5 Popular Herbs That You Can Grow In A Raised Garden bed or Planter
In this article we are going to discuss just 5 very popular herbs That You Can Grow In A Raised Garden bed or Planter.We start with no less than the wonderully tasteful Lemon Verbena.
Lemon verbena
What are the Benefits of Lemon verbena?
Lemon verbena is a perennial herb that is native to South America. It has a lemon scent and is used in teas, jellies, beverages, and desserts.
It can also be used to flavor foods such as chicken and fish. The leaves are edible and are often used in salads or cooked with other herbs. Lemon verbena is hardy in zones 8-10.
How to grow Lemon Verbena?
Lemon verbena is easy to grow from cuttings or seeds. The seeds need light to germinate so they should be sown on the surface of the soil and lightly covered with potting mix.
Keep them moist until they germinate which can take up to 2 weeks depending on the temperature of your home or greenhouse.
You can also take cuttings from an existing plant by cutting off a branch about 6 inches long and inserting it into potting mix filled containers or directly into the ground where you want it to grow.
Water regularly until established which usually takes about 2 weeks for cuttings but may take longer for seeds depending on conditions.
How do I use Lemon Verbena?
The leaves of lemon verbena are edible but should only be consumed in small quantities as they contain high levels of citral which can cause liver damage if consumed in large quantities over time.
They are often used in salad dressings, marinades, and cooked with other herbs such as thyme, tarragon and basil for flavor
Cilantro
The spicy, green leaves of cilantro are the main attraction. This herb features a citrusy flavor, as well as a hot aroma. Cilantro is great in guacamole and salsa.
It is a member of the same plant family as cilantro (coriander), so a small amount of both herb types will produce a big flavor explosion.
Cilantro is a good source of vitamins A and C. It also contains iron, calcium and magnesium.
How to grow Cilantro
Cilantro is a very easy herb to grow. It can be started indoors or outdoors. Sow the seeds directly into the garden It will grow in any type of soil, but it prefers rich, moist soil with lots of organic matter.
Cilantro likes full sun and cool temperatures, so plant it in spring or fall.
Harvesting Cilantro
Cut off the leaves as needed, leaving at least 2 inches of stem on the plant. The more you harvest, the more cilantro will grow back.
How do I use Cilantro?
Cilantro is a great addition to any garden. It can be used in salsa, guacamole, salads and many other recipes.It is also a great companion plant for tomatoes, as it helps repel the tomato hornworm.
Coriander
The heat from coriander comes from the seeds and leaves. Like lemon verbena, coriander is prone to taking over garden beds.
Coriander is a great addition to marinades and salad dressings.The seeds are used in many curries, chutneys and pickles.and leaves are used in Mexican and Asian cooking.
Coriander is a good source of vitamins A, C and E. It also contains iron, calcium and magnesium.
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How to grow Coriander
Coriander is fairly drought tolerant once established, but it will produce more leaves if watered regularly during dry periods.
Coriander likes full sun and well-drained soil. As the seeds are slow to germinate start them indoors about 6 weeks before the last frost.
Plant the seeds 1/4 inch deep in well-drained soil. Keep the soil moist until the seedlings appear.
Coriander grows best in warm weather, so plant it in spring or summer.
Harvesting Coriander
Cut off the leaves as needed, leaving at least 2 inches of stem on the plant. The more you harvest, the more coriander will grow back .
How do I use Coriander?
Coriander can be used fresh or dried in many recipes including: salsa, guacamole , salads , curry dishes , marinades , soups , stews , breads .
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Basil
Basil is perhaps one of the most popular herbs in the world. It doesn’t matter if you live in a desert or a temperate climate, you should have basil growing in your garden. However, it has one Achilles heel: it requires rich soil.
Since a lot of the soil in urban or agricultural gardens tends to be poor quality, you won’t be able to grow basil in it. This is the reason why it’s such a popular herb, though–it doesn’t need a lot of water or fertilizer.
What is the most important thing to remember when growing basil?
Basil is an annual herb, which means it will only grow for one season. The seeds need to be planted in the spring and they will die at the end of the season.
If you live in a temperate climate, you can plant your basil seeds in late summer or early fall so that they will have time to grow before winter sets in. However, if you live where there is no winter, then you can plant them anytime during the year.
What are some of the best ways to use basil?
Basil has a very strong flavor and it’s often used as an herb on its own or as part of a blend of herbs. It’s good for seasoning meats and fish and it can also be used as part of a marinade for meat or fish.
It’s also good with tomatoes (especially fresh tomatoes), eggs, cheese, potatoes and pasta dishes. You can also make pesto sauce with it or add it to soups and stews. In fact, there are few recipes that don’t benefit from adding fresh chopped basil leaves!
Chives
Chives are very easy to grow and they can be used fresh or dried. They are great in salads, soups, dips, dressings and sauces. Chives also make a nice garnish for fish and chicken dishes. They can be used as a substitute for onion in many recipes or added to onion recipes to give them a milder flavor.
Nothing livens up a meal like the zing of chives. Grown in full sun or partial shade, chives do best in fertile, well-drained soil. If you let them regrow year after year in the same pot, just be sure to divide your plants periodically–preferably in springtime. This will prevent them from becoming root bound.
Chives will usually flower in early summer, making the flowering stems too tough to eat. Garlic chives flower in late summer or early fall and keep producing tasty, garlicky greens all season long.
To extend harvesting time, cut back standard chives in midsummer for a second harvest. Both varieties have edible blossoms and are easy to grow from seed or root divisions.
