Herb | Height | Description | Culture | Harvest | Use |
Anise Pimpinella anisum Photo |
20-23" | Serrated leaves, small white flowers. Low spreading plant is a slow growing annual. | Moderately rich soil. Likes full sun. Space 6-8 in row with rows 12-13 in. apart. | When Seeds turn brown, or use leaves while green if needed. |
Seed-pastries, candy, cookies, beverages, meats, soups Leaves-salad or garnish |
Basil Ocimym basilicum |
20-24" | Leafy, light green foliage; flowers white or lavendar. Fast growing annual. | Start seed indoors in early April or seed in early spring. Space 12". Prefers protected sunny location. | Harvest leaves when flowering begins. Cut plants 4-6" above ground. | Leaves-soups, stews, omelets, salads, meats, sauces |
Borage Borago officinaliss Photo |
20-24" | Coarse, rough, hairy leaves. Produces light blue flowers in drooping clusters. | Seed directly in early spring. Space 12" apart. Seeds may be slow to germinate. | Harvest the young leaves and dry, or cook fresh like spinach. |
Leaves-salads, greens Flowers and leaf tips-pickles, soups, stews |
Caraway Carum carvi |
12-24" | Carrot-like leaf with small creamy white flowers | Seed directly in spring and located in full sun. Space 6" apart. | Harvest leaves when mature. Seeds will form midway through second season. |
Leaves-garnish
Seeds-breads, cakes, soups, sauces, salads |
Chervil Anthriscus cerefolium |
18" | Similar to parsley with light gree lacy leaves. Flowers are small white clusters. | Sow seed in moist, partially shaded located. Space 6" apart. | Harvest mature leaves and dry or use directly for garnishes. | Leaves-salads, soups,meats, poulty, garnishes |
Coriander Coriandrum sativum Photo |
36" | Large, coarse plant with white flowers. | Sow seeds directly. Use full sun area and thin to 10". | Harvest seeds when they begin to turn brown. Seeds are generally used crushed. | Seeds-pastries, sauces, pickles, liquors |
Dill Anethum graveolens Photo |
24-36" | Tall plant with feathery green leaves. Open umbrella-shaped Flower heads. | Seed directly and then to 12". If seeds mature and fall, they will come up again next year. | Harvest mature seed heads before seeds drop. May use small leaves as well. |
Sprigs of seed head or seeds-pickles, breads, sauces, meats, salads, vinegars Leaves-sauces, dips, fish, flavoring |
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare Photo |
36" | Fine feathery leaves with broad, bulb-like leaf base. | Sow in early spring and thin to 12". | Harvest either young sprigs and leaves or seeds. |
Sprigs-soups Leaves-garnishes Seeds-soups, breads |
Parsley Petroseelinum crispum |
5-6" | Curled or plain dark green leaves | May be slow to germinate. Seed in early spring. Space 6-8". | Harvest mature leaves as needed. | Leaves-garnish |
Sweet Marjoram Majorana hortensis |
12" | Fine textured plant with white flowers | Start seedlings in shade. Mature plants will grow in full sun. Space 8-10". | Harvest mature leaves. | Leaves-salads, soups, dressings |
Summer Savory Satureja hortensis |
18" | Small, gray-green leaves with purple and white flowers | Plant tender annual after danger of frost. Space 6-9" apart. | Harvest mature leaves. | Leaves-salads, soups, dressings, poultry |
Chives Allium schoenoprasum Photo |
12" | Onion-type leaves with blue round flower head | Can be grown in containers or outdoors in spring. Divide to increase. Space 5" apart. | Clip leaves as needed. | Leaves-omelets, salads, soups, sauces, dips |
Caraway Carum carvi Photo |
12-24" | Carrot-like leaf with small creamy white flowers | Seed directly in spring and located in full sun. Space 6" apart. | Harvest leaves when mature. Seeds will form midway through second season. |
Leaves-garnish
Seeds-breads, cakes, soups, sauces, salads |
Garlic Chives Allium tuberosum |
12-16" | Similar to chives. | Can be grown in containers or outdoors in spring. Divide to increase. Space 5" apart. | Clip leaves as needed. | Substitue for garlic flavor. |
Peppermint Mentha piperita Photo |
18" | Vigorous bush-type plant with purple flowers. | Prefers rich, moist soil. Space 8-10" apart. | Harvest young or mature leaves. |
Leaves-soups, sauces, tea, jelly Sprigs-tea, sauces, summer drinks |
Spearmint Mentha spicata |
18" | Pointed, crinkled leaves | Prefers rich, moist soil. Space 8-10" apart. | Harvest young or mature leaves. | Leaves-summer drinks, tea, mint sauce |
Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis Photo |
24" | Crinkled, dull green leaves with white blossoms. Vigorous grower | Space 12" apart. Prefers full sun. | Harvest mature leaves. | Leaves-soups, meats, tea, summer drinks |
Lovage Levisticum officinale Photo |
24-36" | Grows quite tall. | May start indoors and move to sunny location. Space 12-15" apart. | Harvest mature leaves. | Substitute for celery flower |
Oregano Origanum vulgare Photo |
24" | Choose English strains. Produces pink flowers. | Plant in rich soil. Space 8-10" apart. Start in protected location and move to full sun. | Harvest mature leave. | Leaves-soups, meats (roasts), stews, salads |
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Photo |
36" | Dark green foliage with small blue flowers | Start cuttings in early spring. Space 24" apart. | Harvest mature leaves. |
Leaves and sprigs-meats, sauces, soups Dried leaves-sachets to hang in closets with garments |
Sage Salvia officcinalis |
18" | Shrub-like plant with grey-green leaves and purple flowers. | Plant in well drained location. Space 30" apart. | Harvest leaves before flowering. | Leaves-meats, poultry, tea, fish, dressing, stews |
Tarragon Artemisia dracunculus |
24" | Select French tarragon. Fine, dark green leaves | Prefers well drained soils. Space 12" apart. | Harvest mature leaves or sprigs. | Leaves-salads, sauces, eggs, vegetables, salad vinegars |
Thyme Thymus vulgaris Photo |
8-12" | Narrow, dark green leaves | Start seeds indoors. Prefers full sun and well drained soils. Space 10-12" apart. | Harvest leaves and flower clusters before first flowers open. | Leaves-soups, salads, dressings, omelets, gravies, breads, vege |