Setting Up a Herb Garden

Herbs are aromatic, they add flavor to the dishes you cook and have many medicinal properties. They have been known to human beings for thousands of years. I read somewhere that even Stone Age man knew the use of herbs.

There is a movement these days to go back to natural products. We are inundated with artificial products made of sythetic or chemical components. Herbs have been used from ancient times to purify air, protect our children from colds and minor ailments. This makes it totally worthwhile to have your very own herbal garden. I grow mint, basil, lemons and green chillis in my backyard for the kitchen, I also grow hibiscus and aloevera. Hibiscus is really good for the hair and aloe vera has too many wonderful uses. Rose is excellent for the skin and the eyes and yes, I grow roses too.

It is a wonderful experience to get part of your meal from your very own garden. Things that are fresh taste wonderful and add so much aroma and quality to your dishes.

It is really easy to grow your very own home herb garden. It does not take too much space and effort, and what is more, it personalises your food. Imagine adding some vegetable from your own garden into your salad or even plucking some leaves from your backyard and munching on them raw, since they are so fresh and safe to eat.

Names of common herbs grown indoors

One of the most easiest herbs to grow are chives. They do not need personal attention and beginners can not go wrong with that.

Another familiar herb is Mint. Greeks used mint as an after-bath lotion; this was also used to purifying drinking water. It can be added to your salad, or you could flavor yoghurt with mint. It can be eaten raw too.

Basil is hardy, and can be grown without much effort. It can be used like mint. It has amazing medicinal properties.

Chinese cabbage, endive,parsley, beet and turnip greens etc.can be grown in the backyard. Some flowers are incredible. Rose can be used in many beauty products, the petals can be added to fruit salad. Some flowering plants are truly bountiful. For example, in the plant nasturtium, leaves, flowers and buds all are edible.