About Kitchen Herb Gardens

Significance

• There is a great deal of difference between freshly cut and dried herbs when it comes to taste and freshness. Fresh herbs have full-bodied flavor, and only a small amount of the plant needs to be used. With dried herbs and spices, more needs to be used to attain full flavor. Some recipes call specifically for fresh herbs like rosemary or basil to be sprinkled across fresh pasta or bread. For homemade oils and vinegars, fresh herbs are recommended over dried varieties, as whole stems and leaves are often required to flavor-infuse the oil.

Function

• Kitchen herb gardens can be used throughout spring and summer for fresh picking. Some herbs display decorative leaves or blooms that accent bare spaces in a garden. During frost or in winter months, some outdoor herb plants can be brought inside and used in a windowsill that has full sunlight. Some people prefer freshly dried herbs as opposed to seasonings bought at a grocery store, due to the preservation of flavor and color.

Types

• There are two types of kitchen herb garden: indoor and outdoor. Typically, seeds or plants are placed into soil outdoors after the last frost. Most herbs require full sun, and need to be watered daily or as needed. Kits can be bought for indoor windowsills and used in the winter months, or they can be used by those who do not have garden access or outdoor planting space. Raised or container gardens are popular types of herb garden for new gardeners.

Effects

• Having fresh oregano, basil, rosemary, mint, dill, chives, thyme, sage and parsley will have a lasting effect on keeping prepared foods flavorful. Because most herb plants continue to grow before they die off for the season, more than one handful of herb clippings should be available for ongoing flavoring and seasoning. Most herb plants can be divided into several plants that can be shared with family or friends or traded at a plant exchange.

Considerations

• Consider using freshly cut herbs from the kitchen herb garden within a few hours after trimming to keep the garnishes fresh and crisp. If fresh herbs or their leaves are left out for an extended period of time in heat, they can wilt and lose their form. When using fresh herbs while baking or garnishing, keep in mind the potency that may not be mentioned in most recipes. Keeping an herb garden growing properly by weeding and removing extra growth will promote healthy plants that last the entire season.