Episode 119: Culinary Herbs 101

An herb is defined as a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities. Many can be used fresh from the garden during the growing season or dried for use during cooler months. Popular herbs include basil, oregano, rosemary, parsley, dill, sage, thyme, mint, chives and cilantro. But there are so many others.

Briana Davis, co-owner of Greene Bee Greenhouse ltd. located in Cornwallville, NY, joins podcast hosts, Jean Thomas and Teresa Golden, in a lively discussion that covers the basics on how to grow culinary herbs. That’s why we call this a ‘101’ episode.

Briana is an avid gardener, horticulturalist, plant collector, and responsible land steward. She describes how some herbs are best grown from seed while others, that take longer to establish, are best grown from a plant. While kitchen herb gardens are very popular, many herbs can be planted among vegetables or flowers to add color, texture or scent.

Herbs are very versatile and come in many cultivars. Briana describes how she uses ones that she grows in her own garden and sells in her greenhouse. She also discusses various ways to preserve them so that they can be used beyond the growing season.

This will make your mouth water and taste buds explode! Enjoy this new episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley .

Hosts: Jean Thomas and Teresa Golden

Guest: Briana Davis

Photo by: Jean Thomas

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, and Robin Smith

Resources

• Greene Bee Greenhouse
• Growing, Harvesting, and Preserving Herbs | Penn State Extension
• Preserving herbs by freezing or drying | UMN Extension
• Gardening with Herbs | CCE Schoharie-Ostego
• Healthy Cooking With Fresh Herbs | CCE Schoharie-Otsego
• Use and Culture of Culinary Herbs | CCE Schoharie-Otsego
• Master Gardener Volunteer ‘hotline’ email: columbiagreenemgv@cornell.edu

Last updated May 2, 2024