The quality of the soil can usually be improved, but light and heat depend on the geographical location. However, when planning the herb garden always choose a warm, sunny and sheltered place, so the plants are provided with conditions at least somewhat like those of their native habitat. They will reward you by growing well and developing flavour and aroma.
The pleasure of raising your own herbs and the fascination of watching the plants grow and develop under your care, compensates many times over for the slight effort required. Man's natural atavism, his close bonds to the earth, make it possible for him to cast aside his daily cares and worries by working outdoors.
Knowledge of the characteristics of aromatic substances is extremely useful to the modern cook. What happens to herbs and spices when they are added to food? In the preparation of cold dishes it is a simple matter, for there is no need to fear that the aroma will evaporate together with water during the cooking process.
Biennial herbs grown for their foliage or roots should be cultivated the same as annuals, for otherwise they will produce flowers early the following spring and die down as soon as the seeds are ripe. Perennial herbs can likewise be grown from seed, but they may also be propagated by vegetative means - by the division of bulbs (garlic, saffron) or splitting-up and replanting clumps of older plants. Older plants should be divided in spring or early summer so they have time to root properly before winter sets in. This revitalizes old plants which will then have more vigorous and healthy growth again for several years.
Quite the opposite is true in the case of cooked foods. Here herbs are generally added shortly before the end of cooking (in the case of stewing, braising or roasting), particularly in the case of fatty foods, or just before the food is served.
Hydroponics is gaining in popularity nowadays. This is the method of growing plants in a nutrient solution instead of soil, and is particularly suitable for growing house plants as it eliminates the need of daily watering. It can also he used successfully for growing many herbs. All that is needed is an opaque container of suitable size and shape and a mixture of mineral salts, obtainable from most garden centres. There are complete kits available on the market, so try out which is best for the herb you want to grow.
The pleasure of raising your own herbs and the fascination of watching the plants grow and develop under your care, compensates many times over for the slight effort required. Man's natural atavism, his close bonds to the earth, make it possible for him to cast aside his daily cares and worries by working outdoors.
Knowledge of the characteristics of aromatic substances is extremely useful to the modern cook. What happens to herbs and spices when they are added to food? In the preparation of cold dishes it is a simple matter, for there is no need to fear that the aroma will evaporate together with water during the cooking process.
Biennial herbs grown for their foliage or roots should be cultivated the same as annuals, for otherwise they will produce flowers early the following spring and die down as soon as the seeds are ripe. Perennial herbs can likewise be grown from seed, but they may also be propagated by vegetative means - by the division of bulbs (garlic, saffron) or splitting-up and replanting clumps of older plants. Older plants should be divided in spring or early summer so they have time to root properly before winter sets in. This revitalizes old plants which will then have more vigorous and healthy growth again for several years.
Quite the opposite is true in the case of cooked foods. Here herbs are generally added shortly before the end of cooking (in the case of stewing, braising or roasting), particularly in the case of fatty foods, or just before the food is served.
Hydroponics is gaining in popularity nowadays. This is the method of growing plants in a nutrient solution instead of soil, and is particularly suitable for growing house plants as it eliminates the need of daily watering. It can also he used successfully for growing many herbs. All that is needed is an opaque container of suitable size and shape and a mixture of mineral salts, obtainable from most garden centres. There are complete kits available on the market, so try out which is best for the herb you want to grow.
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