Italian Herb Garden
A Guide to an Italian Herb Garden
When most think of cooking that uses a lot of herbs, Italian cuisine is probably the one that comes to mind first. Choosing to grow Italian herbs is choosing some of the best known and most delicious herbs in the world. Basil, parsley, oregano and fennel are just some of the many culinary herbs that Italy has given the world.
Basil is a very popular Italian herb. While most of its popularity comes from its use in all kinds of foods for Thai to Vietnamese food, it is great for growing herbs in pots as it acts as a gardener’s best friend by giving benefits to the plants planted near it. Great examples are peppers and tomatoes that gain a stronger flavor if they are planted next to basil. As it is also a relative of mint, it repulses flies and mosquitoes, so benefits the gardener too.
Parsley is pretty tough to grow, but well worth it as it is a very popular garnish. A long time ago it was used as a breath freshener as chewing it got rid of mouth odor. These days we have gum for that, but the herb remains popular and can be found everywhere from Europe to Western Asia.
Oregano is so beautiful when it flowers that many people use it for decorative purposes. It is an exception to the usual rule of harvesting herbs before their flowers bloom as the edible part of oregano is at its most tasty after the plant has flowered.
Fennel is most famous for its seeds. Chefs prefer to use fennel seeds when they are still green as this brings out the maximum flavor. The plant loses its flavor as it ages, so it is best to harvest it when it is young. Most cultivators replant the herb annually to ensure the best flavor is constantly preserved. Fennel has so many uses it is a great herb, it is best used for making delicious Italian-style meatballs.
Like basil rosemary is popular for its appearance as well as its taste. The plant is covered with blue flowers that look fantastic when flowering. It is also highly resistant to pests, so is relatively easy to take care of. On top of this it is a delicious additive to Italian cuisine. Be careful planting it in cold places however, as it is vulnerable to frost.
Garlic forms the foundation of most Italian cuisine and is an essential ingredient in countless difference cooking styles. The great thing about this herb is that it grows with very little maintenance. Once it is ready to eat it can be pickled or frozen for later use.
Sage is a popular herb in many dishes. The plant itself can be tricky for gardeners as it needs to be trimmed a lot, so be prepared. Constant trimming will provide you with a lot of flavorful clippings, which can be used. After blooming is a great time to harvest this herb.
So the question of which herb to use is one that requires a little thought. Take a piece of paper and write down the growing conditions that your garden experiences, so you can prepare appropriately. Remember that even if you don’t intend to eat the herbs many of them are great ornamental herbs with beautiful colors and smells. One sniff and next thing you know you will swear you woke up in a Mediterranean paradise.
