Arranging a spice bed in your garden has many advantages. On the one hand, the gardener receives aromatic herbs that are used in preparing first and second courses. On the other hand, a pleasant smell spreads throughout the garden, which, moreover, repels some insect pests. Growing herbs does not require much space, so you can build such a bed even in a small area.
List of greens that can be planted
Plants that will subsequently be used as seasonings for various dishes are either annual or perennial. The latter have one undeniable advantage - they are planted once, and for several seasons they continue to produce a harvest of fragrant greenery.
In addition, if you show your imagination, you can build a beautiful flower bed from herbs and flowers that will delight the eye throughout the season.
Perennial herbs
From an extensive list of aromatic plants, each gardener will be able to choose the appropriate option for his site:
- Korean mint. The plant, which belongs to the Yamnotaceae family, has several other names - Tibetan lofant, rugose polygonum and rugosa agastachys, and is characterized by a pleasant anise aroma, thanks to which it is used in salad dressings. In addition, it is believed that the herb is capable of strengthening the immune system, for which it received another name - northern ginseng. Lofant is used not only in cooking, but also in cosmetology, as it promotes skin rejuvenation. One of the main advantages of the plant is its unpretentiousness to growing conditions. Korean mint is grown both by direct sowing in the soil and by seedlings. During the winter, the plant requires shelter.
- Lovage. As a rule, spicy herbs are grown through seedlings, and the leaves are harvested in March. Lovage propagates by dividing the bush. The herb is processed into essential oils, which are subsequently used both in cooking and in cosmetology. In addition, the aromatic stems of the plant are used as a seasoning for drinks and baked goods.
- Oregano. A plant from the Yamnotaceae family is also known to gardeners as oregano.It has many species and grows both as a subshrub and as a herbaceous crop. The spicy plant is characterized by a persistent and strong aroma and is especially popular in preparing Greek dishes. Oregano is seasoned on fried fish, served with cheese, and added to olive oil to give it a pleasant aroma. The plant is grown in open ground until November, and in greenhouses and at home - all year round.
- Hyssop. Another representative of the Yasnotkov family. Dried leaves taken from the upper third of the plant are used in cooking. In addition, hyssop has found use in folk medicine due to its bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Marjoram. This spicy herb is used in cooking both fresh and dried. It is added to soups, salads, main courses, and is also used for canning vegetables. In addition, the aromatic herb is used in the preparation of liqueurs, sausages, puddings and essential oil. Traditional medicine recommends recipes containing marjoram for the treatment of diseases of the digestive and respiratory tract. The tonic and wound-healing properties of the spicy herb are also known.
- Melissa. The essential oil plant is grown for its leaves, which release a lemony aroma when crushed. Melissa is added when brewing tea, preparing soups and sauces, as well as vegetable salads.
Annuals
The list of annual herbs includes the following plants that are popular with gardeners:
- Basil. There are several varieties of the crop and many varieties bred by breeders, most are grown as annuals.The aromatic herb loves warmth and does not tolerate temperatures dropping below 0 degrees. If a gardener plans to grow basil with seeds, then sow the material in March and begin planting seedlings in June. The herb is more often used fresh than dried; it is added to meat and fish dishes, sauces and gravies.
- Borago. This culture has another name - borage. The plant received this name for the similarity of its aroma to the smell of fresh cucumbers. It is used in salads, okroshkas, added to cottage cheese and sour cream, and is also used as a flavoring in the preparation of wines, beer and vinegar.
- Savory. The herb belongs to the Yamnotaceae family and is used both in cooking and in traditional medicine recipes. Dried herbs, ground into powder, are a strong spice, and young fresh leaves are reminiscent of thyme, but with more pungent undertones.
- Dill. Not a single salad or canned vegetable for the winter can be prepared without this aromatic greenery. To always have a young spice on hand, it is recommended to re-sow the crop every 2 weeks.
Where to buy seeds
It is recommended to purchase seed material from gardening stores. In this case, it is possible to view the certificate of conformity and production date. Also, many summer residents order seeds through online stores.
When is the best time to plant
In order for herbs to grow healthy and produce a rich harvest of greenery, it is necessary to choose the right planting time.
in spring
All annual plants are sown or seedlings are grown from seeds with the arrival of the first warm days. The exact timing depends on the type of crop. As a rule, seeds are placed in open ground at the end of March, and seedlings are planted throughout May and June.
In summer
In the summer, herbs with a short growing season, such as dill or mint, are planted.
in autumn
Before winter, it is preferable to sow perennial plants, then with the arrival of warmth they will quickly sprout and begin their growth and development.
How to plant beautifully
As a rule, at the dacha, several herbs are placed in one bed; the main thing is to choose the right “companions”. To make the area decorative, fragrant plants are also planted in the flower bed.
Several options for a harmonious combination of plants:
- Lavender is placed in the foreground, with fennel as the background. Basil and cosmos are sown in the background, which contrasts with its greenery with its blood-red flowers.
- If the flower garden is created in an elevated sunny place, then lemon balm, thyme and horned violet will look beautiful in the neighborhood.
- Pelargonium flowers look spectacular against the background of dark thyme leaves.
- If you have created a long, narrow bed, you can plant marigolds in the background, red-leaved perilla in front of them, and place parsley in the foreground.
Features of growing in a greenhouse
If the gardener has a heated greenhouse at his disposal, then he can grow herbs all year round. However, it must be remembered that in an enclosed space, plants will have to be watered more often to obtain juicy and aromatic greens.
