making a new herb garden

I have lemon mint, orange mint, and oregano.....I want to add more to it....I dont really use herbs much, but would like to start.......I dont really know how to explain the garden....but here is a picture of it.....I definately want cilantro in there..........like was there at this time....but, I want to ask what is the best time to plant it so it is ready for salsa canning? My other question is how do you keep it from getting out of control? I originally planted on the edge of the upper bed, but it is now spreading like wildfire to the lower bed and back farther into the upper bed..........any help will be fantastic......thanks

i have been doing research to help others. long time ago, i read what would make a nice theme for an herb garden would be by country or region.

for example: i think theme gardens are really neat.
1. Mexico and latin countries - cilantro, oregano, kulantro, thyme and small peppers
2. Italy - Italian Parsley, basil, Italian Oregano and Sage
3. French - French Tarragon, Sorrel, Lavender, lemon thyme and shallots
4. Tea garden - would be most of ur mints.
5. Asian - Lemon grass, Chomomile and Thai basils

may i suggest, u clip the herbs and dry them so they do not go way out of hand.

u should try using herb in ur cooking,u will be surprise what u have been missing all along. food taste much better with herbs in my book, but we are all different and have our choices. btw, herb is also good in salad and drinks. jmho.

I contain most of my mints by planting them in containers then sinking them in the bed most mints are very invasive but I really like them especially for tea. I will plant my cilantro seeds here this week its easy to grow and not invasive but is an annual here so have to plant it every spring. I also put in several scented geraniums but once you grow these they can be addictive:-) Panache (hope I spelled it right) is a favorite of mine for scented potpouri's but do have a time with it through the winter in the house the spider mites seem to like it.
KIm

thank you both.....I love tea, so I will probably love mint in teas......do you just drop it in and let it flavor or do you dry it and add it to your tea to steep? I love ginger tea, and maybe some lemon mint will be fabulous.......how do you dry them? just lay them out? or do you hang them? thank you again.....abbie

Abbie, stevia is not overly easy to grow, but if you like your tea sweetened, it's a miracle! NO calories, but good herb nutrients, and sweeter than sugar. I ordered a live plant that is coming along beautifully, and the seeds... well, the seedlings are pretty iffy. I'm coaxing them along, but I'm apparently not the one who decides what succeeds in the garden! It's a pretty plant, as well.

A rosemary plant would make a nice contrasting shrub, too.

For tea I dry the leaves and keep them in an air lock container then use a mini strainer and pour hot water through it or I also have a small metal ball on a chain that the herbs go inside and use it like a tea bag. Mint leaves are also good in cold tea's in the summer.
Kim

Hi,
I guess if you've planted cilantro before, you won't have a problem, but I had to laugh about the "not invasive" line. It's been trying to take over my entire garden for years so I never plant it anymore, just pull up what's in my way when it's still small. The savory also comes up everywhere and to think I was worried about the oregano!

thanks for your interest.....and information....I wonder about letting the herbs flower, does it make them bitter? or any other problems? If I leave the cilantro and let it flower, can I make corriander with the seeds? Are there any special instructions for that? I thank you all sincerely, abbie

Mccool your cilantro is invasive? I wish mine would reseed but have to plant it every year even tried mulching I haven't even had luck with overwintering. Maybe I'm doing something wrong or there's more then one type of cilantro. I like to use it fresh for salsa's and top any mexican dish with it. I've used it on salads too. I've let some things flower then used the leaves but not sure there are some I think that can get bitter or young leaves are better I think in many herbs. I can't tell you about the seeds I've never used them other then to replant the next year.
Kim

Cilantro seeds ARE coriander. Just let the seeds mature somewhat on the plant, then cut the plants and hang to dry in a darkish, well-ventilated space. Once they're dry, just harvest the seeds. If you want some in the meantime, just let me know. I have tons of it. I've still got a few jars of coriander that I harvested a couple of years ago and there's a sheaf of last year's plants sitting in the shed, waiting for me to get around to stripping the seeds.

McCool
I just cut off my cilantro and laid it on a cookie sheet to dry. Will this work or do I need to hang it up?
Thanks!
SE

Sue,
I've never tried the cookie sheet myself, so I can't say whether or not it would work. I just like to hang my bunches of herbs so that the air can get at them from all sides. Sometimes finding a place to hang them can be a challenge though! I hung some bunches from the sides of a wire shelving unit once ---- unfortunately awfully close to the printer for the computer. According to my other half, that was pretty close to grounds for divorce.