What are herbs?

In general terms, an herb is any plant that does not have a woody stem.  

While that is the simple definition, historically herbs have come to include any plant which has a specific benefit to humans.  This can be merely adding flavor to food or actually having medicinal or other healing properties.

Many people are confused as to what herbs really are.

Because of their many benefits, herb gardening has become quite popular.  Growing and harvesting your own herbs can not only be convenient, it’s enjoyable and can also help you to save money as packaged herbs are often quite costly.  

Rather than spend money on the processed herbs you find in the grocery store, why not use your own, fresh crop?  

It makes perfect sense.

Once you have found your answer to the question what are herbs, you can start considering exactly which herbs you’d most like to grow.  Different plants can have different benefits, from easing stress to improving circulation to helping with memory loss.  

From a culinary standpoint, the various plants can be used to enhance flavor or add an extra zing to recipes.

Fortunately, herb gardening is actually quite easy as most herbs are simple to grow.  

You can plant everything from basil, chives and dill to sage and mint directly in your garden or put them in container or windowsill gardens for ease of access and to allow you to move them as the temperatures change and sunlight shifts.

There is really no easy answer when the question, what are herbs is asked.

hey come in different shapes and sizes, some are annuals (which need to be replanted every year) and others are perennials (which only need to be replanted every few years).  

Some will grow very large, others remain small and low to the ground.  Among the easiest herbs to grow is mint, which can come in many varieties and needs very little encouragement to flourish.

Herb gardening is really a matter of deciding where you want to plant and preparing the spot.  Fresh soil, infused with compost or other organic matter, is extremely important as is controlling the amount of sunlight and water your plants get.  

Most herbs don’t need a lot of water, just keep them reasonably moist.  Some will flourish in direct sunlight while others, like mint and lemon balm, prefer shade.

If you’ve wondered what are herbs, you are not alone and there is plenty of helpful information out there to get you started on your way to planning and maintaining your own herb garden.  

It can be the easiest way for even the novice gardener to get his or her feet wet and be almost assured of success.  

There is literally very little you can do to ruin an herb garden!

Nothing can beat the feeling of adding your own freshly grown herbs to a recipe or enjoying the relaxing scent of homegrown lavender at the end of a stressful day.  

So don’t hesitate...discover the wonderful world of herb gardening today and you’ll be feeling better before you know it!