The Italian Herb Garden
Growing your own herbs in an Italian herb garden provides a huge amount of possibilities. Some of the most famous and tastiest herbs in the world come from Italy. Some of the best cuisines come from Italy and are famous in part for their herbs.
One well known Italian herb is Basil and it is useful in many recipes. Basil will not only add flavor to many Italian cuisines, it is useful in the garden to other plants. Did you know that planting them beside tomatoes and peppers will improve their flavor?. Plus, basil will also repel flies and mosquitoes. Click here for more: italian herb garden
Parsley is a relatively hard herb plant to grow but it is useful in not only Italian dishes but many other types of cuisines. Many generations ago before their were breath mints it was found that eating fresh, raw parsley after a meal eradicated the bad breath left over from enjoying a flavorful cuisine. So the custom of serving parsley with a dish arose. That is why today many of us use parsley as a garnish to our food.
Equally tasty and appealing is Oregano. The mature plant will show little purple flowers. Oregano should not be harvested until it has flowered because this is when the plant is most flavorful.
Next is Fennel. whose seeds enhance the zest of many a sauasage. The interesting thing about fennel is that the plant looses its flavor as it matures. To get the best out of this perennial, every few years it should be divided and replanted to enhance the taste. For more visit our blog: Herb Gardening Blog
Like basil, rosemary is an Italian herb that is beneficial to the garden. It grows into a large shrub that spouts pretty little blue flowers. It also finds usefulness in attracting pollinating insects like bees. However, it is sensitive to sharp frosts even though it is a hardy evergreen perrenial.
Probably the most used herb in Italian cuisines is garlic. An Italian herb garden would simply be incomplete without this useful herb. Garlic cloves can be planted and will thrive in just about any garden with very little attention. They can be stored to be used at a later time after they are harvested by freezing them or pickling them to store in the refrigerator.
Another herb used in Italian dishes from salads and meats is Sage. With Sage, it is the new shoots that are the most tasty so it is recommended to trim the plant regularily. This will encourage new growth. Harvest Sage after it has bloomed.
While there are many more herbs that canbe put to good use in your Italian herb garden, it is important to think about which ones you will use. Think about the growing conditions each plant needs and consider whether or not you can provide them. Yes, Italian herbs add flavor to food but they should also be looked at as more then that. They also make amazing additions to landscape designs. They can be particularly useful for their smell and color.
Plant them among other plants and think of them as bringing you the sights and aromas straight from Italy itself. It will be like wandering through the Italian countryside. Click here for more: Herb Gardens
