Learn to harvest bay leaves in a way that also shapes your tree well for future harvests, plus drying and cooking tips for this popular herb. Bay leaf is a classic and versatile spice used in a wide range of recipes. You can grow a bay tree to provide a steady supply of fresh bay […]
Category: Growing Guides by Herb
Growing, harvesting, propagation, and storage of our favorite culinary herbs.
How to Grow Bay Trees: Join A Savory Perennial Tradition
Learn to grow evergreen bay trees for years of production of richly flavored leaves. Laurus nobilis Bay leaf is a classic and versatile cooking herb that has been used for centuries as a culinary herb. Dried bay leaves add a rich, clear flavor to sauces, soups, bean and meat dishes, casseroles, pickles, and even desserts. […]
Harvesting & Preserving Basil: How To Get The Best Flavor
Basil is a favorite culinary herb in many kitchens, so learning how to harvest the summer’s bounty to enjoy all year is an important skill for the home chef. This article shares the best ways to harvest fresh basil leaves to keep your plants healthy and growing strong. Then we’ll also share our favorite ways […]
How to Grow Winter Savory: A Tasty, Healthy Perennial Herb
Satureja montana Learn how to grow, harvest, and preserve winter savory in the garden. Winter savory is a perennial herb. Its leaves and flowers taste spicy and peppery like its annual relative, summer savory, Satureja hortensis. Some sources say that summer savory tastes milder, sweeter, or more pleasant in cooked dishes. But winter savory is […]
How To Grow Basil Hydroponically and Keep It Healthy
Learn how to grow basil hydroponically and start new plants from seeds and cuttings. We also review the different varieties to choose from that do well with this type of growing and cover all the best practices for success. Known for its intoxicating aroma and classic Italian flavor, basil is one of the most popular […]
Growing Cilantro: How to Spice Up your Food and Protect your Garden
How to grow the herb cilantro in the garden. We discuss how where and when to grow new cilantro plants from seed, plus the most popular varieties to grow for culinary use. Coriandrum sativum Cilantro’s sharp, distinctive flavor adds interest to many foods, especially in Mexican cuisine. It is used to flavor salsa, salads, chicken, […]
How to Grow Garlic – A True Gift of Nature
Check out these three ways to start new garlic plants growing them both indoors in your kitchen and outside in the garden. Learning how to grow your own garlic is not only easy but fun. There are a few of nature’s edibles that are both, a delicious food source and a medicine. One of those […]
Companion Planting with Cilantro: How To Attract Beneficial Insects
Learn the best companion plants to grow with cilantro to encourage healthy growth, attract pollinators and repel problem insects from your edible gardens. Cilantro adds a distinctive spicy flavor to many different types of food. But its benefits don’t end there. Sowing cilantro alongside your other plants can also help to repel pest insects and […]
Growing French Tarragon: A Tender Perennial with Rich Anise Flavor
Artemisia dracunculus The leaves of French tarragon have a fresh rich flavor which is sometimes compared to anise and licorice. This sprawling hardy perennial plant can produce for many years if it is regularly dug up and divided. French tarragon is smaller and harder to grow than its relative Russian tarragon, but it also has […]
Choosing the Best Garlic Variety for Your Garden and Palate
Garlic is grown in many climates and cultures for its pungent flavor and its health benefits. Different types of garlic thrive in different conditions and have different qualities. This article will help you pick a garlic variety that’s right for your climate and your cooking needs. There are three basic types of garlic. Hardneck and […]