Winter Herbs
Fresh herbs from the garden in February bring lively flavors to winter meals. Just cutting and handling them can be aromatherapy.
Here are a few images of some of the herbs in my winter garden. They’ve been refreshed by the rains and a couple were recently transplanted.
Italian oregano
Chives
Thyme
Flat-leaf parsley
Read more about growing herbs from seed in Barbara Pleasant’s post: Growing Herbs from Hand to Garden
Some herbs grow best when sown right where they are to grow but distinguishing weeds from seeds can be difficult. Here are Barbara Pleasant’s suggestions.
Seeds vs. Weeds
If you're a new herb gardner, you may have trouble telling the difference between herb seedlings and weeds. Even though tiny weed seeds often are impossible to see, almost every square inch of garden soil contains them, and they often spring to life alongside newly germinated herbs. Try these tips to help keep seedling chaos to a minimum.
Plant your herb seeds in a pattern, such as a zig-zag line or circle. Seedlings that emerge in keeping with the pattern are easier to recognize as herbs.
Cover herb seeds with potting soil rather than garden soil. Potting soil usually contain no weed seeds, and its dark color makes it easy to remember exactly where you planted the seeds.
As you pull little weeds or thin crowded seedlings, smell them if you're not sure which ones are herbs and which ones are weeds. Most herbs give off a little aroma and flavor even when they are tiny sprouts.
Plant a few herb seeds in small containers and use them as examples so you learn to tell the difference between herb seedlings and weeds.
