Start A Fresh Herb Garden – It Is Worthwhile
Nothing tastes like fresh herbs tossed into your favorite meal. You can always buy fresh and dried herbs in the supermarket. Why not try growing your own fresh herb garden. It’s easy to take care of, and you only need to reach out to your pots or patch for your next tasty meal.
Include in your fresh herb garden some of the herbs that are regularly used in the kitchen. Usually, people immediately cook the herbs they plucked right out of the garden. Your garden need not be very big. You can even have your own potted herbs right in your windowsill in your kitchen area. It doesn’t take much of these herbs to add flavor to your dish. Even a small amount can already make a difference.
If you want an indoor setting, simply set your fresh herb garden on your windowsill. If it is not big enough, you can add a ready made one by six inch board by screwing it to your sill. There is also a windowsill extenders originally intended for cats, but you can use that to house your fresh herb garden.
Although different herbs have specific directions in handling them, you can still follow some general rules. Remember that wind and heat take away the essential oils of herbs, and this has an impact on the flavor and available nutrients of the plants. If you have more than just your potted herbs, you can harvest your plants and save some for later use. Harvesting your herbs should be done during dry and sunny day. It is recommended to harvest during a calm, mid summer morning to ensure that the herbs have plenty of essential oils. Extremely wet weather will likewise cause the herbs to produce less essential oils.
Check for insect infestations and leaf damage once you harvest your herbs. Take note not to remove more than a third of the plant’s foliage, as they will need enough foliage to re-grow. After harvest, clean them up before mixing them to your food. Submerge the herbs in water with two tablespoons of salt to remove any insects without harming your plants. You can dry the herbs by putting them in the salad spinner.
If you’re harvesting basil, pick out the leaves before they blossom. The best aroma and flavor of this herb comes out just before it starts to flower. Soak the stalk in a cup of water to keep its freshness for a week. Treat oregano like your basil plant. Harvest when the buds are fully formed, but has not flowered yet. You can also immerse your oregano harvest in water, just like basil leaves. Fresh parsley is best when added to cooking. Make sure to include the stems when harvesting as most of the flavor is in the stems. When the parsley reaches six inches in height, it is ready for harvest.
