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 as summer approaches, the heat can be hard on it, 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 hard time, as the 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 without 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 allow me 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 many years if properly preserved. 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 gets too intense 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 don’t have experience with your own plants, I invite you to start by growing herbs. In my opinion, herbs are the easiest plants to grow. All you have to do is water them, cut them regularly, feed them good-quality plant food, and provide plenty of sunshine for 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