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YARD AND GARDEN

Herbs for your garden make sense

In February I start thinking about the garden and what's not in it. Quickly I realize the magic word of "space," but that thought is immediately dispatched to the dark recesses of my conscious. So what if space is at a premium? Something is bound to die and something will spread, but that's no reason to assume another plant can't go in somewhere. A good friend is trying to convince me to start trying various herbs, and with good reason. You can even grow herbs inside during the winter.

David Robson

Herbs are that select group of plants used for cooking, dying and medicinal value. To cut to the chase, they smell good. They make spaghetti sauce taste less like tomato. And, if needed, herbs keep vampires away.

I've grown herbs before. Catnip still lines my driveway. Nothing excites my felines more than my walking through the herb, and then discarding the shoes on the landing indoors. For the next hour the shoes are batted against the walls and the cats become more docile. If catnip had the same effect on humans, it surely would be illegal. But at the moment, it's okay to drug your cat.

Say "sage" and every wise person (get it?) will think of turkey and dressing. The plant, like many herbs, looks great in the landscape even if you don't like dressing and fowl. The gray-green leaves combine nicely with most garden perennials.

Herbs are probably the easiest plants to grow, with a few exceptions. Rosemary is one. It loves the heat and humidity of the summer as long as it's not over watered. However, it dies in a snap when the temperatures fall below the teens, which means it was compost fodder in early December last year.

Basil and dill are annuals, which means they have to be planted every year, though dill may come up from seed that wasn't gathered before it fell on the ground. Parsley is a biennial, but most cooks will tell you the flavor is worthless if it isn't planted every year. The vast majority of herbs are perennials, which means once they are established you should be able to harvest them year after year. It also means they'll keep on growing and spreading year after year. Particularly the mints and balms. But that also presents an opportunity to share your plants with others, unless they know how rampant some of the plants spread.

Most herbs prefer a good loose, highly organic soil, full sun and about an inch of water per week. Essentially, those are the same conditions as most vegetables and annual flowers. I'd add that improving the quality of the soil is essential, as the herbs will be around for several years. Decomposed manures and composts are the best things to add. Work 4 to 6 inches of organic matter into the soil at least 8 inches. Before you plant, take some time and plan. You don't want to stick the tall borages in front of the low groundcover-like thymes. Some of the herbs don't possess what you might call real attractive features, though the leaves and/or flowers are tasty. You might want to relegate those plants behind the garage or shed.

If I were to plant a small herb garden, I'd probably choose a plant like sage and make sure I picked it frequently to keep it from spreading. Throw in a couple of the thymes for their attractiveness and mild flavor. Basils are a definite, though not all of them have strong flavor. Basil is almost nothing without oregano and vice-versa. Dill goes with just about anything and just about any part of the plant can be used. French tarragon is one of my favorites but be careful. There are some people selling tarragon seed; avoid those. You'll end up with Russian tarragon, which has no flavor and sets seeds everywhere. French tarragon is started from cuttings only. Taste a leaf before buying. If there is no flavor, you don't want it.

Lemon balm smells great in the yard, especially if you crush a few leaves while working in the garden. Unfortunately, it spreads. You might want to grow it in a pot, or an old clay field drainage tile sunk in the ground. That's a good method for most mints. Garlic is another must, though it's best planted in the fall. Chives can be a good spring substitute. Don't forget pots as an alternative. As long as the soil is loose, and you keep the soil from drying out, herbs can be grown throughout the spring, summer and fall. Then, bring the pots indoors to enjoy fresh herbs throughout the winter.

David Robson, extension educator, horticulture: e-mail: Robsond@mail.aces.uiuc.edu or SOLUTIONS: www.ag.uiuc.edu/~robsond/solutions.

David Robson is an Extension Educator, Horticulture, at the Springfield Extension Center, University of Illinois Extension. You can write to Robson in care of Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, IL 62708. Telephone: (217) 782-6515. E-Mail: robsond@mail.aces.uiuc.edu

16 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2001