The Versatility of an Italian Herb Garden
Posted: Sunday, January 10, 2010
by Sarah Phillips
HerbGardeningCentral.com
Having an Italian themed herb garden is fun and exciting. With Italian herbs straight from your garden you can delve into the delicious world of Italian cooking. Using your own fresh herbs will enhance it even more.
A popular herb, basil is a staple in the Italian herb group. The popularity of basil in Italian cuisine cannot be overstated. It serves a dual role, one in the kitchen, and another in the garden. Growing basil alongside peppers and tomatoes enhance the flavor of the fruit. It repels mosquitoes and flies and so serves in pest-control.
Oregano is an herb that has multiple uses; it is as ornamental as it is flavorful. When allowed to reach maturity it produces beautiful purple flowers. Delaying the oregano harvest until after it flowers enhances its flavor.
Fennel is best known for its seeds and is used in many Italian sausages. Fennel bulbs are also used in many dishes. Interestingly, fennel actually loses flavor the older the plant gets. As a perennial, fennel should be divided and replanted every few years.
Like basil, rosemary has a double-duty in the garden. Rosemary grows into a large shrub and produces lovely little blue flowers. This benefits the rest of the garden by attracting bees. It is a hardy evergreen perennial it should be protected from frost.
The most powerful Italian herb is garlic. In addition to warding off vampires, it adds a flavor and aroma to any dish that is all its own. Garlic should be planted in every Italian herb garden. Once a garlic clove is planted it requires very little attention. After harvest you can use garlic fresh, frozen, or pickled. Store fresh or pickled garlic in your refrigerator, well sealed.
Sage is used in meat dishes and salads in Italian, other ethnic, cooking. In America it is the main flavoring agent in pork sausage. Harvest sage by trimming the young shoots before they get woody. This trimming also encourages new shoots to form. Sage is best harvested after it blooms.
Plan in advance which herbs you are most likely use in your Italian herb garden. Consider your garden space (indoors or out) and determine if you can provide the proper growing conditions for each herb. While Italian herbs are famous for adding flavor to a meal their versatility should not be overlooked. Many of the Italian herbs enhance landscape design. Others are fabulous as ornamental and aromatic herbs. Plan to plant Italian herbs among your other plants and your nose will take you away to Italy as you walk through your garden.
Sarah Phillips is an herb gardening enthusiast, and enjoys helping others get started in this wonderful hobby.
Discover more versatility of an Italian herb garden by clicking here.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Sarah, welcome to searchwarp. I think you'll find your fellow writers to give excellent advice...marijo is the best!
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