Gardening

Extension Office To Sponsor Herb Growing Program On October 29

by Dr. William M. Johnson, Galveston County Extension Agent - Horticulture

October 26, 2005

Herbs are easy to grow, need very little care and have very few insect problems, yet they provide home gardeners with many uses from cooking to potpourri. In addition to serving as a perfect seasoning for chicken, veal and lamb, rosemary (shown above) often provides an impressive display of miniature flowers. Photo Credit: William M. Johnson

Are your taste buds demanding more flavor than commercially prepared dried herbs provide? Are you interested in growing your own herbs or in storing fresh herbs for future use in pestos, vinegars or oils? Then, take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the basics of growing herbs in your own garden and their long-term storage and many uses in home recipes.

Think how refreshing it would be to add a new and different taste to that chicken dish simply by stepping outside your back door and snipping a few leaves off your fresh herb supply! Master Gardeners with the Galveston County Extension Office will sponsor a "Successful Herb Gardening for the Upper Gulf Coast” seminar on Saturday, October 29, 2005. It will be conducted from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the County Extension Office located at 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson.

The program is free-of-charge but pre-registration is required (GALV3@wt.net or 281-534-3413, ext. 6) due to space limitations. The Galveston County Master Gardener Association is sponsoring this educational program as a public service to our county residents.

Suzi Hayes will provide the presentation and demonstrations. Suzi is a herb gardener and Certified Texas Master Gardener with the County Extension Office. Several samples of the more popular herbs grown locally for culinary use will be on display and participants will be able to "press and sniff" each type. Suzi will also offer tastings of several different dishes prepared with herbs.

Little wonder that herbs have earned a place in American gardens. Freshly harvested herbs have pungent and aromatic qualities that far exceed those of their commercially obtained counterparts--whether fresh or dried.

Even after the outdoor growing season is over, you can still enjoy dried herbs in fragrant potpourris and sachets. You can also grow herbs indoors in pots on sunny windowsills, and use them for culinary purposes, either fresh, dried, or frozen.

Anytime is a good time to start a herb garden. October and November are ideal times to establish herb gardens. March-April is also a wonderful time to start putting out seeds and plants.

You will enjoy growing herbs because their culture is easy. They require little care and space, have very few insect and disease problems, and generally require only moderate fertility levels. Above all, herbs provide you with a continuing and satisfying hobby.

A few of the many benefits and uses of herbs include:

-The leaves of most herbs are the part of the plant that is used most frequently. However, did you know that the roots, stems and seeds are also used in a variety of ways?

- Herbs have long been used as medicinal, ornamental purposes; such as ground covers, and flavoring agents, even bathing, practically since the beginning of time.

- Here along the Gulf Coast we are fortunate enough to be able to grow them year round with our tropical climate and easy winters.

- Herbs are easy to grow, need very little care and have very few insect problems, yet they provide you with many uses from cooking to keeping moths out of the clothes. Just a little fertilizer, soil and water are all you need to get growing.

- No back yard? No problem. You can grow them on your kitchen window sill or any sunny location including containers. How’s that for convenience? Not only are they attractive and tasty but they smell good.

- Herbs don't mind company. So if you don't have a designated spot for your herb garden, or you want to experiment with a few of your favorite herbs, plant them in flower beds. Globe basil makes a wonderful border plant during the spring and summer. Rosemary is another border compliment to a rose garden.

A wide variety of herbs that do well in our Gulf Coast growing environment, including the following:

Chives. Chives are mild flavored members of the onion family. Sprinkle chopped leaves over salad or vegetables; mix with sour cream or butter for potatoes, toss into soups.

Dill. Dill makes an outstanding addition to cucumbers, potato salads, seafood (especially salmon) eggs and cream cheese.

Oregano. This herb instills a spicy flavor to Italian dishes such as spaghetti, pizza and lasagna.

Rosemary. For the perfect seasoning for chicken, veal and lamb, try rosemary. Rosemary is wonderful with roasted new potatoes with coarse salt seasoning.

Thyme. Thyme is a nearly universal seasoning and is great with red meat, fish and poultry. Try with vegetables including eggplant, carrots, and tomatoes. Those who enjoy added zing to their beverages would enjoy it in tomato juice.

Mint. There are many varieties of mint and each variety adds depth to teas, punches and sauces.

Pineapple Sage. This one of my favorite herbs and it is easy to grow. Pineapple sage imparts a wonderfully fragrant pineapple scent and flavor to drinks, fruit salads and cream cheese sandwiches.

Growing herbs is fun and lifts your spirits. Herbs attract bees, butterflies, birds and people. Using herbs for cooking, flower arrangements and drying is food for the soul. There are no failures in herb gardening, just experiences.

Dr. Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston County
Extension Office of Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University. Visit his web site at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.htm

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