Interested in starting your own Italian herb garden? Italian herbs can add spice and flavor to any meal. All of your favorite spices including basil, garlic, parsley and chervil are considered Italian spices and commonly appear in every pasta or pizza dish you order.
One of the newest trends in cooking is for chef’s to maintain their own Italian herb garden.
The advantages in this are not only economic but also related to flavor. The chef knows that freshly picked Italian herbs are far more satisfying and tasty than store-bought seasoning. They may also enjoy having more control over all the factors in the growing process. They feel personally responsible for the plant and producing a fresh herb, and therefore can feel better about the quality of their cooking.
Secrets you need to know
What are some well protected secrets about an Italian herb garden? Gardeners suggest that you should not pick all of the leaves at once. Instead, you might try picking a few at a time and give the plant a chance to steadily re-grow.
In fact, plants increase in size and produce every time you pick the leaves.
No doubt you’ll want to protect your garden from the threat of pests, so try marking off the area. Furthermore, be careful about pesticides and the threat of invasive weeds. Some chefs find that growing herbs in a pot is far more effective, since they can control the temperature and humidity (they simply bring the plant inside) and can also protect it from outside threats.
Another option to consider for growing an Italian herb garden is buying a kit, which can provide everything you need from the pot, to the pre-seeded pods, rich soil, and the plant itself. In general, you want pots that are 8-10 inches. You want to give each plant enough room to grow in its roots, but also allow for sufficient drainage and adequate watering. Be sure your garden gets plenty of sunlight (or at least fluorescent light) at least six hours a day (or as recommended in the instructions).
Instructions to Herb Kits
The actual instructions you work by will differ with each type of herb. For example, rosemary grows consistently as long as it has sunlight and well-irrigated soil. Rosemary is sensitive to overwatering. On the other hand, sage requires a more ideal environment, one well-sunlit and with good moisture.
Sage plants also need to be re-planted (using the cuttings) every few years otherwise they become too thick. Parsley grows best in full sunlight with minimal shade, whereas oregano requires plenty of sun and excellent drainage. Oregano also produces many leaves, more than the usual, so you will only need a few plants to get started.
Regardless of what herb you choose to grow, the secret to growing a successful Italian herb garden is in the amount of care you give to each plant. Kits, super-formulas and various tidbits on how to pick the leaves are all secondary to the nurturing you give your garden. For more information on growing Italian herbs, talk to your local nursery.
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