Italian food is amazing and a common favorite. If your family likes Italian food then you should think about growing an Italian herb garden. With your herb garden you can throw together tasty meals that will be flavored with fresh herbs.
Basil is a great choice for an herb to include in herb garden. It is used in many of the traditional Italian dishes. It also is amazing in that when planted next to other plants, like tomatoes, basil gives those plants a unique flavor. Basil also is a natural pest repellent and will help keep flies away from the garden.
You should not pass on parsley just because it can be tricky to grow. This herb is very useful. You can use it in many Italian recipes, as well as using it in other types of cuisine. Have you ever wondered why meals are often served with a garnish of parsley? That is because this herb also works to freshen the breath. With so many uses you cannot pass it up, even if it requires a lot of care to grow.
Want a pretty herb growing in your garden? You do not have to sacrifice beauty for flavor. Oregano gives you both. You get pretty purple flowers and a nice strong taste (if you harvest after the flowers are gone). Nothing beats oregano when you want color and flavor from your garden.
If you do not mind a little work, then plant some fennel. It need replanted and divided often and it must be harvested at just the right time to preserve flavor, but it is a unique flavor that you simply cannot go without. If you really want nice authentic Italian flavor then you must plant fennel.
Rosemary is a nice touch to your herb garden. It grows into a bushy plant with blue flowers. It looks pretty and will attract bees that will help pollinate your garden. Remember, though, that rosemary will not last through frost.
You must have garlic in your Italian herb garden. There is no way your garden could ever be complete without garlic. Garlic is so easy to grow, too. Plant the cloves and they grow. They do not need special care or even special soil. They just need room to grow. Harvest them and you can freeze, dry or pickle it for later use.
Sage is an herb your garden needs to be complete. You have to have sage since it is an essential Italian herb. You want to harvest new shoots only and not let it get woody. Trim it often to encourage growth and only harvest after it blooms. Doing all this ensures the best flavor.
These herbs cover the basics of Italian herbs. Make sure that when you choose your herbs that you consider the needs of the herbs. Planting, harvesting and other factors are important to know about each type of herb that you plant. Also remember these herbs are not just for flavor. They also provide beauty and the smell is enough to get your stomach rumbling. Once your garden begins to grow, you will get that amazing aroma of cuisine straight from Italy that will have you in the kitchen and cooking in no time.
About this Author
Yilmaz Cesur is an Herb Garden Enthusiast and Author. You can find more information on herb gardening on his site at http://www.herbgardeningessentials.com/herb-garden-italian-style and you can receive his free eCourse by registering your interest at http://www.HerbGardeningEssentials.com.
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