by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: November 10, 2008   Last Updated: September 07, 2010

An herb garden can be one of the most enjoyable types of gardens anyone can grow. They can be grown just about anywhere, whether it be in pots on a windowsill in your kitchen, containers on your patio, in raised beds outside, or in your regular garden beds in your yard. You can add herbs to your regular flower gardens, or you can plant them with your vegetables. You can even use some herbs to repel deer and other little animals that like to munch on the plants you grow.

There are many factors to consider before starting an herb garden. Think about where you would grow them, the amount of space you have, whether you can use them as companions to other plants, as borders in a perennial  garden or to fill in spaces elsewhere. Some herbs are best grown in containers because they have a tendency to become too invasive. That would include any variety of mint and chives.

*Herbs for pasta or pizza sauces -

If you want to make your own tomato sauce, you might want to consider planting oregano, marjoram and basil. On the other hand, if you want to make a lot of Latin, Asian or Caribbean dishes, you'll want to plant cilantro. Bay leaves are great for soups and stews. Tarragon is wonderful on fish and chicken, and in soups such as a spinach soup. Be sure you get French tarragon because it is the one with the best flavor.

*Making pesto -

If you want to make your own pesto, which is incredibly easy to do, you'll want to plant a lot of basil. Look for the Genovese variety since this has the best flavor. The large leaves make it easier to grind up nicely in a blender of food processor.

*To add low calorie flavor to cooking -

The use of herbs is a great way to add intense or not so intense flavor to foods without having to resort to high calorie, high fat flavors like oil, butter, and other unhealthier choices. Any meat, pork, chicken or fish recipe can be made to taste rich and delicious with the right combination of herbs. You can also add flavor to pasta, rice and/or potato dishes by using herbs.

An herb garden or a collection of herbs planted among other things in your yard or garden can be a wonderful and useful addition to your plant collection. Some herbs are perennials and will return every year, but other such as basil are annuals, and you can always harvest seeds from your plants to make sure you get the same plant again the next year. By growing your own herbs, you will be able to add delicious and low calorie flavor to everything you cook, and you'll save a lot of money by not having to buy expensive dried or fresh herbs in the supermarket.

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