| Many of us do not realize that there are over 50 | | | | that are rather hard. This plant can grow up to 8" in |
| spices and herbs commonly used in Italian cooking. | | | | height and will grow year-round if constantly |
| Italian's use most of these herbs and spices regularly, | | | | maintained. Dried thyme has a much stronger flavor |
| but most are just not as commonly known. Luckily, | | | | than fresh, so it is best to dry it after harvesting. |
| many of us can start our own Italian herb garden at | | | | Parsley - In an Italian herb garden you will typically |
| home to help us cook some of our most favorite | | | | use "Italian parsley". This is a sweeter version of |
| Italian meals. Before you can start any Italian herb | | | | parsley that can be blended with other herbs to |
| garden, you need to know the five essential herbs. | | | | enhance each other's flavor. Parsley is sensitive and |
| These include rosemary, oregano, basil, thyme, | | | | needs to be pruned often to insure its constant |
| parsley, and sage. | | | | growth. As long as it is continually watered, parsley |
| Basil - Even though there are over 40 species of | | | | will also grow year-round. |
| basil, "Sweet Basil" is the most common in Italian | | | | Sage - Sage is also part of the mint family. You can |
| cooking. This herb will grow out large and waxy | | | | use it in cooking, teas, medicine, and even just for its |
| green leaves that often can be a few feet tall. This | | | | aroma. |
| herb can grow year-round and continuously re-seeds | | | | Some of the other herbs that you can use in an |
| itself every other month. | | | | Italian herb garden are ones like: Allspice, arrow root, |
| Oregano - Just like basil, oregano is part of the mint | | | | bay leaves, capers, caraway seeds, ginger, garlic, |
| family as well. Oregano has a sweet and pungent | | | | fennel, cumin, cinnamon, chives, celery, chervil, |
| flavor and will grow as regularly as basil. As long as | | | | cilantro, cardamom, lavender, horseradish, juniper |
| you continue to prune your oregano, it will grow | | | | berries, mustard, onion, marjoram, lemon verbena, |
| year-round. | | | | mint, onion, red pepper, poppy seeds, vanilla, |
| Rosemary - Rosemary is an Italian herb that is | | | | turmeric, sorrel, and even saffron. |
| typically used for its aroma. The oils in rosemary pair | | | | You can typically grow most of these herbs in your |
| perfectly for sauces and meats and it grows well | | | | own Italian herb garden. It is best to purchase a |
| with constant pruning. You can use rosemary sprigs | | | | book on how to grow these herbs so that you know |
| for skewers when making some of your favorite | | | | their lighting, watering, and nutrient requirements. |
| kabob recipes as well. | | | | Growing your own herbs can be beneficial for your |
| Thyme - Thyme consists of several woody stems | | | | at-home cooking, but also your wallet. |