Indoor Herb Gardens

Liven up family meals with fresh herbs grown in your very own Indoor Herb Garden. Herbs have many uses including that of being a major source of seasoning for foods. Many gardeners and homemakers are rediscovering the pleasure of producing their own herbs. Just imagine colorful flowers and tasty herbs beautifully displayed in a planter that can be placed indoors or outdoors as the weather changes.

Most herbs fit into one or more categories according to their use:

• Culinary Herbs are probably the most common due to their wide range of uses in cooking. These herbs, because of their strong flavors, are generally used in small quantities to add flavor.



• Aromatic Herbs have a variety of uses but not as popular to grow. Most have pleasant smelling flowers or foliage. Oils from aromatic herbs can be used to produce perfumes, toilet water, and other types of fragrances. The plant parts are often used in creating sachets to scent linens or clothing. Many aromatic herbs, when dried, will hold their aroma for a considerable length of time.



• Ornamental Herbs are practical as well as beautiful. They have brightly colored flowers and foliage and can be mixed in with other varieties for flavor as well as show. They are commonly grown for use in fresh or dried arrangements.



• Medicinal Herbs have long been used in medicine and are believed to have the power to cure a wide range of ailments. Others have preventative characteristics. Medicinal herbsshould be used carefully. Some herbs are harmless while others can be dangerous if consumed.

Herbs also can be classified as annuals, biennials, and perennials. Annuals bloom for one season and then die. Biennials live for two seasons, blooming the second season only. Once established in your indoor herb garden, perennials live through the winter and bloom each season.