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Gardening herbs is highly rewarding. You
get to enjoy the benefits of a great hobby and you also get to
enjoy the benefits of the herbs you grow. Those just getting
started with growing herbs may need a starting point.
Familiarizing yourself with the different kinds of herbs will
help you decide which plants are best for your garden. Knowing
what kind of plants you are using helps you to plan a better
garden. So, let go of your fears and get started today.
Annuals are herb garden plants, which will grow once a
year. You plant these in the spring and tend to them through
the summer. With proper maintenance, you should be able to
enjoy the plants as well as their clippings all season. Annuals
die in the fall due to weak root structure. The best way to be
able to enjoy these plants again next year is to dry the
blooms. These contain the seeds you need to replant in the
spring. Examples of annuals are dill and borage.
Biennials are plants, which survive for
two seasons. These typically will not create fruit until the
second year. You will be able to enjoy the leaves from these
plants both years. Just like the annuals, these can be
replanted from the seeds they produce. Typically the stalks of
biennials are much thicker the second year. The flavor and
aroma from the herbs are also more pungent in the second year.
Examples of biennials include caraway and parsley.
Perennials are plants, which will come back year after year.
While the leaves will die off, the roots remain healthy. You
will notice the plants budding again in the spring. By the
summer, your plant will be in full foliage. The thing to look
out for with perennials is their tendency to take over a
garden. Because they do not die when fall hits, they continue
to grow and get bigger every year. Proper planning will box
these herb garden plants in. Examples of perennials include
chives and peppermint.
Shrubs are a type of perennial plant,
which are very woody. These herb garden plants take up more
space than other herbs. This is because of a very hardy root
structure. Proper pruning helps to keep these plants in check.
It is recommended you trim shrubs whether you use the trimmings
or not. The one thing you do not want is for the leaves to fall
in the rest of your garden. Pruning these plants helps the rest
of your garden stay healthy. Examples of shrubs include
rosemary and elder.
Semi-shrubs are woody on the bottom while leafy on top. These
are not nearly as invasive as shrubs can be. The root structure
is still quite firm, but not as spread out. You will be able to
enjoy these herb garden plants for years to come without having
to commit to strenuous pruning. One of the best examples of
semi-shrubs is the lavender plant. It is fitting such a
soothing herb would be easy to tend to.
Brian Chamberlain
17 Oct 2009
Brian Chamberlain has been an Herb Garden enthusiast for over
20 years and has helped many people get started in this amazing
hobby. For more great information on herb garden plants visit
his site at: http://www.secretsofaherbgarden.com
while you are there don't forget to sign up for his FREE 10
part Secrets of a Herb Garden Mini-Course.
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Chamberlain
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