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Home , Lemon balm

Delaware State University Cooperative Extension Program Culinary

Next to my vegetable garden, I love my -Ocimum basilicum (Annual) garden. For one reason, I can go out into my herb Start and transplant to the herb garden after garden and pick fresh herbs and use them in my recipes. For another reason, herbs are an aromatic danger of frost has passed. Space transplants paradise for your senses. Some herbs like basil, eight inches apart in well-drained soil. sage, and are very strong or Harvest leaves all summer long. For longer har- pungent and others, like lavender and , are vest, don't let the . milder. Herbs may be used fresh, dried for future Dry whole leaves and store them in an air-tight use or sold at one of the many Delaware Farmers container. Use in breads, butters, cheeses, eggs, Markets. meats, salads, sauces, vegetables and vinegars.

Nine Popular Kitchen Herbs - Allium schoenoprasum (Perennial) Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Chives (Allium Start seeds in the spring and transplant nine inch- schoenoprasum), (Anethum graveolens), es apart in the herb garden. Divide clumps every Balm ( ), Oregano three years in the spring or early fall. Chives like (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum), well-drained soil, and will tolerate poorer soils. (Petroselinum crispum), Rosemary (Rosmarinus To harvest, cut leaves leaving two or three inches officinalis), Sage () and Thyme for re-growth. (Thymus vulgaris). Store fresh Chive leaves in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Dry leaves Soil and Growing Requirements and store in air-tight container. Unlike most plants, herbs are not picky about their soil; however, they do not like wet feet, so Use leaves in breads, butters, cheeses, eggs, fish, they should be grown in well-drained soil. They meats, salads, sauces, vegetables and vinegars. require six or seven hours of sunlight a day. Dill-Anethum graveolens (Annual) Propagation Direct or transplant 10 inches apart in the Seeds of Basil, Chives, Lemon Balm, Oregano, garden. Dill easily drops seeds to produce new Parsley, Sage and Thyme need to be started plants. It thrives in rich, well-drained soils. indoors four to six weeks before the last frost in Protect this tall from harsh winds. To har- the spring. vest cut young leaves, pick just as seeds begin to form, or wait until seed heads turn Divide Chives, Lemon Balm, Oregano, Sage and brown. Hang brown seed heads upside down in a Thyme plants in spring or early fall. paper bag to dry. Use leaves or seeds in breads, butters, cheeses, Growing, Harvesting and Use Guide eggs, fish, meats, salads, sauces, vegetables and Cooking tip: One teaspoon of dried herb is equal vinegars. to one tablespoon of fresh herb. To ensure optimal herb crush leaves just before using. DSU Cooperative Extension Culinary Herbs

Lemon Balm-Melissa officinalis (Perennial) Sage-Salvia officinalis (Perennial) Start seeds in early spring and transplant 15 inches Start seeds in the spring and transplant in the gar- apart outdoors. Divide or take cuttings in the spring den, spacing about 20 inches apart. Grow in well- or fall. Lemon Balm likes full sun and tolerates drained, alkaline soils and in full sun. Prune Sage moist soils. plants after flowering. Dry leaves or use fresh. The purple flowers may be used fresh in salads. Use fresh leaves in teas and vinegars. Dried leaves are used in fish, meats, sauces, vegetables and poul- Use Sage in breads, butters, cheeses, meats, sauces try dishes. and teas.

Oregano-Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum (Perennial) Thyme-Thymus vulgaris (Perennial) Start seeds in early spring and transplant 15 inches Start seeds in the spring and transplant outdoors apart in the garden. Divide mature plants in the spacing 12 inches apart. Divide mature plants in the spring or fall. Oregano plants thrive in full sun and spring or early fall. Grow in full sun and well- in well-drained, alkaline soils. Harvest leaves any- drained, alkaline soils. Dry leaves and store in an time before the plant produces flowers. Be sure to air-tight container or use fresh. allow plants time to re-grow before late fall. Use in breads, butters, cheeses, eggs, fish, meats, Dry or freeze leaves for use in breads, butters, salads, sauces, vegetables and vinegars. cheeses, eggs, meats, salads, sauces, and vegetable dishes. For more information, contact:

Parsley-Petroselinum crispum (Biennial) Maggie L. Moor-Orth Agriculture Educator Start Parsley seeds early in the spring and then Delaware State University Cooperative Extension transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed. 1200 N. DuPont Highway Parsley loves well-drained soil and full sun to semi- Dover, DE 19901-2277 shade. It will flower the second year. (302) 857-6426 To harvest, cut Parsley leaves and use fresh or dried. [email protected] Use in breads, butters, cheeses, eggs, fish, salads, sauces, and vegetables. Dr. Arthur O. Tucker College of Agriculture and Related Sciences Herb Research Center Rosemary-Rosmarinus officinalis (Perennial) Delaware State University Cuttings should be taken in late summer. Transplant Dover, Delaware 19901-2277 outdoors when plants have grown roots. Space trans- 302-857-6408 plants in the garden 24 inches apart. Grow [email protected] Rosemary in well-drained, alkaline soils, and in full sun. Protect plants from severe winter temperatures The Delaware Herb Growers and winds. This evergreen herb may be picked fresh and Marketers Association all year long. http://www.delaware-herb.org The Herb Hotline (302) 857-6467 Use in breads, butters, cheeses, eggs, fish, jellies, meats, sauces, teas and vegetable dishes.

DSU Cooperative Extension 2004

Cooperative Extension Education in Agriculture, Youth Development and Home Economics, Delaware State University, University of Delaware and USDA cooperat- ing, Dr. Dyremple B. Marsh, Dean and Administrator. It is the policy of Delaware Cooperative Extension that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex, disability, age or national origin.