Italian Herb Garden
The possibilities provided by growing herbs in an Italian herb garden are almost endless. Italy is known for its famous and delicious herbs. Italian food is very popular, in large part because of their herbs.
A popular Italian herb used in many recipes is basil. In addition to its wonderful flavor, it is helpful to other plants in the garden. The flavor of your tomatoes and peppers will be better just by planting basil next to them. Basil is also very good for keeping away mosquitoes and flys.
Another popular herb used in Italian dishes as well as other cuisines is parsley. Long ago parsley was used as sort of a breath mint after meals. Eating fresh, raw parsley after a meal was found to reduce or eliminate bad breath. This is why, to this day, parsley is commonly used as a garnish.
Another decorative herb is oregano. Oregano has beautiful purple flowers when mature. This herb is not only pretty but tasty as well. It is most flavorful when it has flowered. For this reason harvesting of oregano should not be done before it has flowered.
If you have eaten Italian sausage then you have experienced the wonderful flavor of fennel. Unlike oregano, fennel actually loses its flavor as it matures. To keep it healthy and full of flavor this perennial plant should be divided and replanted every few years.
No Italian herb garden would be complete without rosemary. This herb is also helpful to the entire garden. It grows into a large shrub and its beautiful blue flowers attracts bees. This perennial is very durable but can be affected by frost.
Perhaps the most popular herb found in any Italian herb garden is garlic. This herb is very easy to grow and requires very little attention. There is nothing like the taste and smell of fresh garlic but it can also be pickled or frozen for later use.
You will find sage is used in many Italian dishes. The best time to harvest this herb is after it blooms. Since the most flavor is contained in new shoots, you want to keep them trimmed so new shoots can continue to grow.
If you are looking to start your own Italian herb garden then you will need to decide which herbs you would like to grow. There are so many to choose from it would be difficult to grow them all. Each has its own characteristics and needs, so pick those that you know you can provide the proper growing conditions.
The wonderful thing about Italian herbs is that in addition to providing wonderful flavor to your dishes, they are beautiful and smell wonderful. Your garden will be full of color and aroma. You can have your own little piece of Italy in your own back yard!
More About Italian Herb Gardens
The 5 Must Have Herbs for an Italian Herb Garden
