THE HERB GARDEN

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 92, 20 April 1933, Page 18

THE HERB GARDEN

ALSO SHALLOTS AND CHIVES

No vegetable garden is complete without its plot of herbs, as they are indispensable for culinary purposes. As few plants of each are required, only a small piece of ground need be prepared, and this may be in an out-of-the-way corner, but for convenience should be as near the kitchen as possible. With the exception of mint, which thrives best in a damp and shady position, a good sunny spot should be selected, for plenty of sunlight is required to develop the essential oils in each variety. The soil should be loose and friable but not too rich; it is a great mistake to dig in large quantities of manure, for although this may cause large bushes to form they lack in flavour and are apt at times to suddenly die back. Good drainage is, however, necessary, excepting again for mint, which thrives best on damp and sodden soils. ' While the perennial varieties of herbs will last over several seasons, making large bushes, it will be found more satisfactory to root them out and divide at least every second year; overgrown old plants are liable to die when most wanted. All the perennials can be raised from seed, but they rarely make much growth the first season, while cuttings, layers, or divided plants can be relied upon: to grow quickly at once. Cuttings made from laterals with a heel attached put in at any time now soon root if kept moist. The cuttingsshould be made firm at the base. Most varieties if lilted now and pulled apart will give large well-rooted pieces which will make good plants at once and be ready for use in a very short time. Thyme, sage, and marjoram are best propagated in this manner. Parsley is a biennial, and to keep a regular supply seed should be sown each year. The seedlings make fair growth the first year, but tho larger leaves used for garnishing are not made until the second season, just prior to the plant going to seed: Once, seed heads develop the. plant is useless, all the flavouring oils going to form the seed. Paisley secdings can bo transplanted, but they should be moved when quite small. Once they have attained any considerable size and formed large roots they rarely transplant successfully. The best results are obtained by sowing tho seed where they are to grow and thinning out as required; Seed may be sown now. Mint goes dormant in the winter, but rooted pieces can be planted now to establish the plants. The best position is near a tap where dripping water abyays keeps the soil moist in summer..! Once established, mint may soon become a pest as it suckers and spreads, sometimes even bursting up asphalt or concrete paths. ' As a safeguard it is a good plan to sink an old tub, with the bottom knocked out, into the ground and plant in that, thus confining the roots. .. ;. I Adjacent to tho herb garden another small plot should- be prepared to grow I a few shallots, chives, and garlic, the tops only to bo used for flavouring. Chives are particularly useful, being of a very mild flavour and practically odourless. Given plenty of water they remain green tho whole year round, and may be curt at any time. They may remain undisturbed for several years, but when the clumps become too big they may be lifted and replanted at almost any season of the year.