Thyme for Herbs

      Herbs are the workhorse of the plant world. They attract pollinators, brighten the landscape, enhance culinary creations, and offer balm to body and soul. Here’s some “sage” advice about a few herbs and why they deserve a place in your garden.

    Unlike annuals (cilantro, dill, basil) that need to be planted yearly, most herbs are perennial, dying back in the winter and returning year after year. Thyme, sage, and oregano can live for 5-10 years, while rosemary can live up to 25, given favorable conditions and proper care. 

So what exactly are “favorable conditions”? Most herbs need 6-8 hours of daily sunlight, well-drained soil, and minimal fertilizer. Some herbs require moderate water; others, like lavender, prefer drier conditions. Excess water and fertilizer promote lush growth at the expense of flavor and can even hasten the plants’ demise.

     Whether you choose to plant by seed or purchase transplants, group herbs according to their water and sunlight requirements. For example, rosemary, sage, oregano, and lavender thrive on my dry rocky slope; parsley hangs out near the vegetable beds, happily reseeding year after year. I tuck annuals (cilantro, basil, dill, borage) among tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables to attract pollinators, deter insect pests, and enhance plant health.

      Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about herbs — and made a few mistakes along the way. Here are some tips:

     Fennel is a host plant for butterflies, provides nectar for pollinators, and attracts beneficial insects, but it is not a team player when it comes to other plants. Its roots contain allelopathic chemicals that may stunt growth in vegetables. Plant fennel in pots or in a dedicated isolated area nearby where it can act as a pollinator magnet while repelling aphids and other pests. 

     Mint repels insect pests like flea beetles and cabbage moths, but its aggressive nature makes it a poor choice for planting in the vegetable garden. If you invite mint in, it will take over, ignoring all eviction notices. So unless you’re hosting a mojito party for an entire city, opt for “containmint” and plant it in containers that you can place near vegetable beds. This warning goes for lemon balm as well.  Despite its soothing name, it belongs to the mint family — you can tell by its square stems. Bees adore it; many gardeners do not.

     Cilantro prefers cooler weather. Plant it early in the season as warm temperatures cause it to bolt. Its seeds, known as coriander, are a tasty addition to Indian dishes. Harvest them by snipping the heads and placing them in a paper bag to dry.

     Basil, on the other hand, is highly sensitive to cold; temperatures below 45-50 will cause stunting and dieback. Wait until the weather is well settled before planting. Keep the plant lush by pinching back flowers or cutting back stems. BONUS: If you harvest more than you need, place the extra stems in water where they will soon grow roots, giving you a new plant.

     Epazote (Mexican tea): This weedy-looking annual boasts tiny flowers that attract some predatory wasps and flies. It’s an essential ingredient in Mexican cuisine. When added to a pot of black beans, it adds flavor while purportedly breaking down the complex carbohydrates that lead to gas and bloating. 

     To learn more about the benefits of herbs in the vegetable garden, check out these sites:

 Companion Planting | Portland Nursery

Herbs Make Good Plant Partners and Companions

 Practice the good neighbor policy in the garden: Try companion planting | Newsroom

 If you’re looking for inspiration, visit the herb garden at the Hood River Extension office, where you’ll find herbs for every purpose–medicinal, decorative, and culinary. Isn’t it “thyme” you planted herbs in your home garden?

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     Central Gorge Master Gardener volunteers provide free beginning gardening classes and continuing education to home gardeners. For research based information about specific gardening or pest questions, submit your concern online at www.extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/hoodriver or by phone at 541-386-3343. Home gardeners can also drop off plant or pest samples Monday - Thursday between 9 AM and 4 PM at the OSU Hood River County Extension Service, 2990 Experiment Station Drive, Hood River, OR.

     The Central Gorge Master   

Gardener program is a division of the OSU Hood River County Extension Service. OSU Extension Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs, services, activities, and materials.