Soft Versus Hard Kitchen Garden Herbs

First, backyard vegetables gardening must include kitchen garden herbs.  They enhance the flavor of sauces, salads and other dishes.  But, before you plant or purchase your herbs, learn the difference between soft and hard herbs.  Also know their uses.  For example, soft herbs are leafy, tender and best used fresh.  Fresh herbs enhance the flavor and appearance of dishes.  Soft herbs can be used in sauces, salads, potatoes, and greatly enhances the taste, appearance and nutritional value of the food.

 

 

 

Here’s a list of soft herbs:

  • Basil (Sweet, Spicy, Genovese, Lemon, Lime, Cinnamon, Dark Opal and Thai to name a few).
  • Parsley – (Curly or Flat)
  • Cilantro
  • Tarragon
  • Fennel
  • Chives
  • Mint

 

kitchen garden herbs

 

Hard herbs are considered more flavorful than soft herbs.  Additionally, these herbs are added to dishes that require long, slow cooking, such as soups, stews, casseroles and roasts.  Hard herbs are removed before serving the dish.  Here are a few herbs that fall into this category:

  • Rosemary 
  • Thyme
  • Marjoram
  • Oregano
  • Dill
  • Bay Leaves
  • Sage
  • Mint (Chocolate, Orange, Strawberry,  Julep)

 

kitchen garden herbs

Most importantly, if you are planting mint remember that it is invasive.  So, I recommend that you plant this herb in a container to keep it from spreading. You should know, dill is know to reseed year after year.  So, be selective on where you plant it as well.  Additionally, you can plant various herbs in mason jars or small containers for use during the winter.  Find a few small pots, and place them in your window sill.

Another idea, use fresh basil, oregano, sage and rosemary in the winter from your window sill plants.  As a result, use them when cooking soups, stews, casseroles and roasts.  Also, herbs are perfect in these dishes.  I freeze and dry my basil and parsley.

Last, if you have limited space decide which herbs you will most likely use.  In conclusion, plant plenty and preserve them for later use. What herbs do you use most?  These are the herbs you should grow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  1. Growing and using fresh herbs is something I need a lot of lessons on!

    • Rhonda Gales says

      I use them in tomato sauces, pasta dishes, salads, my turkey dressing, even on my turkey and chicken when I’m baking them. So many ways to use them and they are so easy to grow. If you make your own pasta sauce, basil and oregano are a must.