Was wondering what herbs grow well here in Texas? The only time I have grown herbs was in central California where it is very hot but also very dry. I had success there with parsley, oregano, and English lavender (the only herbs I attempted!) but would like to know what herbs y'all think do well here, since it is equally hot but also more humid. I have gardening books and herb books etc. but, since I am new to Texas, thought it better to ask the Texans at Dave's for first-hand experience! Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Best herbs for Texas?
I have a lot.. 2 kinds of thyme . 2 kinds of oregano. several mints, 2 kinds of parsley, 3or 4 kinds of lavender, a bay laurel tree, anise, sage just to name a few.. most will do okay here
Ive heard some people say that they have issues with lavender but so far for me Ive only lost a white one and it was my own fault cause it didnt get enough sun.. so go ahead and plant what you like Youre farther south than me so some that are considered tender in my area, like my bay laurel tree,should winter well for you..
good luck and have fun!
I grow parsley, two types of basil, oregano, and rosemary. I grow tabascos too, which I like to consider an herb!
I have Cilantro, bronze and green fennel, several mints, oregano, basil, parsley and Herba Stella. I'm growing Greek Mountain Tea this year from seeds, so am hoping it does well!
I suspect your climate is a bit different than some of us so I will agree with Blkraven when she said " go ahead and plant what you like ". That is the only true way you will know what will do well. Where we worry about mulching and cold protection, your issue will be sunscald, wind battering and humidity.
I grow the following:
Basils ~ lemon, cinnamon, lime, Genovese ~ all annuals
Catnip ~ regular and lemon catnip tender perennial
Horehound ~ tender perennial
Mints ~ peppermint, orange, apple, pineapple, mountain mint (native) but all will do well here
Oregano ~ Greek ~ perennial in ground, ornamental and Cuban, both tender
Lemon Balm ~ perennial in ground and will reseed
Lemon grass ~ mulched well in ground it has come back
Bay laurel ~ in a pot but am told they will survive outdoors here
Dill ~ annual
Fennel ~ perennial in ground
Rosemary ~ trailing and upright ~ both perennial in ground
Lemon verbena ~ which I love but haven't managed to overwinter
French tarragon ~ again, this hasn't made it thru the heat/humidity of our summers
Texas Tarragon ~ Tagetes lucida ~ annual for me
Calendula ~ a cooler weather bloomer. It doesn't like summers either
ginger ~ overwinters in ground
licorice ~ Glyccyrhiza Glabra ~ have kept this one potted but it is going in ground and will overwinter as it has done so in a pot this winter
Par~cel, Parsley ~ biennuals but in ground
chives ~ both garlic and regular in ground will reseed
garlics ~ perennial in ground
horseradish ~ overwinters outdoors in a half barrel
Comfrey ~ perennial in ground
Pineapple sage ~ just planted a two year old plant in a sheltered spot in the ground ~ we'll see
Anise hyssop ~ first year (?)
Allspice tree ~ Pimenta dioica tender tropical but the crushed leaves make your mouth water. In other words worth the extra effort. 8 )
Soapwort ~ perennial in ground
Sweet marjoram ~ annual
Herbs are one of my favorite topics ~ can ya tell? lol
I'm sure there are some I grow that I haven't thought of but I would say if you want an herb, give it a try and do report back on your successes and failures. Good luck! pod
Did you say licorice??? how do you use soapwort?
Cilantro does extremely well. I grew mine in mostly shade in the fall. Great for cooking and salsa.
Rosemary--thrives here in partial sun
Basil, sage, oregano, thyme all do great in mostly sun
This message was edited Mar 28, 2010 9:32 AM
Bananna ~ yes on the licorice. It is the 'real' one and a pretty plant. I've not harvested the roots yet but will some day.
I grow the soapwort as an ornamental but the roots and leaves contain saponin which can be lathered to use as a soap, the reason it got its' name.
Other herbal ornamentals I grow are the sages, scullcap, lambs ear, society garlic both regular and variegated and medicinal aloe vera which we use. Amazing how many plants are considered herbal.
Podster----are you the "Medicine Man" for your neighborhood? I've never seen so many herbs. I thought I had a lot, but I only grow about 1/3 of those plus a few others. Wow, I'm impressed.
LOL Nope, not even medicine woman ~ just one of those 'got carried away' passions. Most herbals are fragrant when touched and I love that as well as use in cooking and teas and the unusual and the bizarre.
What herbs do you grow? Always looking to be tempted...
Ive 2 really good books on heral gardening and lore.. Jeanie Roses Herbs and Things has a lot knowledge but it also has some far fetched stuff.. but its got great referece charts receipes and info.. the other is a little drier reading, its the Rodale Herb Book,a how to grow and use herbs book.. many herbalists say these 2 books are a must in your herbal libary.. Both were written in the 70s so you can find copies on amazon for as little as 5.00 ea including the shipping which would be money well spent if your interested in growing and using herbs
Another recommendation ~ Southern Herb Growing. The mother & daughter that wrote it lived in the Conroe or Cleveland, TX area. My favorite book. Rodales is a good reference too. Haven't seen the other one but too many on the bookshelf now anyway.
I think the most important question is, what herbs you would use in cooking or around the house? Growing herbs you really use is double the fun.
Im shocked!!!! you can NEVER have to many books...on anything!!!!...lol..
can you tell Im an avid reader?? I love books.. Ill read just about anything.. its an addiction.... but a good one..
Ill have to look for that one on amazom now...
kenboy
many people dont realize how much herbs can enhance a garden. I grow mine for more reasons than cooking, for looks and herbal receipes too. Herbs just add to the fun of the gardening.. I grow stuff I cant use just cause they are pretty to me...(S)
Wow, Thanks for all the info! Took y'all's advice and today planted my favorites and will see what does well and what doesn't. My next question -- how do scented geraniums do around here? I know there is a forum for them but, again, thought I would ask the folks who deal with similar conditions.
Although I've tried a few, I've had little luck with them. They are supposed to be all right though. Give them a try. Which herbs did you plant today?
When Blkraven said "many people dont realize how much herbs can enhance a garden" that is true in more ways than we realize. Herbs that bloom will attract pollinators to the garden. Some herbs act as a companion plant and aid in repeling bad bugs.
A most interesting topic last year was the Varroa mite that was affecting honeybees could be repeled by plantings of mint under the hives. Something so simple and yet so important.
Blkraven ~ I haven't met too many books I didn't like ~ rather like the herbals. http://davesgarden.com/products/gbw/vcbm/podster/
This message was edited Mar 28, 2010 6:35 PM
Podster.. we have so much more than gardening in common...lol..
Here... why don't you review Jeannie Roses' Herbs & Things. http://davesgarden.com/products/gbw/c/2002/
I thought Society garlic was not for eating. I have tons, so it would be great if it is edible.
Society garlic actually is edible. It provides the flavor while not leaving the garlicky aftertaste. That is why it got the name of 'society' garlic. Use it in place of chives. I like the blooms and they are edible also. The blooms can used to season vinegar, on noodles or baked potatoes.
I have never met a garlic I didn't like.
8 )
Bananna ~ I've had requests for trades on society garlic in the past. If you have too much of it and go to the RUs, you might offer some up for trades.
Thanks for the great suggestions.