Herb plants from your own herb garden are an easy and inexpensive way to make recipes even tastier than you ever imagined. Herbs can also be used for garnishes or as adornment for your dinner table. Knowing the secrets and tips to harvesting herbs will make them even more flavorful and enticing.

Taking advantage of the spicy, sweet, or pungent flavors of foliage removed from herb plants requires more than simply plucking them from the garden and tossing them in a recipe. When you know how to properly harvest, prepare, and preserve the fruits from your herb plants, you will get more from your Herb Gardening efforts. A Culinary Herb Garden is a treasure once you learn the secrets to harvesting herbs.

The herb harvesting process is not difficult nor does it take a lot of expensive equipment or processing. The most important secret to remember about harvesting from herb plants is to retain as much of the natural essential oils as possible. Essential oils are one of the most vital and important parts of the herb plants and most all herbs store valuable, flavorful oil within the leaves.

Learning about herb harvesting without losing the natural oils in the leaves will result in the most aromatic, flavorful, and savory herb plants possible. Whether you are using herbs fresh from the garden, or drying them for later use, preserving oil from the herb plants is the most important thing to remember during harvesting.

Culinary Herb Garden Harvesting

The following tips will help you harvest the most luscious and delicious herbs possible:

1. Always consider the timing of the harvesting process. Mornings are the best time of the day.
2. Since the wind can disperse and dilute the essential oils of the herbs, you should harvest them on a calm, dry morning during mid-summer.
3. Keep in mind that fewer oils are produced by the herb plants on extremely wet days so the herbs will not be as fragrant and pungent if harvested during rainy or wet days.
4. Dew settling on herbs can affect the oils and flavor so be patient and wait until the dew has dried from the leaves right before the flowers open.
5. Harvesting should be done before the sun becomes too hot or the heat will cause the herbs to have less oil.

Culinary Herb Gardening Secrets for Continual Growth

Not only is it important to harvest at the right time, it is also important to understand how to harvest from the herb plants. Pulling large clumps of herbs and flowers from the plant can cause damage. Knowing the secrets about how to harvest delicacies from the herb plants will make them more precious.

Consider these essential tips for herb harvesting:

1. Do not remove the entire plant or you will lose the opportunity to have a continual harvest of freshness from the herb plants.
2. Herb gardening takes time and effort and you should only take a small amount of growth and foliage from herb plants for each use. It is recommended not to take more than 1/3 of the plant’s foliage at any one time.
3. The herb plants require a fair amount of foliage to continue reproducing and growing well so take care during the harvest and afterwards. Do not handle herb plants in a way that causes unnecessary loss of foliage.
4. Herbs can be picked for immediate use or they can be dried, prepared, and saved for later use. Never harvest more than you believe you can use in a reasonable time because the fresher the herbs, the tastier and more fragrant.
5. Before, during, and after harvesting, always check the herb plants for insects or damaged leaves. Take necessary precautions to remove or avoid insects in the future.
6. Using a good pair of sharp shears or knife is advised. Pulling with the fingers may damage the plants and the root system causing poor herb production later.

Culinary Herb Gardening Rewards

A Culinary Herb Garden brings great pleasure to those who engage in the process. Once you learn the important basics about herb harvesting, you will find that herb gardening is rewarding and uncomplicated. A few tips can make a significant difference in how your herb plants reproduce and grow in the future. Taking the time to properly prepare will make the Herb Gardening experience more effective with every herb plant you choose.

Knowing when to harvest from herb plants and how to take care of the plants for continual beauty and production of healthy, fragrant foliage is a treat for the senses. Start your Culinary Herb Gardening today and watch your herb plants flourish for a long time to come.

Ralph J Miller is the author of this article and the creator of the Ebook “My Sectets to a Successful Herb Garden”. For more information and tips on herb gardening and growing herbs indoors, please visit our website at http://www.MyHerbGardeningSecrets.com and while your there you can register to recieve your Free Herb Gardening Secrets Mini-Course.

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I have finally been hooked on growing my own herb. I am even going to grow them indoors this winter. Fresh is so good.

Growing your own herb plants is a good way to create fresh, aromatic herbs for many different purposes. Growing herbs indoors is simple since herb plants grow well in pots and they thrive in sunny window sills. Any type of pot or container that allows for well-drained soil will be a welcome home for herb plants.

There are three (3) important things necessary for an indoor herb garden and these are the same essential things needed for outdoor herb gardens too.

1.  Adequate sunlight
2.  Well-drained soil
3.  Plenty of water

These three things are important for growing herbs indoors so a window sill or surface where sun enters through a door or window is important. A kitchen herb garden is an excellent place to start. If there is a window in the kitchen that faces south or west, you can take greater advantage of natural sunlight. If you have a problem with a lack of adequate sunlight, growing herbs indoors can also be accomplished by using a light source such as a “grow lamp” or fluorescent lamp. While these are available, natural sunlight is always preferred if it is available.

Soil is the next important consideration. Herb Plants grow best in well-drained soil that is not too rich. Using two parts sterilized potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite for herbs is a good mixture for pots. It is also beneficial to put about an inch of gravel or small rocks in the bottom of each pot to allow for adequate drainage. When growing herbs indoors, it is essential to ensure that pots do not become too wet and drainage helps avoid this problem. Adding about a teaspoon of lime for a 5-inch pot will help ensure that the soil is best suited for herbs. When the soil is optimal, the herb plants will grow strong and healthy and maintaining the herb plants will be easier.

Next, don’t overlook the importance of water when growing herbs indoors. Herb Plants grown in pots need adequate water, although it’s important not to over-water them. Herbs grow well when misted lightly with cool water. When growing herbs indoors in pots or containers, water them more often but avoid drenching the roots and leaving them soggy. They will not thrive in a pot that is too wet. A light spritz of water is a good way to keep them damp but not saturated.

When growing herbs indoors, it is easy to start a herb garden without a lot of fuss and trouble. Following these three essential tips for indoor herb garden projects will help ensure that your herb plants are healthy and produce fragrant herbs for cooking or other purposes. This is just the beginning of the wonderful experience of herb gardening and before you know it, you’ll be ready to take your indoor herb garden into the outdoors too.

Ralph J Miller is the author of this article and the creator of the Ebook “My Sectets to a Successful Herb Garden”. For more information and tips on herb gardening and growing herbs indoors, please visit our website at http://www.MyHerbGardeningSecrets.com and while your there you can register to recieve your Free Herb Gardening Secrets Mini-Course.

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