Give Herbs a Try!
Written by: Charlotte Glen, Horticulture Agent
Easy Herbs for Pender Gardens
Many culinary herbs are easy to grow in southeastern North Carolina. Flavorful herbs that thrive in our area include perennials like oregano, chives, and sage and annuals such as basil and parsley. If you have never tried to grow herbs or are looking to expand your herb garden, now is a great time to plant and you will find many varieties available at local garden centers and farmer’s markets, as well as at the annual Herb and Garden Fair at Poplar Grove Plantation, March 28 & 29, where Pender County Master Gardeners will be on hand both days to answer your gardening questions. To get started, all you need to know to grow herbs is when and where to plant them.
Perennial Herbs
Perennial herbs return each year from the same roots and so only need to be planted once to provide years of harvest. Most perennial herbs grow best in full sun and well-drained soil, with a pH around 6.5 to 7.0. The easiest way to provide these conditions is to build a raised bed in a sunny spot and fill it with sandy soil. A soil test can tell you what your soil’s pH is and if you need to add lime. Soil tests are provided free to North Carolina residents through the NC Department of Agriculture. Boxes and forms can be picked up at any Cooperative Extension office, and when completed, can be returned there to be shipped free to Raleigh for analysis. Results will be mailed directly to your home address. It is currently taking around two weeks to receive soil test results.
Perennial herbs that thrive in sandy soils include oregano, common thyme, lemon thyme, rosemary, and sage (look for the variety ‘Berggarten’, which does well in the south). True bay (Laurus nobilis), which grows as a shrub, also does well here when give a little extra protection from winter winds. Chives and fennel are two more perennial herb that thrive in sandy soils and both are very easy to grow from seed. Oils are what give these culinary herbs their flavor, and these develop most intensely under dry, poor conditions. To produce plants with full-bodied flavors, it is best not to water or fertilize these culinary herbs too much, though they will need to be watered for the first several weeks while they establish new roots.
Mint is a perennial herb that should be planted with caution. All types of mint spread rapidly and are best grown in large containers sitting above ground level. In the garden, mint prefers moister conditions than most perennial herbs and will tolerate part shade. Mint marigold, on the other hand, is not a true mint but a perennial marigold (Tagetes lucida) that is often grown as a tarragon substitute. True tarragon does not tolerate our hot, humid summers, while mint marigold thrives here and its leaves provide an anise flavor to salads and cooked dishes. In addition, mint marigold produces dozens of golden yellow flowers in fall and prefers sun and well drained soil.
Annual Herbs
Annual herbs are almost as easy to grow as their perennial counterparts, just requiring the extra effort of starting new plants each season. Basil is by far the most popular summer annual herb. It is a real heat lover, so don’t try and plant it out too early – wait until May before putting this one in the ground. A couple of other annual herbs that like hot weather are perilla, often used in Japanese dishes, and Cuban oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus). Most annual herbs prefer cool temperatures and should be planted in fall (September and October) to grow through winter and harvest in spring, or early spring (February and March) to harvest in late spring. These include dill, parsley and cilantro, also known as coriander. If you are feeling adventurous, you may want to try lemon grass or culinary ginger (Zingiber officinale). While technically perennials, neither of these plants are winter hardy in our area, but they can be planted in spring for harvest in summer and fall.
Learn More
There are many more herbal plants that can be grown in southeastern North Carolina. A great opportunity to learn about and purchase herbs is coming up March 28 and 29 at the Herb and Garden Fair at Poplar Grove Plantation, on Hwy 117 between Hampstead and Wilmington. Master Gardeners will be on hand both days to answer questions and provide gardening advice.