Dieting, Herbs, and More...

Herb Column.

Give your diet some flavor with fresh “home-grown” Herbs!

Grow in a pot on your patio or plant right outside your back door by making a kitchen garden. Just step outside and snip a few leaves for dinner.

Three of the easiest to grow herbs are Oregano, Thyme and Chives. All can be found at your local garden center/nursery. When planting in a pot, just use a regular potting soil and make sure the plant gets half a day of sun (preferably morning sun). Good drainage is the key to healthy happy plants so make sure your pot has holes in bottom to drain. Try putting several different varieties in one pot and mix a few long blooming annuals in for color.

If you are planting a kitchen garden, dig up a small area near the back door using regular potting soil amended with a bit of peat humus. Make sure the bed drains well and gets at least half a day of sun. Where summers are hot, even the hardiest herbs appreciate some afternoon sun. It is best to water in the morning if soil feels slightly dry.

Oregano: This herb will grow most anywhere in average soil. The leaves are small and almost heart shaped with small purplish flowers in clusters on stems in mid-summer. Oregano spreads by under-ground stems making it a little invasive but easily pulled up if it gets out of bounds. It is fun to mix herbs throughout your flower garden. Cut off a few stems to flavor a dish, dry them by hanging upside down in a cool dry place or use the microwave by placing on a paper towel. Time varies for drying so you have to experiment. Also, can be cut and fresh frozen for winter use.

Thyme: Common thyme is a hardy perennial with tiny leaves and clusters of purplish flowers in mid-summer. Very attractive as a ground cover or looks especially nice at the front of a raised flower garden where it can cascade over the edge. Sprigs can be cut to garnish a dish, dried for latter use, or fresh frozen.

Chives: Attractive hollow stemmed leaves growing in grassy clumps from small bulbs. Clusters of purple blossoms on 10 “stems in early spring. When the flower heads dry, it will be full of seeds. You can scatter seeds for more plants next year or give away to friends. Chives have an onion flavor and can be cut fresh for salads, potatoes, etc. They also can be frozen.

Start your own Herb Garden and enjoy the flavor and smell of Herbs!!

Fiber Diet pills | Also check out more Herb Gardening and Weight Loss Tips to come!