As you are creating your edible landscape, you’re probably going to want to include herbs. Herbs are versatile – with their many uses, there are herbs in almost every kitchen. Here are some things to think about as you contemplate their use in your edible landscape plans.
What Herbs Are Your Favorites?
You are likely familiar with at least a few herbs. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be an accomplished chef, you are sure to have experienced some tastes that appeal to you – and that you’d like to cook with.
If you are not familiar with them all, go to the grocery store and pick up a few varieties! This will help you to decide what will be worth the effort to grow and keep you excited about your edible landscape.
What Do Herbs Go Well With?
When cooking, many dishes call for at least a few herbs. Even some baking includes herbs for a delightful twist on a common taste.
Oregano, basil, and thyme go well with chicken and give a delicious flavor to rice dishes and pasta.
Mint is a versatile herb, it goes well with both savory and sweet dishes, and is easy to grow. Use it as a topping for ice cream, or freeze one leaf per cube with water to make a great-looking and slightly minty ice cube!
Chives are delicious chopped over baked potatoes or sprinkled into salads and can be easily cut fresh each time you are ready to use them.
What Herbs Grow Well in Your Climate?
Check with your local garden center to learn what herbs grow best in your area. Some herbs are suited to warm climates, and others can be grown in cooler weather.
Parsley will grow as a perennial plant and can be enjoyed year after year, even when there is a harsh winter interrupting its growth.
Where Will You Grow Them?
Once you decide which herbs to grow in your edible landscape design, it’s time to decide on the best spot for them. Perhaps you can use some of them as a luscious way to cover a large area of ground. Or maybe you’ll want to strategically place insect-repelling herbs such as lemon balm and basil in an area where people will be spending a lot of time.
Decide your purpose for the plant, and then think about what it will look like when placed in a particular area. This will give you a good idea of where to place it.
What Vegetables and Fruits Will They Complement?
Since you will be growing other edibles in your landscape, think about what herbs will compliment them when you are cooking or baking.
You may want the fresh mint to put into the fruit salad you will make with your fresh berries and apples. Or you might want to grow some rosemary to sprinkle on the pizzas made with your fresh-grown tomatoes.
Edible landscaping opens up a world of flavor. You don’t need to be a world-renowned chef to enjoy the wonderful tastes of each herb you grow. Choose at least a few varieties to add to your landscaping efforts, and you will never need to cook a bland-tasting meal again.
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