Seven Essential Herbs for the Garden

Fresh or dried, herbs add flavor and depth to almost any dish. Herbs, fresh or dried, are costly items at the supermarket, but you can have herbs at the ready for a fraction of the cost. Add these seven essential herbs to your garden and you'll have them on hand whenever a recipe calls for herbal additions and save money on your grocery bill.

Rosemary
A hardy perennial native to the Mediterranean, the rosemary plant is now found almost worldwide. In more temperate climates, such as the southwest United States, a rosemary plant may live as long as 15 years in an outdoor garden. Rosemary has an earthy, pungent aroma that complements beef and chicken, and just a little is needed to add depth to roasted vegetables.

Sage
Sage has an earthy aroma that reminds you of Thanksgiving dinners and hot pork roast sandwiches. A perennial herb, sage produces for up to three years before its leaves start to lose that rich, pungent flavor. Use fresh if you want a strong, savory taste but use sparingly, as fresh sage can overpower other flavors in the dish. Dry the leaves, leaving them whole. Rub the dried leaves between your fingertips when you add this herb to your dishes for a more controlled, subtle taste.

Oregano
The word oregano means, "Joy of the mountain" in Greek; it grows wild and in abundance in that Mediterranean country. This earthy herb has a strong, sharp flavor to it that balances well with sweet tomato sauces or spicy enchilada sauces. It's a prolific grower, so dry your clipped sprigs for use in a dry rub or herbal mix.

Thyme
This herb is available in many varieties, but try the common thyme for your garden. It has a lemony undertone that makes it an ideal herb for chicken and fish. If you want to eliminate table salt from your cooking, replace it with thyme. This herb brings out the natural flavors of food, enhancing any dish in much the same way as salt does, only without the negative health effects.

Basil
No garden is complete without basil. Try adding a variety of basil plants such as spicy globe, purple ruffle, Thai basil and of course, sweet basil. Use spicy globe in Mexican dishes, and purple ruffle or Thai in stir-fry. Sweet basil is an essential ingredient in many Italian dishes. And nothing tastes fresher on a summer's day than sliced tomatoes topped with fresh basil leaves and crumbled goat cheese.

Parsley
An annual herb, parsley does more than garnish your plate for presentation. It has a savory undertone to it that adds depth and interest to soups and stews when stirred in at the last moments of cooking. Parsley grows best in the cool weather, and though it doesn't have a long growth period, two or three plants may provide you with enough parsley for drying to last you to the next growing season. Use this dried herb with dried basil, oregano and thyme for an herbal seasoning mix perfect for meatballs or Italian meatloaf.

Mint
Mint has an unmistakable scent to it: sharp, crisp, fresh. Used in an array of foods, from meat to vegetables to candy and cocktails, mint is a abundant producer. One plant in your garden is likely to suffice simply because it continues to spread. Consider growing mint in a container to control its prolific growth habit.

Mountain Valley Growers
P. Allen Smith