I know this garden update all about herbs may cause herb envy for some readers who are apartment dwellers or just not gardeners. Other people may wonder what’s the big deal about cooking with fresh herbs. I can hardly remember now when I first started growing herbs and cooking with them, but now I eagerly look forward to summer when I can go outside and get herbs to use in the kitchen. If you’re not currently using fresh herbs in your cooking, check some of the recipe links for each herb type to see how I use my own herbs, and maybe I can inspire you to grow a few pots of something in a windowsill if you don’t have a garden space!
No recipes yet for chervil, but thanks to a gift of seeds from Vanessa from She Craves, I’m growing some this year, and she assures me I’m going to love it. If you have recipe ideas for chervil, I’d love to hear about them.
I also have this lovely golden oregano plant hanging out on the edge of the garden with my flowers, but since I have so much Greek oregano, this one doesn’t get clipped nearly as much. The flavor is very similar though, so if you’d like some color with your oregano, go for this one.
I’d actually find it quite impossible to pick my very favorite herb from all my many favorites (unless it was cilantro, which doesn’t grow well at all in Utah, where the summers get so hot and I have to buy my cilantro from the store!) If you do have a favorite herb, I’d love hear in the comments about which one it is and how you most enjoy using it!
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Leah, that is so cool! Your house must not get that cold during the night? Here is the post about Preserving fresh basil. (I found it using the search bar.)
I can't find the right post now, but I wanted to let you know that in spite of gross neglect on my part, I still have one rooted basil plant from last summer on my window sill! I hope it makes it to the spring and will plant it outside again!
Carla, I'm happy that I've inspired you to grow herbs, and you should definitely trim the herbs to keep them producing. I haven't dried herbs, but I've written a lot of posts about freezing herbs, like this one about How to Freeze Fresh Basil. You can use the search box to see if I've written about any other types of herbs you're thinking about freezing.
Hi Kalyn, I've been inspired to grow some herbs by visiting this site. I've planted them all in containers which I have in the house since I don't have any garden space. I've got 2 kinds of basil (sweet and the other one is just called basil on the tag, it has very small leaves), 2 kinds of parsley (curley and flat, rosemary and sage. They are all getting quite tall. My question is: Should I cut them all back to keep the leaves coming? If so, how can I save the herbs to use later? Freezing or drying? Any help you can give me would be much appreciated.
Stephen, thanks for the tips about keeping mint contained. I have a plastic strip pounded into the ground along the edge of my mint patch, which helps, although the mint does try to escape into the garden and I try to keep up with it!
It so exciting seeing people talking about cooking with and growing herbs. I, too, share this passion. Just a helpful hint about mints and other "invasive plants". I found that using 14-16 inch diameter plastic drain pipe, cut into 18" lengths and buried all but 2" in the ground creates an effective containment system. The 16" in the ground keep the stolons from creeping under the barrier and the 2" above ground keep them from "hopping" over. Occasionally one or two will try but you can catch them when they do. I think lesser depths would work in really hard/clay subsoil. I have used this idea for mints, comfrey, tansy, yarrow,and atremesias. I have also heard of people using terra cotta chimney flu liners though I think they are somewhat a thing of the past.
GIWonder73, I have heard good things about the Aerogarden; thanks for reminding people about that.
CJ, no worries, nothing to be embarassed about!
Kathy, glad you enjoyed seeing how I use the herbs.
Joey, love the sound of your lemon thyme cookies.
Susan, thanks for the info about Summer Savory. Sounds like I should look for a plant. No more room in my herb beds, but I can tuck it in among the flowers!
Sorry, all–just have to post again after the mention of summer savory–I grow it every year and love, love, love it! How could I have forgotten to mention it?????
I use it in spaghetti sauce, chopped coarsely and mixed in whole wheat pizza dough with garlic, and it is an absolutely wonderful addition to any bean/garbanzo dish you can think of. It is also a great addition to any stews or soups I make.
I can't imagine life without herbs, Kalyn. Herbs make wimpy cooks simple offerings … great! I thought I was adventurous but would love to taste lemon basil ice cream, a perfect compliment with my Lemon Thyme cookies!
38 Comments on “Friday Night Herb Garden Photos and Recipes Using Fresh Herbs: 2010 Garden Update #2”
What a great resource!
Leah, that is so cool! Your house must not get that cold during the night? Here is the post about Preserving fresh basil. (I found it using the search bar.)
I can't find the right post now, but I wanted to let you know that in spite of gross neglect on my part, I still have one rooted basil plant from last summer on my window sill! I hope it makes it to the spring and will plant it outside again!
Carla, I'm happy that I've inspired you to grow herbs, and you should definitely trim the herbs to keep them producing. I haven't dried herbs, but I've written a lot of posts about freezing herbs, like this one about How to Freeze Fresh Basil. You can use the search box to see if I've written about any other types of herbs you're thinking about freezing.
Hi Kalyn, I've been inspired to grow some herbs by visiting this site. I've planted them all in containers which I have in the house since I don't have any garden space. I've got 2 kinds of basil (sweet and the other one is just called basil on the tag, it has very small leaves), 2 kinds of parsley (curley and flat, rosemary and sage. They are all getting quite tall. My question is: Should I cut them all back to keep the leaves coming? If so, how can I save the herbs to use later? Freezing or drying? Any help you can give me would be much appreciated.
Excuse me for commenting so late….
Thank you for the reminder to plant marjoram. I cannot believe that I forgot – we love it with ricotta cheese stuffing for ravioli.
I wonder what lemon thyme would be like in lemon ice cream….
-Elizabeth
Susan, thanks for the idea, and I do have beans planted!
Kalyn–if you have no room for summer savory in your herb beds, tuck it in with your beans, if you grow them–they grow wonderfully together.
I chose to grow summer savory simply because I had read in a companion planting book that it grew well with beans (and seasoned them well too, lol).
Barbara, how wonderful to have a herb garden for everyone in the building to share! Great idea.
A fabulous selection Kalyn. Our recently appointed apartment building manager was previously a chef and has planted a herb garden for the residents.
Pam, thanks. I admit, I do love my garden!
Stephen, thanks for the tips about keeping mint contained. I have a plastic strip pounded into the ground along the edge of my mint patch, which helps, although the mint does try to escape into the garden and I try to keep up with it!
It so exciting seeing people talking about cooking with and growing herbs. I, too, share this passion. Just a helpful hint about mints and other "invasive plants". I found that using 14-16 inch diameter plastic drain pipe, cut into 18" lengths and buried all but 2" in the ground creates an effective containment system. The 16" in the ground keep the stolons from creeping under the barrier and the 2" above ground keep them from "hopping" over. Occasionally one or two will try but you can catch them when they do. I think lesser depths would work in really hard/clay subsoil. I have used this idea for mints, comfrey, tansy, yarrow,and atremesias. I have also heard of people using terra cotta chimney flu liners though I think they are somewhat a thing of the past.
Herb envy all the way! I'm always adding to mine and love using them! Great garden!
GIWonder73, I have heard good things about the Aerogarden; thanks for reminding people about that.
CJ, no worries, nothing to be embarassed about!
Kathy, glad you enjoyed seeing how I use the herbs.
Joey, love the sound of your lemon thyme cookies.
Susan, thanks for the info about Summer Savory. Sounds like I should look for a plant. No more room in my herb beds, but I can tuck it in among the flowers!
Sorry, all–just have to post again after the mention of summer savory–I grow it every year and love, love, love it! How could I have forgotten to mention it?????
I use it in spaghetti sauce, chopped coarsely and mixed in whole wheat pizza dough with garlic, and it is an absolutely wonderful addition to any bean/garbanzo dish you can think of. It is also a great addition to any stews or soups I make.
I can't imagine life without herbs, Kalyn. Herbs make wimpy cooks simple offerings … great! I thought I was adventurous but would love to taste lemon basil ice cream, a perfect compliment with my Lemon Thyme cookies!
I enjoyed your blog alot-showing the herbs in your garden and linking them to recipes-thanks Kathyinozarks
*embarassed*
Lemon thyme- Uhm, there it is, right smack center on the page.