Herbs in a Vegetable Garden

Annual Herbs

• Annual herbs complete their growth cycle in a year. Sweet basil grows from seed to 20 inches tall in sunny garden locations. Anise also likes the sun and adds flavor to sauces, cakes, breads and salads. It grows to 24 inches tall. Caraway leaves are used in salads, and its seeds flavor breads, soups and stews. Chamomile will grow to 2-1/2 feet tall. Steep it for tea or use as a garnish. Plant dill at the back of gardens. It grows to 5 feet tall and flavor dips, breads, cakes, pickles and salads. Parsley makes another tall garden plant at up to 6 feet tall. It makes a good garnish and a seasoning for soups and sauces.

Perennial Herbs

• Perennial herbs overwinter and grow again the following spring, although many are not cold hardy. Garden sage grows to 12 inches tall and adds flavor to many dishes, such as pasta, meat, poultry and vegetables. Start sage from seed or stem cuttings, according to the University of Idaho website. Horseradish adds pungent aroma and flavor to many dishes. It grows to 18 inches high and spreads, so prune it as needed. Mint is a perennial herb that grows easily alongside vegetable garden plants. Use it in teas, sauces, jellies and fruits. Thyme is another herb perennial that is used in many types of dishes. It grows to 12 inches tall.

Growing Herbs

• Herbs are generally easy to grow and do well in either small or large garden areas. They require less fertilizer than most vegetables and like full sun locations. Dill, mint and chamomile will grow in the shade. Many herbs produce attractive flowers providing nectar for pollinating insects. Harvest and use the fresh herbs as soon as they have enough foliage to continue growing, according to West Virginia University Extension Service. Wash herbs carefully before use, ensuring that you remove any pesticides used on nearby plants.

Benefits of Companion Planting with Herbs

• Some herbs ward off pests from your vegetable garden. Horseradish repels Colorado potato beetles and blister beetles. Oregano repels cabbage butterflies. Parsley keeps carrot flies and asparagus beetles away. Sage helps to repel carrot flies, cabbage beetles and ticks. Thyme deters cabbage worms and flea beetles.