by Vicky Josephino

Created on: November 18, 2009

When you decide to plant herbs for a hobby, know first their types so you can plan properly on what location in your garden to place them. This will make it convenient for you to look after them and ensure their proper growth.

There are three major types of garden herbs based on their lifetimes: the annuals, the perennials, and the biennials.

The herbs which are under the annuals category cannot survive in cold temperatures in the temperate countries. The seeds of cilantro, basil, and summer savory herbs are therefore needed to be replanted every year. Seeds can be sprouted indoors just before the warmer months come in, and they can just be transplanted outside a few days before the cold season ends.

The perennials are herb plants that can survive in the cold temperatures of winter, so they can just be left outside continuously growing, year to year. The sage and winter savory belong to this category of the herb plants.

The third type, the biennials, are the herb plants that start forming leaves in their first season of growth, followed by the flowers that come in the following season, after which they die. So, they are only alive for two years at most. Herbs like the angelica, parsley, and caraway are planted in seed form in the last days of spring and the plants need soil that is well-cultivated and of fine texture with enough moisture in it. The seeds of these herbs are planted in rows under a firm top soil.

When it comes to their uses, herbs are also categorized into culinary, aromatic, medicinal and ornamental types.

The culinary herbs are the most popular and the most commonly planted among herb gardeners because of their valuable use in the cooking of different food recipes. These herbs, which include thyme, basil, chive, marjoram, savory, and sage, are used for intensifying the flavors of different types of food. Initiated by the Italians, many nations now use these herbs as food flavoring. Parsley is a special herb famous as a garnishing in many food preparations.

The oils from the aromatic herbs like loyage, mint, and rosemary are used in making perfumes, colognes, scents, or sprays - all modern tools in making one good smell. Another use for the aromatic herbs, when dried, is by making potpourri.

For people's health, some very powerful herbs are used as organic medicines. With the developing trend of people preferring the use of herbal medicines, these types of herbs are becoming more popular.

The last category of herbs according to their use is the ornamental herbs. The valerian herb, with the bright and attractive colors it possesses, is one example of this kind of herb.

You have to know the different types of herb plants for you to fully appreciate the many kinds of herbs that are now used by people. It pays to be conversant with this so you can benefit from their uses.

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