Herb gardens make a variety of unusual plants available to be taken directly from the garden. They can be used immediately or later in dried form for cooking, spicing or garnishing dishes and drinks, and even decorating inside the home. Thus they make daily life in the kitchen and around the house more interesting and fun in a way that’s different from cut flowers or houseplants.

Outdoors, herbs can enhance the look and fragrance of your vegetable and flower gardens. Some herbs make good ground cover or walkway fillers. Just like chopping some sage or rosemary in your kitchen releases pleasant aromas, patches of herbs in walkways will make your garden paths smell great. Some herbs are very hardy, drought tolerant and deer proof--fantastic qualities for rural gardeners trying to develop their landscaping!

Photo: sxc.hu/bertvth

Herb Growing Tips
Herbs are not difficult to grow in the outdoor garden, and many can be grown indoors as well, like on little window sill herb gardens. Herbs are happiest when planted in the ground in soil that drains well. Typical Rogue Valley clay just doesn’t do well for direct planting, and must be amended for herbs do prosper. Also, most herbs need morning sun to reach their full growth. Too much sun may do them in, so place them carefully. Usually we think about finding a spot for an herb garden, but how about making room for the plants here and there in your existing landscape?