Hear what Sheri Ann Richerson, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Year-Round Gardening, Magical Gardens and 101 English Garden Tips has to say about growing spearmint and bronze fennel in this video.

Annuals are plants that grow, reproduce and die in a single summer. Biennials grow leaves and roots the first year, then flower and set seeds the following summer. Most people grow biennial herbs as annuals, since the foliage is often the part used in the kitchen. These temporary herbs are often more succulent, more delicately scented and flavored than many perennial herbs.

Familiar herbs that fit this category are basil, parsley, chervil, chili peppers, coriander (also known as cilantro), dill, fennel, celery, marjoram, and summer savory. Many of these herbs, such as parsley and basil, can be used by the handful for delicious results. Just think of pesto and tabbouleh – two dishes that use great quantities of these two herbs. Very often, the dried version of these herbs is different from the fresh, fine in a pinch, but with not anywhere near the flavor of the fresh herb.

Some annual herbs are excellent choices for containers, since they can be placed for maximum sun. At the end of the season, it is easy to clear them away. However, it is also possible to grow some of these plants in smaller containers and place them in a sunny south facing window for an extended season. Basil can easily be grown in pots indoors, as can chili peppers, marjoram and parsley.

Others, like dill, fennel, celery and coriander are too large to be grown indoors. Dill is grown for its feathery foliage by some, and for the seed heads by others. It generously self seeds, new plants springing up all over the garden. Coriander is another that can be grown for both foliage and seeds. The parsley-like foliage is known as cilantro, and prized in Mexican cooking, When the plant flowers and goes to seed, you can harvest the seeds for cooking. It also self-seeds readily.

There are two types of fennel – Florence fennel that is grown for its anise-flavored bulbs, and sweet fennel that is grown for the fine leaves. Both types of fennel go well with fish dishes. Fennel can grow to six feet, and with its feathery foliage, sometimes bronze, and its umbels of yellow flower heads, it is a handsome and decorative plant. The seeds are used, either whole or crushed, like aniseed. It makes a calming tea, that can also aid digestion.

If you want to extend your season for annual herbs, then do not transplant specimens from the garden. They will be picked over, perhaps flowering or seeding and even chewed by insects. Instead in early August sow a few seeds in a large pot and water it well. The plants sprout quickly in the summer heat and sun, and will require thinning as they grow. Choose four or five strong plants, and discard the rest. In mid September bring the pots indoors, to the sunniest spot in your home. If your light is not adequate, you can supplement it with artificial lighting. Harvest the leaves as you need them, but do not take too much foliage at one time.

The rich delights of fine Italian cuisine is enjoyed everywhere in the world. The colorful array of flavors that excites the pallet can be largely attributed to the refined blend of herbs that has been grown by this fine nation for centuries in herb gardens.

Almost everyone prepares Italian cuisine at home for their families and many grows the plants in their own garden to keep at hand a fresh and flavorful supply for preparing these wonderful meals. If you wish to start this fine hobby for yourself, this is a list of the 7 most used herbs to assure a complete authentic Italian herb garden.

1. Garlic is probably the most used herb to be grown in the garden and is the basic ingredient in many Italian dishes. One thing is certain, a garden that doesn’t grow garlic cannot be considered an Italian garden. This herb can be planted and will thrive requiring very little attention. Once harvested, they can be frozen or pickled and stored in the refrigerator for later use.

2. Basil is among the most commonly used herb. Its distinctive flavor is the soul of Italian cuisine and it also offer certain benefits to the garden itself. This herb repels flies and mosquitoes in the garden and, if planted nearby, will improve the taste of tomatoes and peppers.

3. Another herb that is widely used to garnish many dishes is parsley and can be eaten fresh and raw. An interesting fact about this herb is that it has the quality of absorbing the odors of ones breath after a tasty meal. This tradition is quite old and is still being practiced nowadays.

4. Oregano is a decorative and has a very distinctive flavor that is strong enough to hold its own in any meal. The herb will deliver the most flavor when harvested only once lovely small purple flowers start to sprout. Be patient, it is definitively worth the wait.

5. Sage is a herb that graces many different Italian recipes ranging from salads to meats. It is strongly advised to keep the plants well trimmed when growing this herb for the new shoots are the most flavorful part of the plant. You should harvest the sage plants only after they have bloomed.

6. Rosemary is a perennial plant that forms a rather big shrub that sprouts beautiful blue flowers. This plant is valuable in the garden for its ability to attract bees, thus keeping them away from other plants. Keep in mind though that rosemary is easily affected by frost.

7. Fennel is used when making Italian sausages that adds a distinctive exciting flavor to the palette. This perennial plant must be divided and replanted every 2-3 years because once the fennel plant has reached maturity there is a noticeable loss of flavor.

With these herbs growing in your Italian herb garden you’ll be able to use fresh basil when preparing a tomato based Italian meal or oregano with fried foods and grilled meats. Sage has a peppery flavor that is magnificent with meat dishes, Italian salads and dressings. It will also be a welcomed addition to stuffing for poultry, pork, lamb or seafood.

Of course there are many other herbs that can be added to the garden that are used for Italian dishes but these 7 herbs described above is a great start and will be sufficient for a large variety of recipes. Of course, you can balance them to your particular taste and needs. Be sure to consider the growing needs of each herb you plant.

When herbs comes to mind one of the first thoughts is Italian food. An Italian herb garden would need to be abundant to support all the possible dishes that come with Italian cooking. Once fresh cut herbs are used with this fare, there will be no turning back. Just imagine dishes such as lasagna, spaghetti, and more steaming with the scent of herbs to delight the discriminating nose. Some herbs for an Italian garden would be basil, fennel, oregano, parsley, and rosemary.

Basil is a hardy plant which needs to be started indoors. It can be left indoors permanently as long as it gets about 16 hours of sun. Sun lamps can provide this. Once basil has grown to several inches it can be planted outdoors. Choosing a sunny location with good drainage helps foster growth. As a natural repellent it may be planted along with pepper plants and tomatoes. This helps keep some pests at bay. An Italian herb garden with basil will need to be tended for long lasting growth. Once flowering takes hold the plant loses flavor. Prune the flowers and basil will become bushy and abundant.

Fennel has a dual purpose. It not only adds flavor but it also helps with digestion. That distinct flavor in Italian sausage is fennel. An Italian herb garden requires fennel. The main thing to remember is that it would be best to grow in a windy area. This shakes off the pests. Fennel starts from seed and is a perennial. Easy fennel is the balance for challenging parsley.

Seeds for parsley require soaking in warm water. The next day they can be planted outdoors in a garden or pot. The root is long and needs the space to grow properly. If parsley is grown indoors it requires about five hours of sun. To keep parsley hardy from year to year remove the flower stem at first sight in the spring.

Oregano grows with gusto. It will take over a garden so careful planning must be used for the Italian herb garden. It is popular as one of the most often used herbs in Italian dishes. This plant can be started from seeds but is often started with shared cuttings from farmers. Oregano is not ready to be used until it has flowered.

Rosemary is a perennial and grows into a shrub. It is a strong plant which likes the sun. Indoor preparation from seeds will take about five months. Sun lamps are best to allow for the need for a lot of sun. Rosemary can then be transplanted to pots or gardens. They do best with moderate, not saturating, watering. The flowers can also be eaten and make attractive garnishes. Bees love rosemary.

There are many more Italian herbs for you to consider.  These are just a small sample of some of the most popular ones and would be a great choice to start an Italian herb garden.

An Italian herb garden groups the herbs well-known in Italian cuisine together, such as oregano, basil, garlic and  sage. Create a taste, smell and vision of Italy by creating your own Italian-themed herb garden. Its easy to do and adds authentic flavor to your Italian dishes.

Plant basil for a useful flavor-workhorse in Italian cuisine. Not only does basil dress up sauces and pesto, but also the plant has properties that help its neighbors in the garden. Planting it between tomatoes and peppers imparts flavor to both the tomatoes and peppers. Basil plants also repel flies and mosquitoes.

Italian sausages are often flavored with fennel seed. Fennel plants lose their flavor as  they mature. Divide fennel plants every few years and replant to encourage the flavorful new growth. Collect the seeds and use in breads as well as homemade sausages. Fennel is a perennial.

What is Italian cooking without garlic? A member of the onion family, garlic thrives in many gardens and many soil types with little fuss. Garlic heads can be dug up in fall and stored over winter either dried, frozen or pickled. Or leave them in the ground to grow the following year. Each clove of garlic can grow a whole plant.

Oregano is an Italian herb that enhances flower gardens as well as culinary gardens. Well-known in Italian sauces, oregano is aromatic and attractive, sporting small pink to purple flowers. As flowers appear, pinch them back to reduce bolting. Leaf flavor is best after flowering begins. Plant in well-drained, lean soil and divide as the perennial
becomes woody-stemmed in the center.

Parsley adds a light spicy flavor to many dishes. Used today as a garnish, fresh parsley leaves used to be served after meals as a breath-freshener. Chewing on fresh parsley leaves counters the strong odors left by garlic. The tradition of serving parsley with a meal lives on as garnish. Parsley can be difficult to grow. Add it to your Italian herb garden by planting the seeds directly in the garden; plants mature in their second year.

Rosemary is a perennial shrub that prefers a dry climate with mild temperatures. Profuse flowers range from white to purple and draw honeybees to any garden. For areas with heavy snow, plant rosemary in a pot and bring inside during the winter. Use rosemary leaves or whole stems of leaves to flavor dishes.

Sage leaves are useful in meat dishes, salads and sauces. This woody-stemmed plant should be pruned closely to encourage new shoots to grow. The best flavor is harvested from the new shoots after the plant blooms. Do not confuse European sage with sagebrush from the western U.S. high desert region – the latter was named for its color, not its taste, and could be poisonous.

Italy can come to your garden by planting a few of the herbs famous in their cuisine. Outside of use for their flavor, many Italian herbs are beautiful additions to your landscaping. Consider which herbs you are likely to use and each plants sunlight, soil and water requirements before planting an Italian-themed herb garden. Many more herbs used in Italian cooking are not listed here but with a little research you can explore other herbs you might plant in an Italian herb garden.