to spread think about a hanging plant. Rosemary has great aroma edging herb for any walkway garden.

Herb Glossary

Arugula:
Mediterranean origin healthy green leafy vegetable. Used in salads. Arugula is a herb and not a lettuce. Annual growing elongated and lobar leaves. Young plant less peppery with a mild sweet flavor. - Contains vitamin C and vitamin K - Minerals copper and iron. There are small amounts of iron, calcium, manganese, phosphorus and calcium.

Bay:
Bay Laurel tree originated in Asia Minor. Cultivation spread into the Mediterranean and other countries with similar climates. Aromatic leaves used in soups, stews and braises. Bay leaves can be dried or fresh for cooking. The bay leaf does not develop full flavor until several weeks after picking and drying. Substitute: Thyme. Nice is small potted plants in patio, yard or kitchen.

Basil:

Originated in Asia. Cultivated in approximately 12 different varieties. Vegetables great with tomatoes. Easily growing plant dried or fresh basil used for flavoring. Can be used dried but best used as fresh plant for full flavoring. Leaves are used for flavoring. Have white flowering of medium size. Substitutes: Marjoram, Mint.

Cayenne Pepper:
Obtained from small fruited varieties of capsicum. Is a dull red color. Used in small amounts in vegetables, meats, salad dressing and cheese. Tangy pepper taste. Cayenne capsules used for nutritional health .

Chili Pepper:
Dark Red contains antioxidants and may retard bacterial growth. Dark red in color hot flavor.

Chives:
Smallest member of the onion family and has a mild onion flavor. Grow year-round. Easy herb to grow in the kitchen or garden. The plant grows in groups. The seed germinates well. Early in the year put seeds in pot keep warm and watered until little plant can survive outside. Place plant outside in organic compost mixed soil. Grow in sunny locations and does well in drain. Can survive in drought conditions but prefers moisture. Good with salads and Cold Plates. Substitutes: Scallions and Green Onions.


Cilantro:

Cilantro Plant
Mediterranean, Asian, South America and Caribbean Foods. Popular in Tex-Mex foods but also used in Indian and Thai cooking. A member if the parsley family. In ancient times used for medicinal and culinary purposes. Has contains Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Used in appetizers and main dishes. Substitutes: Flat-leaf


Cinnamon:

Cinnamon Sticks
Tan brown in color. Contains antioxidants and may retard bacterial growth. Has a pleasant bitter taste. Commonly used in baking, dessert and drink recipes.

- Cloves:

Aromatic dried flower buds dark brown in color. Grown primarily in Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India. Evergreen plant with large leaves and flowers. Primary cuisines worldwide are Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Adds flavor to meats, curries and fruits. Used in combination with other spices. Pairs well with cinnamon, allspice, vanilla, and basil.

Curry:
Used in Asian dishes.Contains antioxidants and may retard bacterial growth.


Dill:

Dill Blossom

Depending on the region dill can be grown perennial or annually. Originated in regions around the Mediterranean and South Russia. Dill herb used dried or fresh. The dill loses flavor potency when dried. The leaves are often called "dill weed". There is a difference between dill leaves and dill seeds. Both are herbs. Dill flavors: fish, chicken, eggs, salads, beans, carrots, cucumbers, cabbage, potatoes, pickles and sour cream or yogurt dips. Substitute: Caraway


Garlic:

Garlic Cloves
Member of onion family. Versatile culinary and medicinal plant. Used through the ages as "wonder drug". Staple into central Asia, Mediterranean, Africa and Europe. Known human uses of garlic is over 7,000 years old. Garlic was used to cure common colds, flu and extending to the plague in the Middle Ages. Garlic is a natural antibiotic. Aged garlic has powerful antioxidant effects. Many people do not like to taste or odor of raw garlic The health benefits may outweigh the taste and odor. For cooking seasoning for vegetables, meats, soup, stews and side dishes.

Hardy plant can be grown year-round. Grow in mild climates. Easy to grow. Plant cloves in ground with enough space for bulbs to mature. Plant about six weeks before frost. Harvest in spring. Combine soil with organic compost. Can also grown in decorative containers.


- Lavender

Beautiful Scented Lavender

Lavender is member of the mint family. Domestically grown in gardens and landscaping. Grown best in dry, well-drained, sandy or crush rocks mixed soil in full sun. English lavender is the most commonly grown. Lavender oils are extracted for commercial uses. Lavender oils have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Oils thought to soothe insect bites. Commercial perfumes are also produced from herb. Flowers produce high levels of nectar. Bees make high quality honey from lavender nectar. Lavender flowers are edible having floral scent and slightly sweet flavor. Occasionally, flowers are blended with herbal, green or black teas. In America both lavender scones and marshmallows are eaten. Dried flowers used as potpourris and fillers inside sachets. Dried flowers scent freshen rooms, linens and deters moths. Herb can be grown at home. Beautify your garden with lavender. Fresh flowers can be added to teas. Dried scent home as potpourris or fill sachets. Place filled sachets in storage spots to freshen and as pest repellant.


Like all herbs lavender has an ancient history. Found in southern Europe, Africa, and Mediterranean to the Canary Islands. In ancient time lavender seeds and flowers were placed under pillows to aid in relaxation and sleep. Lavender flower heads were combined with boiling water to aid relaxation. 

Lemon Grass: Thai Dishes, Chicken, Beef, Curry sometimes combined with coconut milk. Substitute: Lemon Zest

Lemon Verbena:
Lemon Verbena is a challenging plant to grow. Pairs well with:Fish, Poultry, Marinades, Salad Dressings, Jams, Sauces and Teas Substitute: Lemon Grass and Lemon Zest


Mint:

Mint Plant
Originated in Asia and Mediterranean regions. In many cultures mint is a symbol of hospitality and welcome. In the Middle East guest are served mint tea as a sign of welcome. In ancient Greece mint leaves were rub on the top of dining tables as a sign of welcome. Mints have been used as air fresheners in synagogues and temples. Mint is contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin B2. Mint also contains essential minerals manganese, copper, potassium and iron. Mint is a culinary treat in Lamb, Eggplant, Desserts Teas, Salads, Vegetables, Fruits, Desserts, Shakes and Drinks. Most common cooking mints are spearmint and peppermint. Substitute: Spicy Basil


Mustard:

Mustard Plant
Yellow flower herb. Young tender leaves are used for greens and for salads. Seeds are used as a ground spice in salads dressings, pickles, sauces, in some vegetables and cheeses.

Oregano:
Used to flavor beef, chicken, pasta, vegetables, soup and stews. Substitute: Marjoram, Mint, Basil

Parsley:
Two main groups of parsley are curly leaf or Italian flat leaf. Parsley is an annual plant. Cultivating takes about four to six weeks. Can be grown in pots. Plant can grow tall best location is in the yard. The parsley plant attract wild life and butterfly larvae. Popular herb that can be used in variety of ways. Parsley is common in Middle Eastern and European cuisines. Combine in fruit and vegetable salads, in sandwiches, in soup and gravy.

Pepper Grass or Cress:
Can be used in salads and sandwiches.


Peppermint:
Used in candies and toothpaste. Dried use as spice for drinks, desserts or as a tea. Peppermint has medicinal properties. Invasive plant and grows easily. As a companion plant grown around roses help keep aphids from roses. Peppermint and spearmint are the two most commonly used cooking mints. Some prefer spearmint because of its milder taste.

Red Pepper:



Red Pepper Plant - Herb

Red hot flavor herb. Can be ingredient in most foods. Ingredient in hot sauces. Pod and seeds nutritional benefits capsacin, vitamin A and vitamin C. Dried whole or grounded into powder. Fresh red pepper in cuisine recipes. Can be grown indoors for about 6 to 8 weeks. After indoor germination set outdoors. Total growing time approximately 15 to 18 weeks. Plant does not grow well in frost temperatures.

- Rosemary:

Creeping Rosemary Plant
The Latin name, Rosmarinus officinalis meaning,"dew of the sea". Herb that is ideal as a ornamental plant. The plant has a wonderful aroma. Rosemary herb is a common herb used in Mediterranean cuisines. Seeds can be difficult to germinate. It is recommended to purchase a nursery grown plant. In ancient times the herb was used for medicinal, spiritual rituals and seasoning for cooking. Burning rosemary branches was a practice for cleaning the air until the 20th century in French hospitals.


Sage
Ancient herb used for cooking and for medicinal purposes. Ancient Greeks and Romans used sage to preserve meats and for its medicinal properties. Ancient societies made numerous claims about sage. To name a few claims: conception, treat the plague, guard against witchcraft and enhance memory. These were ancient beliefs not facts. Nutritional benefits are contains vitamin A, calcium, iron and potassium. Low in calories and fats. Popular in Middle Eastern, Greek and Italian cuisines. Seasons poultry, beans, stuffing and pasta.


Spearmint:

Popular herb used in toothpaste and mouth wash. Use fresh or dried as food spice or teas. Medicinal uses. Small herb grows from mid summer to mid fall can reach heights of 13" to 18" and produces small blooms. Does well in cooler temperatures and needs approximately 6 hours of direct light per day. Two of the most popular cooking mints are spearmint and peppermint. Spearmint has a milder flavor than peppermint. Used in wide range of sweet, gourmet and savory dishes.






Stevia:

Stevia known as Sweet Leaf. An alternative to table sugar. Stevia about 300 times sweeter than table sugar. Comes in liquid and dried form. Grow in full sun light and water frequently. Stevia is 100% Paleo friendly sweetener. Has been used a a sweetener in Japan and China for hundred of years.

Sweet Basil:

Flavor of cloves. Originated in Asia and basil has approximately 12 varieties. Sweet basil has a sweet aroma derived from oils in the plant's stem. Flavors salads, soups and meats.






Tarragon:

French Tarragon Plant
Often used in French cooking. Difficult to germinate. Recommended to purchase nursery grown. A perennial plant prefers hot, sunny location. Do not over water. Goes dormant in the winter. Often referred to as, King of Herbs". Aromatic smell and taste disliked by many plant pest. Can be a protectorate for other plants against pest if near tarragon plant. Can reach 2.5 feet and in late fall yellow flowers appear. Used in: Chicken, Eggs, Fish Substitute: Anise, Fennel





Thyme:

Thyme is a member of the mint family. Thyme has an ancient history. In Ancient Egypt thyme was use for embalming. In Ancient Greece was used in baths. Thought to be a source of courage thyme was burnt in Ancient Greek temples. Roman used thyme to purify rooms. Also, added to cheese and liqueurs for it aromatic flavor. Europe in the Middle Ages thyme was given to warriors and knights to give the bearer courage. Most common types are Garden thyme and Lemon Thyme. Easy to grow in decoratively or home gardens. Grow in sunny hot location. Bonus, thyme is a pest repellent. Soil could be well drained. Perennial herb is drought tolerant plant. Grow by seeds or cuttings. Widely used culinary herb. Pairs well with soups, stews, eggs, vegetables, fish and lamb.

A home is more than brick and mortar. An attractive yard always enhances the appearance of any home. Add a few herbal plants in the yards. Herbs not only are great alternative plants but have dual purposes. Can be germinated in the home or yard. Herbs beautify the yard. Added benefits can be used for culinary purposes and as natural fragrances.

Buying or Selling

Gail MercedesCole
Realtor

(310) 853-9933