g rowing h erbs in n orth t exas d efinition of an h erb two distinct meanings of the word...
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Families, youth, communities and businesses benefit from
educational programs, activities, and resources provided by
Texas A&M AGRILIFE Extension Service organized under these program areas:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H and Youth DevelopmentCommunity Economic Development
Extension is a cooperative program between Federal, State, and County governments
DEFINITION OF AN HERB
Two distinct meanings of the word ‘herb’:
A non-woody plant, from which we get the term ‘herbaceous’.
Any plant that has therapeutic properties.
Although we tend to think of herbs as small,
aromatic plants such as parsley and thyme, they
include a very wide range of plants from annuals,
biennials and herbaceous perennials to trees,
shrubs, climbers and primitive plants such as ferns
and mosses.
Some herbs are not especially aromatic, and
others may even smell unpleasant; for example, a
boxwood hedge after clipping.”
- Deni Bown, Growing Herbs
MOST ASKED QUESTION ABOUT
HERBSHow do you pronounce the word “herb”?
Is the ‘H’ emphasized or not?
The answer is that it depends upon
where you live.
In England, the British emphasize the ‘H’.
In America, the “H” is swallowed. ‘Erb’
is what some say.
WHY GROW YOUR OWN
HERBS?
Easy to Grow
Resilient
Attract Bees and Butterflies
Essential Oils Confuse Pests
WHY GROW YOUR OWN
HERBS? An Herb for Every Situation
Good for your Health
Economical
Reduces your Carbon Footprint
Herbs are Beautiful
USEFUL PARTS
FOLIAGE is the most commonly
used part of an herb.
FLOWERS are used extensively for
the distilling of essential oils, and some
flowers can be added to food.
SEEDS, BERRIES and FRUITS are used in cooking or for making teas.
STEMS are the parts of the plant visible above the ground.
ROOTS, TUBERS AND BULBS refer to the parts below the ground.
THINK ORGANIC
Use Natural Materials
Improve and Maintain Soil Fertility
Encourage Diversity
Select Adapted Plants
You may be eating your herbs!
MULCH
Regulates Soil Temperature
Keeps Plants Cleaner
Adds Nutrients to Soil
Mediterranean Herbs Benefit from
a Mulch of Pea Gravel
LIGHT
At Least Half Day of Sun
Preferably Morning Light with Afternoon Protection
Some Herbs Tolerate Shade
HERBS THATTOLERATE SHADE
Bergamot
Chervil
Chives
Lemon Balm
Lemon Verbena
Mints
Parsley
Pineapple Sage
St. John’s Wort
Tarragon
Violets
WATER
Wet Soil Thoroughly
Allow to Dry Between Watering
Group Plants According to Water Needs
Apply Water at the Root Zone
Rainwater
FERTILIZING
Amended Garden Soil
Provides Nutrients
Encourages Healthy Growth
Avoid High Nitrogen
Slow Release, Organic Heavy Feeders: Basil and Chives
ANNUAL HERBS
An annual plant is one whose
complete cycle of development from
germination of the seed through
flowering and death occurs in a
single growing season.
BIENNIAL HERBS
A biennial plant is one that requires
two seasons to complete its growth
cycle, usually generating vegetative
growth the first year, then flowering,
fruiting and dying in the second.
PERENNIAL HERBS
A perennial plant is one that
continues the cycle of new
growth, flowering and fruiting for
at least three years.
PERENNIAL HERBS
Bay
Bergamot
Catmint
Chives
Echinacea
Fennel
Hyssop
Lavender
Lemon Balm
Mints
Oregano
Rosemary
Roses
Sage
Savory, Winter
St. John’s Wort
Tarragon
Violets
WATER MISERHERBS
Aloe Vera
Artemisia
Lamb’s Ear
Mullein
Oregano
Rosemary
Rue
Sage
Skullcap
Thyme
Gardening with littleor no supplemental water
HERBS FOR CONTAINERS
Containers can be Moved as Needed
Sun/Shade
Protection from Harsh Temperatures
You Control the Environment
Invasive Herbs can be Controlled
Convenient Height for Ease of Maintenance
CONTAINER GARDENING
BASICS Use Commercial Soilless Mixes
Check Daily for Water Needs
Fertilize more Frequently
Group Plants with the Same
Needs Together
Graduate Plants to Larger Containers as they Grow
CONTAINER GARDENING
BASICS Tall, Medium and Cascading
Mix with Annuals and Bulbs
Protect Containers from Temperature Extremes
Mulch
HERBS FOR CONTAINERS
Bay
Lavender
Lemongrass
Lemon Verbena
Pansies
Pelargoniums
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Ginger
GROWING HERBS INDOORS
Generally Not Recommended
Sunny Window or Artificial
Light Source
Selective Pruning/Pinching
Water Judiciously
Potential Pest Problems
HERBS TO GROW INDOORS
Basil
Bay
Chives
Dill
Lavender
Lemon Verbena
Oregano
Parsley
Pelargoniums
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
GROWING HERBS FROM SEED
Basil Borage Caraway Cilantro Dill Fennel Nigella Parsley Poppy
EconomicalGreater Selection
WORKS CITED
Bown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses. London, Dorling Kindersley Limited, 1995
Bown, Deni. Growing Herbs. London, Dorling Kindersley Limited, 1995.
Foley, Caroline, Jill Nice and Marcus A. Webb. New Herb Bible. London, Quintet Publishing Limited, 2002
Harding, Jennie. The Herb Bible. New York, Barnes and Noble, 2005.
Hill, Madalene and Gwen Barclay. Southern Herb Growing. Fredericksburg: Shearer Publishing, 1987
WORKS CITED
Kowalchik, Claire and William H. Hylton. Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Emmaus, Rodale Press, 1987
McVickar, Jekka. The Complete Herb Book. London: Kyle Cathie Limited, 1994
Roth, Sally. The Successful Herb Gardener. New York, NY: Hearst Books, 2001.
Schlosser, Katherine K. The Herb Society of America’s Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking with Herbs. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2007
www.aggie.horticulture.tamu.edu
www.garden-herbs.com
www.lsuagcenter.com
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Master Gardeners:• Receive training and continuing education in horticulture
• Share their expertise through a wide variety of projects
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For horticulture information and services972-548-4219 972-548-4232
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