JUNE 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 35
STARTING AN HERB GARDEN
By WENDY DUBNER MASTER
Heritage Farm & Garden
Spring is back, which means it’s
time to start an herb garden that
will allow you to enjoy the fruits of
your labor all summer and into the
fall.
While people can make growing
their own herbs seem like it requires
superior plant knowledge and
gardening acumen, the truth is that
this mystique is without merit.
Here is some practical advice to
achieve amazing results:
PLANT SEEDLINGS, NOT
SEEDS
The herbs that are worth trying
are basil, oregano, parsley, thyme,
cilantro and lavender.
Basil: This might be the easiest one
to grow and has the broadest appeal.
Since it’s fast growing, we get to see
the result quickly. It’s a pick-as-yougo
kind of herb, which means you
can clip the fresh leaves from your
plant, to enjoy with your salad or
pizza.
Oregano: Its pungent, spicy, slightly
bitter flavor pairs well with almost
any dish and oregano is so easy to
grow. Once the stems are 4 inches
tall, you can start harvesting.
Parsley: Aside from its deliciousness,
parsley is a powerhouse of nutrients.
Both curly- and flat-leaf parsley have
more vitamin C than an orange per
weight.
Thyme: This herb is what summer
smells like, to me. It does best in full
sun. For the best and most potent
flavor, harvest thyme just before the
plant flowers.
Cilantro: Cilantro was one of
the earliest herbs ever cultivated
for culinary use. Start harvesting
early in order to encourage further
growth. And, of course, pinch the
flowers off the plants to preserve the
flavor.
Lavender: Full sun is the best. The
flower spikes have the most potent
scent just as the pretty little flowers
begin to open.
PRO TIP
There are many varieties of
common-sounding herbs, so read
the labels carefully to make sure
that you are planting what you
really want to grow. For example,
the number of varieties of mint is
almost startling!
Speaking of mint, that herb can be
invasive and take over your whole
garden, so it’s best to keep in a
separate container. And if you are
planting your herbs in containers,
make sure to use a good container
mix that contains fertilizer that
will feed your plants for up to three
months. Other special amendments
are available with a moisture control
agent that helps to retain moisture
and reduce watering needs.
MIND THE SUN
Herbs for planting in full sun: basil,
chives, cilantro, dill, lavender,
oregano, parsley, rosemary, and
sage.
Herbs for planting in partial sun:
catnip, lemon balm, sweet woodruff,
mint, bee balm, and lovage.
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