Chives
It is the leaves of these charming little onions that one dices to add to
salads, sandwich spreads, etc. The plants and their round purple flower heads
(also edible) are pretty enough for any garden, and make attractive permanent
edgings for herb gardens or flower beds. They grow eight to twelve inches high
and like full sun. Plant the bulbs (onions) at any time, or you can start them
from seed--though that gives much slower results. If any of your friends have
chives, they will be happy to give you a start. Put plants five inches apart,
for they will multiply rapidly. Cut the plants nearly to the ground each year
after they flower, and new growth will come up immediately. Divide clumps every
few years so they will not become overcrowded and do poorly. Chives love
compost.
Mint
That minty-smelling plant that grows wild in this area is a variety of
Pennyroyal, a fairly toxic member of the mint family useful only to repel bugs.
Do not ingest this wild plant.
There are
numerous types of mint, but probably spearmint is the most popular. Its leaves
are used to flavor cold drinks and to make mint sauce. Put some sort of barrier
around this plant family's roots, for mint is an invasive spreader that will
crowd out other plants. Set it inside a sunken tile or in a space enclosed by
paving. To get a start, buy a plant. It will grow one or two feet high in sun or
part shade, and will like moist soil. Leaves for drying should be cut before the
flowering season.
Parsley
This handsome, dependable plant with curly, fringed foliage is a biennial
usually treated as an annual, and does best nearest the coast or during the cool
season of the year if inland. To speed the germination of seeds, soak them in
water overnight before planting. Parsley likes full sun, is low-growing, only
six to eight inches tall, and makes an excellent garnish or edge for the herb
garden as well as a garnish and flavoring for food. Leaves may be used fresh at
any time or be dried in a very slow oven. You may dig and pot plants in autumn
to bring indoors for use during the winter. Set the pot in a sunny window and
give it good care.
Sage
Plants are started from seed sown outdoors in spring in full sun. Each plant
needs eighteen inches of space. They grow 1 1/2 to 2 feet high, with wooly gray
leaves that have a pebbled texture. It is these leaves that are used, fresh or
dried, for seasoning meats and dressings. Pick them from the stem at any time to
use fresh or dry. If you cut the plant back occasionally, new growth will
develop.
Thyme
Tiny aromatic leaves cover this creeping groundcover plant that is related to
mints. It comes in many varieties and grows from two to ten inches high. Get
your start by buying plants, begging a division from a friend; or, if you are
clever with seeds, you can start them. Thymes like sun and very fast-draining
soil. They tolerate drought. Each year, after the flowering season, cut the
plants back severely--or do it in early spring.
