Herbs for the florida garden
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Transcript of Herbs for the florida garden
Herbs For The Florida GardenJACKIE WILDEY
What Are Herbs
Flavorful - Essential Oils Aromatic Improve the taste or smell of foods
Attractive or Ornamental Great for Containers, Garden Borders, or Formal Garden Designs
Herbs for pest control?
Not documented by any scientific means Anecdotal evidence at best
Maybe it will help Maybe it won’t help
Location
Small space Group annuals together Group perennials together Group away from vegetable plants Part sun / shade
Soils
Soils are extremely important Texture pH Nutrient holding capacity Water holding capacity
Herbs typically have shallow roots Add organic matter Some herbs need well-drained slightly moist
soil: Sage, Rosemary, Thyme Some herbs need soils to retain moisture:
Parsley, chervil, mint
Is Mint A Potential Weed Problem?
Very HIGH water needs in our sandy well-draining soils
Dry Season
Seed Sowing
Ground in Florida best not for direct sow Sandy soils drain fast – don’t retain moisture Coarse texture Heat and sun conditions
You CAN, but best in pots first then transplant Lesson learned the hard way – growing in a window sill
Seed Source: www.mypatriotsupply.com
April 2014
Propagation
Grow from cuttings: sage, balm, rosemary (detail best way to make cuttings) 3-4 inches - Nodes Water/rooting hormone Keep moist – humidity is key (transpiration) Roots develop (about 2 weeks give/take time of year)
Grow from division: chive, rosemary, tarragon
Harvesting
Flavor retained longer if harvested at right time, properly cured, properly stored Dry herbs quickly & away from sunlight to retain color Harvest seeds after fully matured
Mustard seeds – Race the caterpillars Store herbs in containers: Glass, metal, cardboard
Close tightly Keep out light Dry
Herb List AND WHAT YOU CAN USE THEM FORImages provided by Google
Anise
Shrub or small annual (<2 ft) Illicium verum – Culinary Anise SHRUB
Illicium parviflorum – Ornamental Star Anise (Native) Illicium floridanum – Ornamental Florida Anise (TOXIC - Native)
Pimpinella anisum – HERB pH – 6.0 Poor, light, dry, well-drained soil Afternoon shade
Great for flowering garden, border, in pots Leaves may be used fresh Harvest seeds after matured
Basil
Wide range of varieties Sweet Italian Purple Thai Lemon
ANNUALS Grow in pots or in the ground (during the summer)
Soil pH 6.0 Well-drained soil Afternoon shade in the summer / Full sun in the winter Protect from the cold in winter
Borage
Tricky Doesn’t like a lot of heat or humidity Grow in winter Protect from critters
Attractive plant great for in a pot Growing conditions
Soil pH 6.0 Rich, moist, light soil Bright light / Afternoon shade
Cardamom
Perennial – grows from a Rhizome Seeds are used after drying out Looks a lot like Ginger Growing conditions
Moist, rich soil – Needs to be constantly wet, does not tolerate drying out
Shade Humidity
Maybe try it next to a pond
Catnip
Perennial plant if the cats don’t lay down on it
Relaxing tea Growing conditions
pH 6.6 Average, sandy, well-drained soil Afternoon shade
Chamomile
It will grow successfully in winter Protect it from critters Growing conditions
pH 6.7 - 7.0 Light, well-drained soil Afternoon shade
Cilantro – Coriander - Culantro
Annual Use leaves (Cilantro) or seed (Coriander) Culantro – Hispanic dishes use the leaves
Much stronger aroma Freeze for later use
Growing Conditions pH 6.6 Moderately rich, light, well-
drained soil Sun to afternoon shade
Chives
Garlic vs Onion Growing conditions
pH 6.0 Moderately rich, well-drained soil Sun / afternoon shade
Dill
Great flavoring Annual Butterfly attractor Monster Dill grows 4 feet tall Growing conditions
pH 6.0 Moderately rich, well-drained, moist soil Sun / afternoon shade
Garlic
Compound Bulb Aromatic Some succeed in ground, some in pots Divide cloves to propagate Growing conditions
pH 4.5 – 8.3 Rich, deep, moist, well-drained soil Sun / afternoon shade Prune off flowers so energy goes into bulbs Summer or winter, harvest bulbs in summer when
tops start to turn brown
Ginger
Yes, you can plant the ginger root from the store to grow your own ginger Do NOT try to eat ornamental gingers Aromatic leaves
Not edible Use only the roots Takes at least 1 year to get harvest ready roots Growing conditions
Fertile, moist, well-drained soil Shade
Lemon Balm
Fantastic perennial grower Spreads readily Keep watered – doesn’t like to dry out extended periods of time
Growing Conditions pH 7.0 Average, well-drained soils Sun to afternoon shade
Marjoram vs Oregano
Origanum majorana – Sweet Marjoram Gentle, subtly perfumed, calming herb
Origanum spp. – others of the same Genus, different species
Lovely in a pot Grow in ground – provide irrigation Growing conditions
pH 6.8-6.9 Light, dry, well-drained soil Sun to Afternoon shade
Mint
Wide selection of varieties Peppermint, Yerba Buena Mint, Lemon
Mint, Chocolate Mint (not great for using), Spearmint, Pineapple Mint, Apple Mint
Peppermint is your best one to use in the kitchen (best amount of menthol)
Growing Conditions pH 6.5 Rich, moist, well-drained soil Sun to afternoon shade Provide water when dry season hits
Parsley
Curly leaf vs flat leaf Best in cool-season
Doesn’t tolerate heat/high humidity very well, but can if you help it Butterfly attractor Growing conditions
pH 6.0 Moderately rich, moist, well-drained soil Afternoon shade in summer
Rosemary
Perennial shrub Wide range of varieties
All can be used Difference is quantities of essential oils
Best to start from cuttings Don’t Over water Don’t Under water Growing Conditions
pH 6.5-7.0 Well-drained soil Sun to afternoon shade
Sage
Perennial herb easy to grow and to use Attractive silvery-green leaves great as a border or in a pot
Contrast against darker green leaves Start from seed or cuttings Use leaves fresh or dried Growing conditions
pH 6.4 Well-drained, moderately rich soil Sun to afternoon shade
Savory – Summer vs Winter
Both have a zesty peppery taste
Growing conditions pH 6.7-6.8 Average to light, well-drained soil Sun to afternoon shade
Satureja hortensis - Summer savory Annual Upright, branching, 12-18 inches Good with the flower garden
Satureja montana - Winter savory Perennial Woody Weak-stemmed
Tarragon
Perennial herb 2 feet height
Licorice-like / anise-like aroma Grow in winter
Doesn’t tolerate summer heat very well Propagate by division Growing conditions
pH 6.9 Rich, sandy, well-drained loam Sun to afternoon shade
Thyme
Perennial herb Many different varieties
Lemon thyme, caraway thyme, nutmeg thyme Replant every 3-4 years for best growth Use both leaves and flowers Growing conditions
pH 6.3 Light, well-drained soil Sun to afternoon shade