Culinary Herbs to Plant in My Garden

Thyme

• Thyme (T. vulgaris) belongs to the mint family. This shrubby plant grows 6 to 10 inches tall with green leaves and purple flowers. Thyme is a perennial that needs full sun. Harvest thyme before it flowers and use it in stews, soups and tomato dishes. Thyme has a peppery, pungent smell. You can harvest and dry thyme, then store the dried leaves in glass-lidded jars.

Basil

• The two most popular basil selections for a culinary garden are Thai and sweet bail. Both types of basil (Ocimum basilicum) require full sun and can grow from seeds. You will need to space basil plants at least 6 inches apart. They can grow quite bushy and reach up to two feet in height. Pop off the flowers when they appear; this keeps the essential oils in the fragrant leaves. For a fresh pesto sauce, mix shredded basil with olive oil, grated Parmesan and ground pine nuts. You can sprinkle basil into pasta and poultry dishes too.

Rosemary

• This dense herb's proper name is Rosemarinus officinalis but the average gardener calls it Rosemary. This annual is an evergreen that grows green and gray leaves. This herb enjoys sunny spots and flourishes in containers. Since Rosemary likes warm temperatures, growing it in pots is best if you live in a cold climate. This herb produces long, slender leaves that you can use fresh or dried. Rosemary likes to grow and may reach heights of 5 feet or more if left unchecked. Grilled foods marinated with this herb have a distinct, full-bodied flavor.

Chives

• Chives are small members of the onion family. The proper name of chives is Allium schoenoprasum. This perennial plant grows from bulbs and grows quickly. There are no leaves just long slender shoots that contain a mild oniony flavor. If allowed to flower, the chive will produce fragrant purple flowers. Chives play a prominent role in French cuisine along with tarragon and thyme. This herb repels some insects, but Japanese beetles seem to love it. Harvest chives by snipping the section you need no lower than 2 inches from the base with sharp scissors.