Herbs

More Information:

Vegetable Gardening
Companion Planting

SHERIDAN GARDENS NURSERY, INC

Burbank Store

817 N. Hollywood Way

Burbank, CA 91505

(818) 841-8845

www.sheridangardens.com

Herbs

HERBS, commonly used as medicine, seasoning, fragrance, or for general household use, are more popular than ever. They are versatile as garden plants. Some creep along the ground making fragrant carpets, while others are shrublike and can make formal or informal hedges or borders. Many make attractive container plants while others with their gray foliage are striking contrasts to green-leafed plants. However, many herbs do have a distinctly weedy look, especially when planted next to an ornamental plant. Refer to The Sunset Western Garden Book, page 322 for specific landscape suggestions.

Many are hardy and adaptable. Although hot, dry, sunny conditions with poor but well-drained soil are usually best for most herbs, some thrive in shady, moist locations with light soil rich in humus.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN: Can be grown in a sunny raised bed near the kitchen door, in a planter box near the barbeque, or in a portion of a vegetable garden. Herbs also do well in window boxes and pots!

BASIL	Summer annual; requires warm soil, full sun. Fertilize once during growing season with complete fertilizer such as Nurseryman’s Green-up. Water regularly. Keep flower spikes pinched.
CILANTRO	Annual. 12-15 in. high. Seed known as “coriander.” Grow in good, well drained soil, full sun. Keep flowers off for good “cilantro” leaves, flowers if you want to harvest “coriander” seeds.
CHIVES	Small, clump-forming, perennial onion. Sun or light shade. Good border. Needs moist, rich soil.
DILL	Annual. Full sun. Let plants go to seed. Sow seed several times during spring and summer.
SWEET MARJORAM	Perennial. Fairly moist soil, full sun. Keep blossoms cut off and plant trimmed to prevent woody growth.
MINT	Perennial. Spreads rapidly by underground stems. Best in light, medium-rich, moist soil, partial shade. Keep flowers cut off.
OREGANO	Perennial. Upright to 2 ½ ft. Spreads by underground stems. Sun, medium-rich soil. Needs good drainage, average watering. Prevent flowering.
PARSLEY	Annual. 6-12” high; attractive for edging of garden. Partial shade or sun.
ROSEMARY	Evergreen shrub. Rugged, picturesque. To 2-6 ft. Flowers attract birds and bees. Hot sun and poor soil, but good drainage is a MUST. Once established, needs little watering (will get woody otherwise). Frequently tip pinch when small. Feed lightly, thin occasionally. Useful in erosion control.
SAGE	Annuals and perennials depending on variety. Shrubby kinds need little summer water. Perennials need moderate water. (See Sunset Western Garden Book for details).
SAVORY	Annual and perennial herbs, sometimes shrublike. Aromatic foliage.
SUMMER SAVORY	Summer annual. To 18 in. Light soil rich in humus, full sun, average water.
WINTER SAVORY	Perennial or sub-shrub. 6-15” high. Sandy, well drained soil with light watering. Sun. Keep clipped. Not as delicate in flavor as summer savory.
TARRAGON	Perennial. 1-2 ft. Spreads slowly by creeping rhizomes. Dies to ground in winter. Attractive.
THYME	Ground cover. Erect, shrubby perennial. Foliage heavy scented. Attracts bees. Grows in warm, light, well drained soil that is fairly dry.