Herbs
 

Now that I'm totally on board with this raised bed deal, I'm planning to build another one dedicated to herbs. What I need are suggestions for kitchen garden plants that cellarites have found useful. I'm already a basil freak but if anybody has a particular variety they like make it known. So what else do we like mints... cilantro?

Oh. You're talking about the eaten kind. Sorry, I didn't look at the category of the thread.

You need to start working on that .56%.

Hell, G, if yer looking for herbs to eat, what about cannabis? I understand it's a fine ingredient when prepared properly.

I don't know what it is about cilantro, but it just has such a yummy taste with food...by itself it is horrible.

You better start working on that 99.44%.

The kitchen garden is by definition close to the kitchen. You can't grow dope on your own property, "wouldn't be prudent." State land is your best bet, then you can watch the state cops seize the state property for sale. :) None of which is meant to imply that cannabis is suitable for any but traditional uses.

Ummm... any herb ideas?

It really makes a salsa.

If you like Rosemary, you *must* grow it in your herb garden. There is absolutely no comparison between the dried stuff and a few sprigs fresh off of the plant in your stews or on your chicken dishes. Fabulous.

Agreed there.

Now we're cooking.

Fresh basil and oregeno makes some amazing spaghetti sauce. That is if you like italian herbs.

mint, but plant it in a container. anise leaves make a great addition to a salad as well as a nice hot herbal infusion. fresh chives are excellent.

~james

Awright buddy.

beware: mint will take over the world, but within boundaries of a pot or back garage, its essential. Mojitos and Greek food! Peppermint is strong, spearmint more mellow.

Sage- will last the frost will dry and season to perfection your Thanksgiving Turkey.

Rosemary- annual- dry and sunny. cant be beat. You can dig up and try to overwinter the plant inhouse, or pick and dry it.

Sweet basil- youre all over that, a bit of Thai basil if you get freaky. Lots of basil. Pesto! pinch it off before it flowers and it will get leafier and leafier. freeze it for winter- right in an ice tray.

thyme- let it scramble all over the place, loves the dry, hot. no excuse for not having tons of thyme. Dry it for winter.

Oregano- same as thyme only bigger. Greek. dry it.

The one I can't do without- Italian parlsey- flat leaf. At least 2 plants. Use it fresh, freeze it.

Chervil, an annual- let it go to seed one year and youre set for life.

Cilantro- you need lots of plants and to reseed mid season. salsa aint salsa without it, but its cheap in the market.

Top 3: basil, parsley, rosemary. Ok, 4: sage, too.

There are so many other plants with uses:chives- very easy, dill- kinda weedy, bergamot- can be lovely, pennyroyal- annual, fragrant, nasturtium, cant do without, woodruff, magic smell, ....