Your 2013 herbal garden

[ktmae1229]

I'm elbow-deep in seed catalogs as I plan what to plant this year. One thing I know is that I'd like to increase my herb plantings, both perennial and annual plants. What are you planning to grow - for cooking? for medicinal purposes?

Last year I established rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano and mint in a planting bed in my front yard and left room to plant cilantro, basil and parsley each spring. I'd like to grow ginger in a nearby spot. In a less visible place in our back yard I'm going to (intentionally - ha!) grow dandelion and plantain. I'd love some ideas for more herbs & useful plants that you've grown or will be trying this year.

[Joe in TN]

In addition to what you're growing I am growing borage, catnip and lemon balm.  All multi-purpose herbs for me.  I use the borage for eating and feeding the rabbits.  Catnip for pest control and feeeding the rabbits.  Lemon balm for feeding rabbits and making teas.

Joe

[BiggBake]

Just bought the culinary herb garden pack from mypatriotsupply.com.  It includes thyme, oregano, dill, basil, parsley, cilantro, sage, and chives.  Going to by their medicinal herb pack next week that contains the more popular medicinal herbs.

[Sarcasmo]

Garlic! - easy to grow, tons of uses.
Onions also.  Hint on the onions.  Leave them in the ground, and use the tops for flavoring your dishes.  Just take a little from different plants and the tops will grow back.   

[Skunkeye]

I'll second the recommendation for catnip.  It actually works pretty well as a mosquito repellent, and makes a very relaxing herbal tea.  The only problem is if you have neighborhood cats, they may decide to roll around in it every night and eventually destroy your catnip patch.  Ask me how I know!   

Comfrey is something I've only recently started growing, but it has some great medicinal uses. 

I love trying new kinds of basil - lemon basil, lime basil, large leaf, small boxwood basils, you name it, I'll try it.  Let it go to flower, and you'll have more bees than you know what to do with.  They love the stuff.

Lemon verbena is another nice herb for culinary use.  Makes a great seasoning for chicken.

[joeinwv]

Basil, oregano, mint, chives, parsley, rosemary, lavendar, cilantro, green onions, chervil, lemon verbena, thyme, sage. Always grow.

I have grown borage and horehound - don't have use for either. Not growing again.

I usually fine one or two new things to play around with each year.

[ktmae1229]

Great ideas, everyone - thank you!

[hedgewitch]

Do not plant your basil near your rosemary it will kill it

[rikkrack]

Lemon balm is also good against mosquitoes. But will grow everywhere if not careful. I have issues when I get bit by mosquitoes so we plant all over the yard and every so ofter I take a piece and rub on open skin. No bites last year.

[SKL]

Today I started some seeds for cumin, black cumin, anise, and sweet mace. Mostly because the anise needs a very long growing season and I live in a shorter season area (Michigan). I have a patch of lemon balm and all summer I use the leaves fresh on our lunch salads along with a bit of basil, dill leaf, shiso, basil, and parsley. Makes a great salad addition. The shiso also is supposed to make a great tea from the dried leaves and is self seeding once you get it going. I have the dark red/maroon version and it makes a beautiful plant too.

[Endurance]

If you're looking to add some medicinals, make sure you check out Horizon Herbs.  I've ordered them for the last two years and have been very happy with their selection and the robustness of the plants they ship out.  Their selection is truly remarkable, but be sure to check out the plant information to be sure you're putting in things that will grow in your soil and climate zone.