Herbs All Year Long and Beyond

Summer has arrived, but don’t give up on your herbs. There are plenty of ways to enjoy them all summer long and beyond. Springtime here in Florida has always been good for the garden, but when summer gets closer, the heat can be hard on the garden, especially the herbs. Woody herbs such as thyme, sage, rosemary, and tarragon are heat tolerant, so they are pretty much safe, but leafy herbs like dill and parsley can have a challenging time as the sunny sun could burn them to a crisp. Year after year, I wasn’t sure what to do with my leafy herbs when the temperatures would get to an all-time high. I would try to keep them alive by watering them as much as possible before overwatering. Asking friends and family if they could use some herbs, I would do all I could before time ran out. Finally, last year, I decided to preserve my herbs by letting them dry. People have been using this preserving method since the beginning of time. Dried herbs give me the opportunity to use them in any way my heart desires. I could make teas, flavor salts, season meats, sauces, marinades, etc. The sky is the limit. Herbs can last for numerous years if preserved properly. I no longer have to worry about waste or purchasing herbs at the grocery store. The quality is not the same as homegrown herbs. The taste and smell are unmatched, and you would agree if you experience fresh herbs right from your garden. All in all, if the heat happens to get too hot and I end up losing my herb plants in summer, I can rest assured that I can still enjoy them straight from my home apothecary. 

If you have never started a garden before or haven’t the experience of having your own plants, I invite you to start with growing herbs. In my opinion, herbs are the easiest plants to grow. All you have to do is water, cut regularly, feed them good-quality plant food, and provide plenty of sunshine for at least 5 to 8 hours. Again, summer doesn’t have to be the end of your herbal experience.

Summer Seasonal Herbs

Refreshing herbs that will help you enjoy and celebrate the sunny season.

• Lavender
• Mint/Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Lemongrass
• Lemon Verbena
• Basil