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Most herbs actually benefit from being regularly cut, so if you are growing culinary herbs in your garden, don't be afraid to use them. Adopting the 'cut and come again' approach not only benefits the plants, it also delays them setting seed and will mean that you have access to deliciously fresh herbs to enhance the dishes you cook. The trick is to pick little and often. This will encourage the plants to put out more foliage rather than flower and then go to seed. Here is a short guide on the best ways to harvest some of the most popular culinary herbs.

Parsley is a great herb to use in fish dishes. When cutting parsley make sure you cut the whole leaf, together with the leaf stalk, cutting it back to where it joins the main plant. Cut only the young tender leaves, as older ones tend to become a little tough. Chives grow in abundance during spring and summer and are tasty snipped finely onto salads. When you are ready to use them, cut right down to the base of the plant. It may be best to grow your chives in pots and have several going at the same time. This will give those you cut down the chance to grow up again for a second cutting.

Basil is a herb much associated with the summer months. So versatile in the kitchen, this most fragrant of herbs can be used in sauces, dips or just sprinkled fresh on salads and pasta dishes. Many varieties of basil are fairly tender and so to guarantee a good crop it might be best to grow it in a greenhouse or in a very sheltered spot in the garden. When harvesting basil, nip out the tips of the plants with your fingers to just above a new pair of leaves. The plant will put out new growth from this point. If you cut back to under a pair of leaves, leaving a short bare stalk, this will simply wither and die off. Rosemary has long been associated with lamb dishes and has a strong pungent flavour. It does tend to get woody with age, so regular harvesting will help to prevent this. Trim shoots of about 10cm in length but avoid cutting back into the woody stems. Rosemary can either be used fresh or hung up to dry in bunches ready for use during the winter months.

If you aren't lucky enough to have the room to create your own herb garden, why not grow a few herbs in garden planters. Choose those herbs you use most in your cooking and place the containers in a sunny spot near to your kitchen door. You will enjoy the luxury of having fresh herbs at your finger tips most of the year round.

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Herbs like all plants have a common English name and an official, valid, Latin name. For example the herb we call sweet basil in English is Ocimum basilium in Latin. Just how was this Latin name determined and why is it used?

It all began in the 18th Century with the work of a Swedish physician and botanist named Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) who ushered in a new era of taxonomy. What is taxonomy? Taxonomy is the process used to define groups of biological organisms on the basis of shared characteristics. Based on these characteristics Latin names are assigned to groups of these organisms. Until Linnaeus appeared there was chaos and confusion in this naming process for both plants and animals.

Linnaeus with his major works Systema Naturae (First Edition, 1735), Species Plantarum (1753) and Systema Naturae (Tenth Edition, Two Volumes, 1758 and 1759) revolutionized modern taxonomy. His scientific works began a standardized binomial naming system for both plant and animal species. His system proved to be an elegant solution to the chaotic way that plant and animal species had been named. And so the Linnaean system was born.

This system is still used today in much the same way as it was used in the eighteenth century. Presently, plant and animal taxonomists see Linnaeus' work from 1753 and 1758 as the beginning or starting point for valid binomial names. Currently, the system we use gives each plant a name consisting of two Latin words. The first word gives the plant's genus and the second defines its species. This Linnaean system has permitted us to standardize the way plants are identified.

Plants are all classified by their relationships. These relationships are established by shared characteristics, particularly of their reproductive parts. In order to understand these relationships there is a plant classification hierarchy.

At the top of this plant classification hierarchy is the plant kingdom. There are six divisions under the plant kingdom. Under these divisions, there are subdivisions to separate the divisions into classes. Following their separation into classes, they are further subdivided into orders. Next, these plant orders are further divided into even smaller groups to describe their finer differences. First, they are separated into a family. A family groups plants that have related genera. Next, they are classified into a genus. The genus contains plants of related species. Next, these plants are assigned a species. Their species is a group of plants that are alike and naturally breed with each other.

There are further refinements under the species group. A plant may be classified as a hybrid or a cross between two different species. Hybrids can happen in the wild, but more often are the result of accidental or artificial breeding. A hybrid is defined by an "x" appearing before its species name, for example Russian comfrey would be Symphytum x uplandicum.

In addition, variety (var.), subspecies (subsp.), and form (forma, f.) are three more subdivisions within a species or natural hybrid. These three differ in small but clear-cut ways from the typical species type. For example, Symphytum officinale var. ochroleucumis is a white-flowered variant of common comfrey. These natural variants are rare in the wild, but quite common in cultivated plants.

The last is a cultivar. This a desired variant, produced and maintained through cultivation. The plant produced as a cultivar most likely has preferable characteristics such as habitat, color, flavor, resistance to pests, etc. For example, French tarragon, noted for its distinct flavor, is often classified as Artemisa dracunculus 'Sativa' because it was produced as the 'Sativa' cultivar from Russian tarragon, Artemisa dracunculus.

There you have it! Now, you know why herbs and other plants have Latin names, the history of how this happened, and why they are still used today.

Sanford H Kirkland is the owner of SHK Enterprises, LLC the operator of the website http://www.plantyourherbs.com/ Plant Your Herbs. He has been growing, using, and learning about herbs for the past 38 years and is an At-Large Member of the Herb Society of America. Want to learn more about herbs? Then, visit the Plant Your Herbs website, http://www.plantyourherbs.com/ today.

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The benefits of having a windowsill herb garden are numerous. The act of tending to the garden is relaxing and rewarding. The ability to add fresh herbs to one's cooking gives even the simplest dishes a richer, more elegant taste and presentation.

General Tips

Growing an indoor herb garden is easier than one might think. Most of the plants will grow best with strong sunlight, so a southern windowsill is the best choice. An eastern facing window will also work well.

It's inadvisable to over-fertilize these little plants as that will dilute their flavor, which undermines the entire purpose of having the garden. Fertilizers that have a controlled release of nutrients or slowly decompose are the best options for growing the most flavorful herbs.

The wetness of the soil also directly impacts their flavor. Soil that is too wet reduces the intensity of their flavor. However, different varieties require different types of soil, which means there are different watering needs. The amount and frequency of watering also depends on the weather. The hotter and drier the weather, the more they'll need watering.

Regardless of how much watering is good for any specific herb, they all should be in pots with good drainage. They do need enough water to moisten the soil at least six inches down, but it's not good for them to sit in water.

The most flavorful part of the plant is its newest leaves. Therefore, one shouldn't let the plant grow too long without pinching off the top leaves. Even if they're not going to be used in cooking, keeping the tips fresh will ensure that the most succulent part of the herb will be used when one is ready to cook with it.

The other advantage to pinching of the tops of each plant regularly, even if not cooking with them at the time, is that this releases their fragrance into the air. This is just another benefit to having a windowsill garden.

Best Choices for a Windowsill Garden

Here are some popular flavors for cooking that are also easy to grow:

- Rosemary

Rosemary is great with chicken and fish. The best way to start is with a clipping from another rosemary plant in a potting mixture that doesn't contain soil. Once the clipping sprouts roots, then transfer it to a pot with soil.

- Basil

This sweet herb is a great addition to salad dressings and pastas. It's also a great tea for upset stomachs. Start basil from seeds in the soil recommended on the seed package.

- Sage

This Mediterranean herb likes a particularly dry atmosphere with lots of sunshine. It has a sweet, savory flavor that works well with fattier foods like cheeses and pork. It also makes a lovely addition to the windowsill garden because of the purple-grayish sheen of its leaves.

- Thyme

A mild version from the mint family, thyme has a slightly pungent taste. Lemon thyme has a more obvious citrus flavor without being too strong. An indoor thyme plant is best started by planting the soft tip of full grown plant in soil to take root of its own.

- Parsley

Parsley adds good flavor to any dish. It can be started either by planting seeds or potting a clipping from a grown plant. It needs a lot of sun, so will grow more slowly without southern exposure.

Lizzie Simmonds has been growing her own food for over 15 years. For easy fruit & veg growing tips and advice, Lizzie suggests signing up for the Woolly Green Weekly, a great source of gardening chat, products, offers and competitions. Woolly Green is a new website, for people who like to garden as a bit of an antidote to their otherwise busy lives.

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During the 38 plus years of growing, harvesting, using, and learning many facts about herbs, I have had a lot of fun and learned quite a bit as well. One of the questions people ask me repeatedly is, "just what is an herb and how are herbs used?"

Well, a good answer to that question comes from Deni Brown author of The Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses, who states:

"In addition to herbaceous perennials, herbs include trees, shrubs, annuals, vines, and more primitive plants, such as ferns, lichens, and fungi. They are valued for their flavor, fragrance, medicinal and healthful qualities, economic and industrial uses, pesticidal properties, and coloring materials (dyes)."

As you can see the answer to the question many people ask covers a very broad area. The reason for this fact is that herbs are used in a variety of ways.

Let's take a look at these uses. First, it is well-known that they flavor our food. You can't miss this fact when you watch one of the food channels on television. Chefs of different ethnic backgrounds using a variety of herbs to compliment the recipes they demonstrate and present. For example, there was one program where the chef made Greek potatoes. He used potatoes complimented by olive oil and fresh rosemary. I am very happy to see these chefs promoting the use of herbs and showing how to effectively use them. As a personal example, I have used basil, Greek or Italian oregano, and cinnamon in my homemade spaghetti sauce for over thirty years.

Second, herbs are valued for their fragrance. In our home, herbal fragrance permeates the air almost every day of the growing season. We use basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, savory, tarragon and mint frequently. A glass of iced mint tea really hits the spot on a blisteringly hot day. And the fragrance of mint greets everyone who enters our home whenever I make this tea. Also, whenever I bring in freshly harvested basil, its aroma permeates the entire house. It's most refreshing!

Yet, there are other ways to enjoy the fragrance of herbs in your home. One is by using potpourris around the house for a constant, delightful fragrance, Two is by making an herbal wreath that can be hung on a wall or door in your home. Wreathes made of rosemary branches are a tradition in many places at Christmas time. And three is by having some scented geraniums growing in a sunny location in your house. Just pluck a geranium leaf and rub it between your hands to release its wonderful odor. Throughout the centuries, the fragrances of herbs have freshened the air of many homes.

The third use is medicinal. Doctors and herbalists use a variety of herbs to treat many ills, particularly in India, China, and other cultures as well. However, that does not mean that we in the West have neglected the advantage of herbal treatments or cures for our ills as well. One famous example was the use of the thymol extract from the oil of thyme during World War One. Thymol was used by the Allies as a battlefield antiseptic. However, because of a severe shortage of thyme, the Allies relied on the Ajowan plant from India which produced twenty percent more oil of thyme and thymol extract than thyme plants.

Even today, we continue to use herbal products to treat and cure many ills as well as to enhance our health. Have you noticed how many herbal supplements are on the market today? Just visit a nearby supplement store, pharmacy, grocery, or discount center and you'll find many shelves of supplements for treating all kinds of medical conditions or enhancing your health.

Fourth, there are the economic and industrial uses. One of the big industries using herbs is the manufacture and marketing of herbal teas. Herbs are used to flavor some regular teas, but they are also used by themselves in herbal teas. Many of the herbal teas offered by the companies selling them are blends of several different herbs. Yet, there are still some that you can buy, or better yet, make from herbs you grow in your own garden. For example, mint tea and chamomile tea are two that come to mind. These two teas are easy and fun to make from fresh herbs you can grow.

Herbs contribute heavily to industry and the economics of industry in our country. They are used in many products. For example they are ingredients for flavoring in toothpaste, chewing gum, and candy. Also, they are still used for their antiseptic properties in products such as mouthwash and some antiseptics as well.

Fifth, herbs are used in pesticides. It is true that some herbal pesticides are toxic to humans, but nowadays there are organic herbal pesticides, fungicides and weed killers that are certified as non-toxic to humans. In many cases they are certified organic as well. That means they protect the environment because they will break down easily and become harmless. By the way, there is one of these organic pesticides that claims it will kill an insect pest found in many states, the marmorated stink bug.

Sixth and last are the dyes that are made from herbs. These are natural dyes and many people prefer them over the more prevalent synthetic dyes used predominantly today. These dyes come from a variety of herbs, trees, flowers and vegetables. It's really interesting to see what colors come from different plant parts -- roots stems, bark, leaves and flowers.

As a matter of fact, synthetic dyes are pure colors whereas herbal dyes are often a complicated blend of colors. Just as with all dyes, herbal dyes in dyed materials will fade over a period of time, but not as dramatically as synthetic dyes. Herbal dyes will retain much of their color in lighter hues as they fade. On the other hand, synthetic dyes fade dramatically. A good example of this is when an American flag fades and the red stripe become a light pink.

Some manufacturers use herbs to dye their textiles and woolen materials because the herbs for dying are readily available whereas the synthetic dyes are not. Other product makers use herbal dyes to naturally stain finished wood products. Black walnut shells make a wonderful natural wood stain. And still others use herbal dyes in hair products. Probably the most famous of the hair dyes is the one for red hair that is made from a plant called henna.

In conclusion, the question, "just what is an herb and how are herbs used?" has been answered in this article. The definition of an herb was given and the many uses of herbs explored.

Sanford H Kirkland is the owner of SHK Enterprises, LLC the operator of the website http://www.plantyourherbs.com/ Plant Your Herbs. He has been growing, using, and learning about herbs for the past 38 years and is an At-Large Member of the Herb Society of America. Want to learn more about herbs? Then, visit the Plant Your Herbs website, http://www.plantyourherbs.com/ today.

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