Download Growing and Enjoying Herbs, Julie Riley

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, USDA & SEA GRANT COOPERATING
Anchorage District: 2221 E. Northern Lights Blvd. Suite 240, Anchorage, Alaska 99508-4143
Phone: (907) 279-5582
Contact:
Julie Riley
279-5582
GROWING AND ENJOYING HERBS
Fresh herbs are a d e l i g h t for gardeners who enjoy savoring the
fruits of their labor.
The varieties of herbs which can be
purchased freshly cut is limited, but if you're willing to grow
your own the possibilities are endless.
Many herbs are heat-loving plants indigenous to the M e d i t e r r a n e a n
region with alkaline soils.
To successfully grow some of these
herbs under Alaska's conditions may require providing them with
the warmest spot in your yard such as a south-facing slope.
As a
general rule, plan to apply lime if you have not been doing so on
a regula r basi s.
Another option is to grow herbs in containers.
This allows you
to avo-id cold soil temperatures and make use of reflected light
from buildings or patios.
The best herbs for container growing
are those which do not get real tall.
thyme, and savory,
These include marjoram,
The best variety of dill for container
growing is the shorter growing 'Bouquet, 1
Curled parsley makes a
b e t t e r container plant than the more flavorful Italian
flat-leaved parsley because it is more compact.
If you are fortunate to have a greenhouse, save a little space
next to your tomatoes to plant some basil.
to its taste when used fresh!
flies into your greenhouse.
Nothing can compare
Be careful not to introduce white
They love basil too.
Basil is an
annual and like the other annual herbs can be seeded indoors in
May with plenty of time for harvest.
It's i m p o r t a n t to know which herbs are annuals and which herbs
are perennials.
Many of the perennial herbs need to be started
indoors in February or early March if you intend to have a
sizeable plant to place outside in the herb garden in June,
Chives, mint, and oregano would never stand a chance otherwise.
An exception among perennial herbs is French sorrel.
French
sorrel has large enough seeds that it can be planted directly
outside.
bitter.
Harvest the young tender leaves before they turn
They make a wonderful addition to green salads.
In Alaska it's difficult to say which herbs will be true
perennials and return to your garden each year.
Because of the
many microclimates, an herb which makes it through the winter in
one g a r d e n won't necessarily do so in the next.
Some herbs are
known to be tender perennials which are not winter hardy.
include lemon verbena, rosemary, and scented geraniums.
These
These
tender perennials are best grown in a greenhouse or kept indoors
on the window sill.
Nasturiums make a nice addition to the outdoor herb garden.
Their brilliantly colored flowers do well under our growing
conditions and their leaves add a peppery zing to salads.
If you
intend to give this annual a head start and plant it indoors, use
peat pots because nasturiums do not like to have their roots
disturbed.
Peat pots do not break down easily under our cold
soil conditions.
When setting peat pots in the garden, slit one
side carefully, cut out the bottom, and peel back any of the
upper rim which sticks out of the ground.
Camomile is another delightful annual herb.
It is grown for its
small daisy-like flower which is harvested for use as a relaxing
tea.
This herb is best sown directly into warm garden soil.
It
does not like to be transplanted and its seeds are so small that
it is not easy to plant in peat pots.
may self-seed
Once established, camomile
itself the following year if you're lucky.
confuse the different types of camomiles when buying seed.
the German camomile which makes the best tea.
has a very bitter flavor.
Don't
It's
Russian camomile
There is a common Alaskan weed which
is also sometimes called camomile.
This plant smells like
pineapple when the flower heads are crushed.
It's different from
the German camomile cultivated in gardens,
Borage is an annual which can be started indoors in peat pots or
seeded directly into the garden.
It is a very large plant and
grows quickly so should not be started indoors before May.
Borage also self-seeds in the garden like camomile.
It is grown
for its cucumber-flavored stalks and dainty blue flowers which
are used as a garnish.
The bees find it very attractive.
sure to give it plenty of space.
Make
One plant will easily take up
2-square fee t.
Many of the local seed racks include a few herbs.
Determine
whether those that you are considering are annual or perennial,
You may be able to purchase plants of the perennials you'd like
to try this summer.
Trying to grow a few new herbs each season
will provide you with years of gardening adventure.
Julie Riley, Extension Horticulture Agent
Cooperative Extension Service, Anchorage