Herbs add spice to life

By Elaine Gaston - egaston@thesunnews.com

PAWLEYS ISLAND --

Sprigs of lemon balm drifted in the bottom of Cecelia Campbell's homemade herbal tea, giving the ice-cold beverage that extra-special flavor of freshness.

Campbell had just snipped the lemon balm from her back deck, which holds a bounty of fresh herbs for making teas and enhancing homemade dishes cooked in her kitchen.

Greek oregano, chives, marjoram and basil are just a few of the herbs Campbell has growing in plastic and ceramic containers on her deck.

"Being a cook, I love having fresh herbs," Campbell said. "You really don't have to work very hard at it. Even if you walk away and forget them, as long as they have sun, they'll do fine."

Growing sun-ripened herbs is easy, doesn't require a lot of maintenance or space and provides a wonderful boost to homemade dishes, growers say. Many can be grown from seed or purchased as transplants. There's just nothing like a meal flavored with fresh herbs snipped from your backyard, they say.

"There are benefits to growing herbs," said Elizabeth Eisenberg, president of the Low Country Herb Society.

"Not only because of their textures and smells, but they add a lot to the garden and they can be grown all year round. You're not just limited to the spring and summer. You can go into the winter months as well."

Interest in herb gardening, especially in containers, is on the rise, mainly because people want to know what they're eating and they believe in the therapeutic benefits of gardening, said Chris Reynolds at Inlet Culinary Garden in Murrells Inlet, where customers can purchase herbs and edible landscaping.

"People are becoming more concerned where their food is coming from," Reynolds said. "And I think it's coming from people getting back into gardening for the serenity it gives them from the rat race of today."

The younger generation in particular is attracted to the instant gratification container gardening provides, Reynolds said.

"There's nothing like the satisfaction of going out your back door and picking something off a plant you've grown yourself," he said. "It's one of the simple pleasures of life we've overlooked."

Most any plant can easily be grown in pots, but like a pet, plants need their master's attention to thrive.

"It isn't a statue," Reynolds said. "It does need to be cared for. ... Container gardening is more work because containers can be stressful for plants. They're restricted to what you're giving it. You're creating the environment in which they live."

It's important to know the plant's water requirements and to plant them in soil that's right for them, he said.

"Some soils can compact too much or hold too much water" for the plant's liking, Reynolds said. "Amending your soil is one of the basic things you have to do in gardening."

Reynolds' best advice for new gardeners is to do research. Learn about the plants and what their needs are, he advised.

"Do research on what you're planning on planting," Reynolds said. "There's no substitute for thorough research on a project. You have to do your homework."

That's what Erynn Benjamin did when she moved to the Grand Strand area 12 years ago from New York state, where she grew herbs but was restricted because of the long winter months. She learned all she could about growing herbs down South, including reading books and soliciting the help of the experts at Inlet Culinary Garden. She has since planted in the ground and in containers a variety of herbs, including cilantro, parsley, rosemary, chives, sweet marjoram and oregano.

"It's one of the things that's so exciting about living here," Benjamin said. "You can garden year round."

She said she most enjoys the ready and easy access to fresh herbs she's grown herself in her backyard.

"It just makes plain cooking special," she said.

Herb enthusiast Campbell also was a transplant, having relocated from Southern California and, like Benjamin, needed a lesson in growing the edibles in South Carolina. She also needed tips on growing them in containers since her homeowners association prohibited in-ground gardening because she lives in a condominium.

"I did not let that sway me from my passion," she said. "I have been pleasantly surprised to find that the Lowcountry's climate actually allows me to grow some herbs more easily than in Southern California. ... I now have a full-fledged culinary herb garden set up on my deck."

Contact ELAINE GASTON at 626-0299.

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Herbs are easy to grow.

Many are drought-tolerant.

Many do not need very fertile soil.

They are naturally resistant to insects and diseases.

They can be easily grown in pots and other containers.

Growing herbs

Plant in raised beds or containers to improve soil drainage.

Choose cultivars that are tolerant of the climate. Buying plants that are locally grown will ensure you have varieties that do well in the area.

Use mulch of stone or gravel to help prevent rot.

Most herbs need at least six hours of sun daily. Some, such as angelica, parsley and mint, prefer partial or full shade.

Pinch the tips of new plants to force them to branch out and become fuller.

Although many herbs are drought-tolerant, they will need moisture to boost growth. Allow the soil to dry out before dousing again. Water early in the day to allow leaves to dry before nightfall.

# HTMLInfoBox~~Great container herbs

Basil | Features large, sweet green leaves that are great for making pestos. The lemon-scented cultivars enhance the taste of fish. Look for "Genovese," "Lettuce Leaf" or the more exotic basils, such as "Cinnamon" or "Thai" basil. Needs full sun and well-drained soil.

Chives | Features grasslike dark green leaves with showy lavender flowers that edible and used in salads. Look for "Garlic" chives. Needs full sun.

Cilantro | Used for its fresh young greens or seeds in many Latin and Southeast Asian dishes. Seeds are called coriander and are used in Indian cooking and pastries. Needs full sun to part shade and rich, well-drained soil.

Dill | Features feathery young leaves used in salads and with vegetables and fish. Dill readily self-seeds.

Lavender | Features narrow, grayish evergreen leaves. Great for making potpourri and sachets or for flavoring tea or desserts. Some cultivars can't adapt to the Southern heat, but those that do include "Dutch," "Provence" and "French" lavender. Needs full sun and excellent drainage.

Lemon balm | Features heart-shaped, light green or yellow leaves and a strong, sweet lemon scent. Makes nice herbal tea. Needs sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. It spreads and will self-sow easily.

Lemongrass | A relative of pampas grass, this lemon-flavored plant is used for making tea and in southeastern Asian cooking. Needs full sun to part shade.

Marjoram | Similar to oregano, but milder in flavor, this plant features gray-green leaves and pale mauve flowers. Needs full sun with moderate watering.

Mexican tarragon | True tarragon is difficult to grow in South Carolina, but Mexican tarragon is a good substitute because of its heat and drought tolerance. Used in many dishes. Needs full sun.

Oregano | Features small rounded leaves and pale pink flowers. Great for seasoning meats, stews, soups, spaghetti sauce and pizza. Needs full sun and well-drained soil.

Parsley | Features curly, tasty leaves. Produces leaves the first year and flowers the next. Often used as a garnish. Needs light shade with rich, moist soil.

Rosemary | Features gray-green or dark green needlelike leaves and blue or occasionally white flowers. Fragrant and great for seasoning meat dishes, especially chicken. Needs dry, sunny area.

Sage | Features broad oval, gray-green leaves, used for flavoring soups, stews and poultry stuffing. Look for "Bergarten" sage, which does better in the heat. Needs full sun and excellent drainage.

Scented geraniums | Available in a variety of scents, including rose, apple, apricot, cinnamon, lemon, peppermint and spice. Used in cookies, cakes, teas and potpourris. Needs sun and good soil.

Thyme | Low-growing and great for flavoring many different foods. Features silvery, wooly leaves. Needs full sun and well-drained soil that stays dry.

Source: Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service's Home and Garden Information Center, http://hgic.clemson.edu

Resources

Low Country Herb Society, meets second Tuesday of each month September through May at St. Paul's Waccamaw United Methodist Church in Pawleys Island, 650-2847

Inlet Culinary Garden, off U.S. 17 Bypass, Murrells Inlet, 357-1194

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service's Home and Garden Information Center at http://hgic.clemson.edu