Here's a few easy to grow kitchen herbs for you!Rosemary requires bright light, a minimum of water and well-drained soil. A very tender shrub, it needs protection from frost. Rosemary complements meat dishes, stews and vegetables. It has very delicate roots, so take care not to disturb them at transplanting time. Basil Basil prefers full sun, a fast-draining rich soil and a single dose of fertilizer during the growing season. To promote bushiness and prevent plants from becoming woody, pinch back the flower spikes. Sow seeds in early spring, and make successive sowings every two weeks for these short-lived plants. Beneficial insects are very attracted to basil flowers, so you may want to let a few plants flower for this reason. Sage Sage requires full sun and a fast-draining soil . It grows 2' to 3' in height and should be grown outdoors for best performance but may be over wintered indoors. In winter, cut back the foliage and mulch the roots thickly to protect plants from freezing. Indoors they require very little water unless your house is quite warm. Tarragon Tarragon requires full sun and excellent soil. It spreads slowly by creeping rhizomes and should be propagated by division rather than from seed. Plants should be divided every three to four years. Oregano Oregano requires full sun and isn't fussy about soil, though it needs good drainage. Plants spread by underground stems. To keep them bushy and full, pinch them to prevent blooms from forming. Replant from fresh stock every three years. Oregano is used primarily in Italian and Greek cuisine. Parsley Parsley is a biennial usually grown as an annual, needs afternoon shade in hot-summer regions. Soak the seeds before planting; germination may take as long as three weeks. Parsley attracts beneficial insects. Chicory Chickory is a perennial, requires full sun. The roots may be dried, ground and used as a substitute for coffee. The leaves are tasty in salads and are known as chicory, endive or curly endive. Basil Basil is a tender annual native to Mediterranean climates. It prefers full sun and fast-draining soil. Sow seeds in early spring, and make successive sowings every few weeks. Roselle The flowers of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), native to warm regions from India to Malaysia, are used in sauces, jellies, drinks and teas. Tarragon Tarragon is a perennial, requires full sun and good soil. It spreads slowly by creeping rhizomes and should be propagated by division instead of seed. Capers Capers are the immature flower buds of Capparis spinosa pickled in brine. A shrub, the caper bush requires full sun or partial shade. Thyme Thyme requires full sun and well-drained soil and may easily be grown in containers. Many sorts are available, including those with hints of lemon, coconut and oregano. To harvest thyme, pinch off 2" to 3" of the stem tips, which encourages plants to grow bushy and full. Strip the leaves from the woody stem by grasping the stem firmly with your fingers and pulling the leaves off all at once with a downward sweep. See, herbs is easy, and herbs is fun! Cheers, Patrick
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