Growing your own herbs in an Italian herb garden provides a huge amount of possibilities. Italy has some of the best and most well known herbs in the world.  And herbs have an important role at least in a small way to contributing to popular Italian dishes.

One well known Italian herb is Basil and it is useful in many recipes. Basil will not only add flavor to many Italian cuisines, it is useful in the garden to other plants. Planting Basil next to your peppers and tomatoes will actually improve their flavor. Plus, basil will also repel flies and mosquitoes. Click here for more: italian dried herbs

Parsley, while slightly harder to grow will find it’s way into many Italian recipes as well as other types of cuisine. Fresh parsley also used to be used for refreshing the breath after an appetizing meal. So the custom of serving parsley with a dish arose.  That is why today many of us use parsley as a garnish to our food.

Equally tasty and appealing is Oregano.  When it is fully mature it will sprout pretty little purple flowers.  Remember that Oregano should not be freshly used until it has  fully blossomed because this is when it is at it’s flavorsome best.

Next is Fennel. whose seeds enhance the zest of many a sauasage.  Fennel, unlike Oregano, looses its essence with age. To get the best out of this perennial, every few years it should be divided and replanted to enhance the taste. For more visit our blog: Herb Gardening Blog

Like basil, rosemary is an Italian herb that is beneficial to the garden.  IT sprouts little blue flowers and grows into a large shrub. It also finds usefulness in attracting pollinating insects like bees. Although it is a tough evergreen perennial, it is sensitive to frost.

Probably the most used herb in Italian cuisines is garlic. An Italian herb garden would simply be incomplete without this useful herb.  They need little attention once planted and will thrive in most gardens. They can be stored to be used at a later time after they are harvested by freezing them or pickling them to store in the refrigerator.

Another herb used in Italian dishes from salads and meats is Sage. New shoots of the plant contain the most flavor so it is recommended not to let sage plants to get to woody by keeping them trim. This will encourage new growth.  Harvest Sage after it has bloomed.

Although there are so many more herbs that can be included in an Italian herb garden, you really should consider which herbs you will use. Think about the growing conditions each plant needs and consider whether or not you can provide them. So while Italian herbs are essential for cooking they also provide much more than just flavor. They also make amazing additions to landscape designs. They can be particularly useful for their smell and color.

By planting Italian herbs amongst other plants, you will be graced with the sweet aromas straight from Italy. It will be like wandering through the Italian countryside. Click here for more: Herb Garden Facts