When planning your garden, consider putting in some herbs--or even an entire herb garden. For the home chef, dried herbs are no match for those freshly picked. Even herbs purchased fresh at the grocery store or farmers market have lost some of their essences by the time they're sold. And the most popular and easiest herbs to grow in home gardens are Mediterranean herbs. Their leaves flavor everything from meats, soups, and stews to pizza, spaghetti and even some desserts.

Mediterranean herbs also add beauty to home gardens and are some of the most rewarding plants you can grow. Most herbs are perennials, with the exception of basil and parsley, which should be planted new each year. They prefer to be planted in full sun and watered regularly with the rest of the garden, but most tolerate drought and less-than-perfect soil.

Mediterranean herbs add some of the best flavorings for many foods and drinks, imparting a complex array of tastes that can't be matched by most other kitchen seasonings. The fragrance of fresh picked herbs stimulates the senses with their complex oils that can dissipate once they dry out.

There really isn't any rule of thumb about what constitutes a Mediterranean herb garden--it's all a matter of taste. Below is a list of old standbys that no kitchen garden should be without. We carry a great selection of herbs throughout the growing season. So drop by and see us when you are ready to start planting your Mediterranean herb garden!

Basil (sweet, Greek, purple)
Leaves taste somewhat like anise with a strong, fragrant, sweet smell. Bushy plant grows 18-24" tall (depending on variety).

Chives
Round, hollow, grass-like leaves with a distinct onion-type flavor. Often used as a garnish. Clumping plant that grows 8-10" tall.

Lavender (English)
Aromatic leaves add a subtle floral flavor to honey, marinades, and desserts. Mounding plant to 2 feet tall and wide.

Marjoram (Sweet)
Tiny gray leaves have a floral scent and milder flavor than Greek oregano. Plant grows 12-24" tall.

Oregano (Greek
Leaves have a spicy flavor that's strongest if harvested when plant is in bud before flowering. Plant grows 18-36" tall.

Parsley (Curly)
The most common parsley, used most often as a garnish. The bushy plant grows about 12" tall.

Parsley (Flat-leafed)
Fresh sprigs and minced leaves are a classic garnish but have superior flavor when cooked. The bush plant grows 12-18" tall.

Rosemary
Short, narrow leaves add an intense peppery flavor to grilled meat, especially lamb. Upright or spreading plants 1-6' tall (depending on variety)

Sage (Garden)
Aromatic leaves are used to flavor stews and stuffing. Some varieties have variegated foliage. Shrubby plant grows 12-36" tall.

Tarragon (French)
Thin, aromatic leaves are a classic flavoring for chicken and egg dishes. The plant grows 18-24" tall.

Thyme (Lemon)
Leaves have a lemon fragrance to brighten flavor of dishes and vinegars. Spreading plant to 6-12" tall.