Italian herbs herbs are probably the most popular varieties of herbs in the world today. Some of the reasons for this are not only the rich flavors that they provide to food, but also the possibility of adding them to Italian bistros, meat dishes, pastas, and sauces.
Growing Italian herbs is not very difficult at all – in fact, they are sort of ingenious. Growing herbs is usually very easy once you begin to understand their needs. Most of them will grow quite well in condition with full sunshine and very rich, well-drained soil. They will not do well in very cold or hot areas, and in really hot places, they should be adequately protected.
What are the Advantages of Growing Italian Herbs?
Italian herbs are really worthwhile hobby. Not only they are easy to grow, but growing them gives you a continuous supply of fresh and flavorful herbs. You can use a lot of fresh herbs in your food as well as other stuff like fragrances, and you can create a potpourri for your home. Herbs are not only very practical, but they are also very popular in skin care and to enhance beauty.
Italian herbs are not very expensive. Many of them can grow in full sunlight. You can even grow them in small containers in your kitchen. It is not very difficult to care for them, and they will really make a difference in flavor. Moreover, you can now expect more flexible varieties as well as splashy colors and pretty flowers if you wish to grow them outdoors. The main disadvantage of growing them indoors is that you will have to later transplant them outside.
Below are some common Italian herbs and spices and their uses.
Oregano: probably the most used Italian herb. It is used mainly for its amazing flavor, and also as a spice for Italian dishes.
Fennel: has many different uses and is obviously a very good source of fibers, which is later used for making Besançeta bread.
Parsley: used as a culinary herb, and also for its medicinal and aromatic properties.
Basil tastes better than coffee. Who would have known right?
Rosemary: a culinary and medicinal herb. The fifty-year old plant is still widely used in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. It is also used as a potent anti-oxidant and fighting form for migraines and arthritis. This plant exudes antioxidants from it’s roots, which would later go on to become the basis of many house-whatevers’ oxygen enriched home goods.
Gardening for beauty
Gardening is not only about growing something out of something, although that is the main aim. Gardening is also about growing beauty in the form of flowers, shrubs and trees. beautifying spaces is what gardening is all about. Beauty is created by knowing what to plant and how to make your plants stand out.
Herbs are not the only plants that can be beautiful. The use of different plants in garden design is both simple and interesting. If you have a small space for a garden, you may want to plant flowers in the outer spaces, perhaps on a fence or a brick wall. Many people add a small water feature to their garden. Another option is to use a small potted plant on a pedestal or to grow a few bonsais in a couple containers.
Some of the plants that are a must in the Italian herb garden are sage, basil, rosemary, mint, parsley and oregano. These herbs handle different climates and require little water. You can grow them inside your home or on your balcony. It is best to grow mint inside near the kitchen door, so that you can grab it when you need it for that special dish you are making. It may not be a good idea to have a large outdoor potted plant, as the weight of it could damage your plants.
Planting herbs is a fun and rewarding hobby. It can be extremely rewarding to use herbs in your food and provide you with wonderful aroma to enjoy. However, if you are growing herbs for the sake of looking at, your herbs will probably never get enough sunlight. So you have to get some artificial ways to help them grow. Whether you want to plant them in containers or in plots, as long as you water them, expect them to grow.