Herbs can be grown to perk up food, as attractive additions to landscape planting, and for their fragrance.
Herbs straight from the garden can be washed, chopped and added to enhance meals. One of the many uses for fresh herbs is in spaghetti sauce which becomes more flavorful with the addition of herbs like basil, oregano, tarragon, rosemary. Fresh herbs can be substituted for dry herbs in any dish you prepare. The conversion is: 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs = 1 teaspoon of crumbled dry herbs, or 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground herbs.
Herbs in the landscape planting can add color - purple basil; attract butterflies - flowering dill and make outstandingly hardy borders - curly parsley.
In a fragrant garden, many herbs can lend their special scent. Rosemary releases a strong fragrance even if gently bumped, lemon basil has a citrus scent, and, of course, lavender has a sweet scent.
The planting of herbs can be a welcome addition to any type of garden whether for the use in cooking, in the landscape or for their fragrance.
Bibi Blonn, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas AgriLife Extension
Vegetables & Herbs Index
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