Herbs

Chia, Salvia hispanica, is a member of the mint family and is native to Mexico and Central America. Chia is grown primarily for the small mottle-colored seeds which are used as a food source. There is another plant grown for seeds, Salvia columbariae, that is commonly known as golden chia, desert chia, or…

Garden Help > Herbs Three popular varieties of sorrel are garden sorrel (Rumex acetosa), French sorrel (R. scutatus), and red veined sorrel (R. sanguineus). French sorrel is the preferred variety for culinary use. It grows throughout Europe, in almost all soils and situations. The arrow…

Garden Help > Herbs Dill can be grown for both its leaves and seeds. It is a self-seeding annual which will return year-after-year if seeds are allowed to mature in place. Dill is native to southern Russia, western Africa, and the Mediterranean. It is part of the Umbelliferae family, which includes…

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a warm weather annual herb grown for both its leaves and seeds. There are many varieties of basil including Sweet, Thai, Lemon, Genovese/Italian, Purple Leaf, and Tulsi or Holy Basil. Growing techniques are common for most, although African Blue Basil is grown as a tender…

Garden Help > Herbs Fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum, is one of the oldest cultivated medicinal plants. Its exact origin is unknown, but it is believed to be native to Southern Europe and Asia. The green parts of the plant are mildly bitter and typically cooked as a vegetable,…

Garden Help > Herbs Choose a sunny location with well drained soil.

Garden Help > Herbs Ginger, Zingiber officionale, is a tropical plant originally from southern China. It can be grown in Northern California with the right amount of care. The "root" portion used in cooking is a rhizome, technically not a root but an underground stem.Culinary ginger plants and their…

Garden Help > Herbs Lavender has many uses in the home garden. It can be a hedge, border, or part of an herb garden. In culinary use, lavender flowers are used in herbal teas and desserts. There are many more uses for lavender in fragrances, potpourris and sachets, oils, and aromatherapy. The various…

Garden Help > Herbs Lovage, Levisticum officinale, originates from the Eastern Mediterranean. It is typically grown for its leaves, stems, roots, and seeds. The leaves have a flavor similar to celery, only stronger. They are commonly used to flavor salads, soups, and stews. Lovage is considered to be…