Don’t Forget Herbs when Planting Your Garden

Sage in Bloom Photo by Barbara Porsch

By Barbara Porsch, Permian Basin Master Gardener

It doesn’t take much browsing on social media to see that home vegetable gardens are a hot topic.  Lots of people are putting raised and in-ground beds in their landscapes.   I have even seen some of those metal raised beds in some front yards. I am not here to tell you how to grow vegetables, but to urge you not to forget to plant herbs in the mix.  They are beautiful and useful too.

Here are a few of my favorites to plant and use. Basil is at the top of the list.  This is a natural companion to tomatoes — especially for eating.  Basil has been cultivated for over 2000 years, and there are at least 200 varieties. The most popular (and available) is sweet basil because of its aroma and nice, big leaves, which can be used in salads and other dishes. If there is an abundant crop, you can always make pesto and freeze it for use later.

Mint is great, especially if you are planting in raised beds or containers. It has a reputation for spreading easily in the ground, especially with regular watering.  Mint is one of the oldest recorded herbs. There are biblical references to paying taxes with mint leaves.  It is not just for mojitos but also used in salads, soups, or stews.

Sage is a great addition to any garden or landscape.  Many moons ago, during the days of the great herbalists, sage was used to treat all ailments and was thought to prolong life itself. Most varieties are hardy perennials and can reach 2 or 3 feet.  Mine has made it through the recent ice storms with little damage, and when I think about pruning it back, it bursts into beautiful bloom. As an herb, it is mostly associated with Thanksgiving turkey and dressing but can be used in many different dishes.

Parsley is a valuable addition even in a landscape bed, but especially on your dinner plate.  It is like a vitamin pill rich in many vitamins and minerals. So, eat that parsley decorating your plate, and as a bonus, it deodorizes your breath. Parsley is a true biennial as it grows leaves in the first year and then blooms and reseeds in the second year. Now that I am established, there is very little time I do not have available in my yard.

Rosemary is great to have in your garden, especially in a landscape bed.  It is evergreen and hardy.  It just doesn’t want wet feet.

I could go on, but you get the idea that a little extra flavor never hurt any of those home-grown veggies.

If you have questions, call the AgriLife office in Odessa at 432-498-4071 or Midland at 432-686-4700.  Additional information, and our blog for access to past articles, is available at westtexasgardening.org Click on “Resources”.