My husband's veggie garden has done so well this year that I
plan to encourage him to keep it going every year. This
leaves me with a small square near the patio where I used to
grow a few tomatoes. I think I would like to try to grow
some herbs there. What advice do you have? I would like
perennials or self seeders that love sun and are easy to
care for. Which ones to plant and when?

Thanks

My 2 cents on herbs:

Rosemary, thyme and lavender will grow in terrible conditions of poor soil,
dryness and full sun - it takes work to kill them. Plus they all remain green
all winter; I frequently have dug through some NJ snow to cut a sprig in winter
- carefully, I may add.
Oregano is also very tolerant of poor conditions, but it can spread a lot if it
goes to seed. I have "Greek" oregano because I love the furry leaves, but it
shows up in the lawn, in any empty space - almost as bad as mint.

Sage comes in all sorts of varieties and colors, and is a great herb for
cooking.
Basil is also wonderful, but needs a little more attention and water. There is
nothing better than having fresh basil to add to a tomato salad, and the dried
herb tastes like a very poor imitation.

I have grown a lot of herbs of all sorts, but these are the ones that I make
sure I always have, and the ones I would recommend to a novice. There are a lot
of herbs that are pretty or nice to grow, but these always get used by me.

Lastly, anything in the mint family is also easy to grow, but make sure you
plant it in a container buried in the ground if you plant it in a garden, or it
will BE the ENTIRE garden in a few months. I use mint and catnip all the time,
but I swear I pull as much out for being a weed as I cut from the intended part
of the garden. If I didn't love mint tea as much as the cats love the catnip,
it would be LONG gone....


-=epm=-

In matters of truth and justice,
there is no difference between large and small problems,
for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.
- Albert Einstein

Hi Sandie,
Most herbs are perennials and like the sun. Choose what you like to use in
your cooking etc, and plant them. Basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme(jeezeI
sound like Simon and Garfunkle) come to mind. Don't plant mints. They are
almost impossible to get rid of and take over the bed. The roots can grow
two feet down and spread all over the place. Best to use a container for
them.
--
Jayel
"Sandie Hudson" wrote in message
.com...
My husband's veggie garden has done so well this year that I
plan to encourage him to keep it going every year. This
leaves me with a small square near the patio where I used to
grow a few tomatoes. I think I would like to try to grow
some herbs there. What advice do you have? I would like
perennials or self seeders that love sun and are easy to
care for. Which ones to plant and when?

Thanks

"Sandie Hudson" wrote in message
.com...
My husband's veggie garden has done so well this year that I
plan to encourage him to keep it going every year. This
leaves me with a small square near the patio where I used to
grow a few tomatoes. I think I would like to try to grow
some herbs there. What advice do you have? I would like
perennials or self seeders that love sun and are easy to
care for. Which ones to plant and when?

Thanks

Plant some French Tarragon (not the Russian variety which has absolutely no
flavor). French Tarragon is a perennial and can only be propogated from root
stock whereas the Russian is grown from seed. Go to a reliable nusery as
they often sell the russian kind without knowing how useless it is. You can
always tell the difference: rub a leaf between your fingers and the FT will
give off a strong anise-like scent.
Graham

"Sandie Hudson" wrote in message r.com...
My husband's veggie garden has done so well this year that I
plan to encourage him to keep it going every year. This
leaves me with a small square near the patio where I used to
grow a few tomatoes. I think I would like to try to grow
some herbs there. What advice do you have? I would like
perennials or self seeders that love sun and are easy to
care for. Which ones to plant and when?

Thanks

I suppose you are in North Carolina. I strongly encourage you to grow
a couple square yards of herbs, a pinch of them can enlighten a whole
dinner. Some herbs are quite invasive and will suffocate lesser herbs.
The list below are herbs I have, and I list them most important first
(based on versatility, length of season, and productivity). All herbs
listed below are perennial in your area.
Oregano, sorrel and mint tolerate some shade, not so the rest.

1) oregano. Will eventually ground cover a large area. best tomato
herb, which will give you early and late in the season.

1) Thyme. Also a groundcovering herb, excellent salad herb, remains
viable well past the first fall frost.

1) Sage. Get a hardy variety. Excellent with all types of meats, and
makes good tea (I mix the dried leaves with dried blackberry leaves).

4) Mint. Extremely invasive, it is the base for most of my teas
(alone, with lemon balm, or linden). I grow a couple square yards of
it, and four different varieties. The two best varieties end up in
meat marinades or pesto for potatoes.

5) Sorrel. Extremely early and late, very productive, and great for
soups and omelettes (sorrel potato soup lifts the spirits in spring
and late fall). Otherwise I don't think it is that great.

6) lemon balm. Very productive, makes a very nice tea.

Hi,

Basil and parsley are not perennials here in Canada. My thyme did not sur=
vive
the winter.

Fran=E7oise.

"J. Lane" wrote:

Hi Sandie,
Most herbs are perennials and like the sun. Choose what you like to use=
in
your cooking etc, and plant them. Basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme(je=
ezeI
sound like Simon and Garfunkle) come to mind. Don't plant mints. They a=
re
almost impossible to get rid of and take over the bed. The roots can gr=
ow
two feet down and spread all over the place. Best to use a container fo=
r
them.
--
Jayel
"Sandie Hudson" wrote in message
.com...
My husband's veggie garden has done so well this year that I
plan to encourage him to keep it going every year. This
leaves me with a small square near the patio where I used to
grow a few tomatoes. I think I would like to try to grow
some herbs there. What advice do you have? I would like
perennials or self seeders that love sun and are easy to
care for. Which ones to plant and when?

Thanks

HI Francoise,
I'm a Canuck too but I've had no problem growing herbs. Possible my B.C.
zone is higher than yours. Winters are not too harsh although summer's
proving to be just plain nasty to plants and humans here. 37degrees celcius,
uggh! and dry as a bone.
--
Jayel
"Françoise" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Basil and parsley are not perennials here in Canada. My thyme did not
survive
the winter.

Françoise.

"J. Lane" wrote:

Hi Sandie,
Most herbs are perennials and like the sun. Choose what you like to use in
your cooking etc, and plant them. Basil, oregano, rosemary and
thyme(jeezeI
sound like Simon and Garfunkle) come to mind. Don't plant mints. They are
almost impossible to get rid of and take over the bed. The roots can grow
two feet down and spread all over the place. Best to use a container for
them.
--
Jayel
"Sandie Hudson" wrote in message
.com...
My husband's veggie garden has done so well this year that I
plan to encourage him to keep it going every year. This
leaves me with a small square near the patio where I used to
grow a few tomatoes. I think I would like to try to grow
some herbs there. What advice do you have? I would like
perennials or self seeders that love sun and are easy to
care for. Which ones to plant and when?

Thanks

"Sandie Hudson" wrote:

My husband's veggie garden has done so well this year that I
plan to encourage him to keep it going every year. This
leaves me with a small square near the patio where I used to
grow a few tomatoes. I think I would like to try to grow
some herbs there. What advice do you have? I would like
perennials or self seeders that love sun and are easy to
care for. Which ones to plant and when?

I think what is most important is what do YOU use. I think you will
not only enjoy it but take better care if you go out to the box
regularly for cooking amendments. Full sun is the key to many and you
can always use one plant to provide shade for another. Moisture can be
controlled, so look through your herbs and list what you use.

I did all the herbs I use... Parsley, thyme, sage, basil, dill &
oregano(in a separate bowl, invasive). I tried rosemary & cumin but
they didn't germinate. I will definitely try the cumin again. Rosemary
was more a try to see if I would like fresh rosemary better. I've
grown cayennes for spice too.

Someone mentioned sesame...which I would like.

I also have a windowbox which I will keep near the kitchen door for
winter. (could even move indoors) I've got thyme, parsley, dill, sage,
and a bell pepper in it. Rosemary and cumin were supposed to be in
there too. I'm not sure what will survive the winter, but I get to
enjoy the easy cuttings.



DiGiTAL ViNYL (no email)
Zone 6b/7, Westchester Co, NY, 1 mile off L.I.Sound
1st Year Gardener

Sandie, I have an herb and vegetable garden here in Raleigh. I would
concur with most of the advice already posted. I'd also recommend
Italian flat-leaf parsley. It's a self-seeding biennial and thrives
for me (whereas my sage and thyme always eventually succumb to rot due
to the heavy clay soil). Plus, I can't imagine cooking without fresh
parsley.

My heavens, regardless of where you are, pick up an herb book and pick
your choices. You are bound to have more than enough to chose from. Full
sun and good drainage.

This is what I planted for a client on June 30, 2003 in zone 9a. They
are prolific now.

1. Fennel
2. Bee Balm
3. Cinnamon Basil
4. Lovage
5. Fewerfew
6. Sweet violets
7. Lemon Balm
8. Pineapple Mint
9. Yerba Buena Mint
10. Sweet Lavender
11. Chive
12. Redstem Peppermint
13. Prostrate Rosemary
14. English Wedgewood Thyme
15. Spanish Lavender
16. Purple Red Basil
17. Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil
18. Stachys Lambs Ear
19. Lime Basil
20. Mexican Oregano
21. Dancing Water Rosemary
22. Hardy Hill Rosemary
23. Blue Tuscan Rosemary
24. Lemon Thyme
25. English Mint
26. Lemon Verbena
27. Mexican Mint Marigold
28. Greek Oregano
29. Evergreen Coreopsis
30. French Lavender
31. Pineapple Sage
32. Artemesia Silver King

Oh, and I found her an Artemesia Southernwood on Monday. She's from
England and is thrilled with the garden.


J. Kolenovsky
Bayou City on the Gulf Coast prairie and marsh eco-region #2, Texas.



Sandie Hudson wrote:
=

My husband's veggie garden has done so well this year that I
plan to encourage him to keep it going every year. This
leaves me with a small square near the patio where I used to
grow a few tomatoes. I think I would like to try to grow
some herbs there. What advice do you have? I would like
perennials or self seeders that love sun and are easy to
care for. Which ones to plant and when?
=

Thanks

-- =

J. Kolenovsky, A+, Network +, MCP
=F4=BF=F4 - http://www.celestialhabitats.com - business
=F4=BF=F4 - http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/personal.html - personal

Jayel,

I have no problem growing herbs in the summer. I have beautiful parsley a=
nd
basil now. They do not survive the winter. I have to plant new ones every=

spring.

Montr=E9al is very different than Vancouver. I remember going to Vancouve=
r in
April one year. Though there was hardly any snow on the ground here, we w=
ere
still wearing our winter coats. I arrive in a flowered, warm Vancouver. S=
ad
though, it was misty, could not see the mountains very well. Then I flew =
to
Winnipeg. We landed in a snow storm. What a funny trip!

After graduation, I spend a week in Vancouver. We had gorgeous weather th=
e whole
week and I almost accepted the job that was offered to me then. Since the=
n, I
visited Vancouver, Victoria and different places many times since then. T=
wo
years ago we spent a few days with some friends outside Vancouver.

Fran=E7oise.

"J. Lane" wrote:

HI Francoise,
I'm a Canuck too but I've had no problem growing herbs. Possible my B.C=
=2E
zone is higher than yours. Winters are not too harsh although summer's
proving to be just plain nasty to plants and humans here. 37degrees cel=
cius,
uggh! and dry as a bone.
--
Jayel
"Fran=E7oise" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Basil and parsley are not perennials here in Canada. My thyme did not
survive
the winter.

Fran=E7oise.

"J. Lane" wrote:

Hi Sandie,
Most herbs are perennials and like the sun. Choose what you like to u=
se in
your cooking etc, and plant them. Basil, oregano, rosemary and
thyme(jeezeI
sound like Simon and Garfunkle) come to mind. Don't plant mints. They=
are
almost impossible to get rid of and take over the bed. The roots can =
grow
two feet down and spread all over the place. Best to use a container =
for
them.
--
Jayel
"Sandie Hudson" wrote in message
.com...
My husband's veggie garden has done so well this year that I
plan to encourage him to keep it going every year. This
leaves me with a small square near the patio where I used to
grow a few tomatoes. I think I would like to try to grow
some herbs there. What advice do you have? I would like
perennials or self seeders that love sun and are easy to
care for. Which ones to plant and when?

Thanks

I tried rosemary & cumin but
they didn't germinate. I will definitely try the cumin again. Rosemary
was more a try to see if I would like fresh rosemary better.

Rosemary is very hard to start from seed, like lavender. Trust me, it is well
worth buying a plant, because as much as you like and use the dried herb,
you'll love the fresh one much, much more. I snip sprigs off all the time, not
just for cooking, but to hang in the kitchen as fragrance - it's wonderful.
Plus it is one of those plants that thrives when trimmed regularly.

I started out with a little, single sprig that looked like it would never
amount to anything, and 2 years later, have a nice little shrub that surprised
me with cornflower-blue flowers this past spring. Like thyme and lavender, it's
something I would not do without!


-=epm=-

In matters of truth and justice,
there is no difference between large and small problems,
for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.
- Albert Einstein

Francoise,
Glad to hear you've visited Beautiful B.C. I live in the interior where the
weather is more extreme. -20 in the worst part of winter and today was 39
degrees. Still is about 28 and it's 10pm!
Back to the herbs... have you tried growing them in pots that can be brought
inside in the winter?
Wish I could visit you end of the country sometime. The only time I was
there was when I emmigrated from England. All I got to see was the airport!
--
Jayel
"Françoise" wrote in message
...
Jayel,

I have no problem growing herbs in the summer. I have beautiful parsley and
basil now. They do not survive the winter. I have to plant new ones every
spring.

Montréal is very different than Vancouver. I remember going to Vancouver in
April one year. Though there was hardly any snow on the ground here, we were
still wearing our winter coats. I arrive in a flowered, warm Vancouver. Sad
though, it was misty, could not see the mountains very well. Then I flew to
Winnipeg. We landed in a snow storm. What a funny trip!

After graduation, I spend a week in Vancouver. We had gorgeous weather the
whole
week and I almost accepted the job that was offered to me then. Since then,
I
visited Vancouver, Victoria and different places many times since then. Two
years ago we spent a few days with some friends outside Vancouver.

Françoise.

"J. Lane" wrote:

HI Francoise,
I'm a Canuck too but I've had no problem growing herbs. Possible my B.C.
zone is higher than yours. Winters are not too harsh although summer's
proving to be just plain nasty to plants and humans here. 37degrees
celcius,
uggh! and dry as a bone.
--
Jayel
"Françoise" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Basil and parsley are not perennials here in Canada. My thyme did not
survive
the winter.

Françoise.

"J. Lane" wrote:

Hi Sandie,
Most herbs are perennials and like the sun. Choose what you like to use
in
your cooking etc, and plant them. Basil, oregano, rosemary and
thyme(jeezeI
sound like Simon and Garfunkle) come to mind. Don't plant mints. They
are
almost impossible to get rid of and take over the bed. The roots can
grow
two feet down and spread all over the place. Best to use a container for
them.
--
Jayel
"Sandie Hudson" wrote in message
.com...
My husband's veggie garden has done so well this year that I
plan to encourage him to keep it going every year. This
leaves me with a small square near the patio where I used to
grow a few tomatoes. I think I would like to try to grow
some herbs there. What advice do you have? I would like
perennials or self seeders that love sun and are easy to
care for. Which ones to plant and when?

Thanks

That's my only advice, KEEP THE MINT IN A CONTAINER! A large pot can grow more
of it than you can possibly use. I grow mine in a half Jack Daniels barrel by
the front door, and often pick a few sprigs on the was in.

In article ,
says...
have no problem growing herbs in the summer. I have beautiful parsley and
basil now. They do not survive the winter. I have to plant new ones every
spring.


IIRC, they are annuals. But a warning - I had no idea how big oregano,
chives, rosemary, and savory could get! They are all perennials and get
bigger every year. We have 4x4 foot area for herbs and we have to
severely prune at least twice a season.

--
Where ARE those Iraqi WMDs?