Italian Herb Garden Secrets

Grow an Italian Herb Garden today can be easy and fun. These fresh herbs will liven any dish and bring a touch of Italy into your kitchen. Here are a few you might consider.
ROSEMARY
Rosemary grows very easily on its own. It needs sunlight and well-irrigated area to grow the bluish- green small bushes. Start Rosemary from seeds or from cuttings and let it grow on its own; too much water can kill the plants. The leaves can be cut, as you need them, and will grow back quickly. Rosemary is very aromatic, and wonderful to sprinkle on meats and vegetables.
SAGE
Sage is more difficult to grow than rosemary. The area must be very sunny and moist. You should grow your sage from cuttings. You begin them indoors and then transplant them about 12 to 18 inches apart. Sage plants also become very thick and less tasty after the 4th year, so you will need to plant new cuttings. Sage is used on meats, vegetables and salads.
PARSLEY
Parsley is also an easy plant to grow in direct sunlight or slightly shady areas. You can plant parsley from seeds and it will grow quickly. The leaves taste the best in the first and second year, take the seeds and regularly plant to new parsley plants. Parsley can be used on vegetables, meats, and soups. It also will dress up any plate.
OREGANO
Plant your oregano in sunny well-drained area from other oregano plants' roots and cuttings. You will only need a few plants, because there will be plenty of leaves to cut or even dry for the winter. These plants spread out runners to begin new plants. They are the tastiest when cut before they flower. Oregano is often used with basil and tomato dishes, but it adds flavor and color to salads, fish, vegetables and other meats as well. This is one of the favorites in most Italian herb gardens.
GARLIC
Garlic grows in bulbs easily in any garden. Plant the bulbs with the pointed end down and with 2 or 3 inches between each bulb and clove in the fall. These plants are hardy and will come up in the spring. Harvest them when the leaves turn brown. The cloves should be plump and firm.
BASIL
Basil needs to be planted in a sunny area from seeds. Pinch off flowers to keep the leaves the most aromatic and tasty. These plants will return in the spring and ready for your marinades and pasta.
These are just the beginning of growing your Italian herb garden. You will find that these are a must to get started with. As you get better at growing herbs in general you can add more each season. Before long you will have a great variety of herbs growing, and be the talk of your family. Have fun with it, and get those herbs growing.