If you love to cook, then chances are, you're obsessed about getting the best and freshest ingredients and herbs are no exception. Herbs can make or break any recipe, and what better way to ensure that you get the best quality, why not grow your own? Here are a list of the best herbs to plant.

1) Dill - a popular cooking herb, dill is best paired with fish. The dill leaves (or weed), is the most commonly used part, but the seeds and flowers are also utilized in many other recipes. Dill is easy to grow in a garden or container, with the plant growing about 3 to 5 feet tall. Another added bonus is the fact that dill attracts beneficial insects, such as bees and tachinid flies.

2) Sage - The strong, distinctive flavor of sage often makes it ideal with meats such as lamb and pork. It is more commonly found in stuffing for chicken or other game birds. Long ago, it was used by the Greeks and Romans for its medicinal purposes and even as a cure for snake bites. Sage is difficult to grow from seeds, often taking up to 2 years to mature fully, so cuttings from older plants are best used when beginning to plant your garden. They prefer direct sunlight and well-drained soil. They also thrive in containers, as long as they get plenty of sun.

3) Basil - Basil, of course, is the best with pasta, whether as whole leaves or ground up in pesto. The sweet variety is also used in many traditional Thai recipes. Basil plants need plenty of sunlight - 6 to 8 hours should be adequate - and is very sensitive to frost. When the plants start growing, pinch off the top leaves and flowers to keep the plant bushy and full of leaves.

4) Parsley - Parsley is actually the most popular herb in the world, and not just because of its aesthetic value as a garnish. Originating in the Mediterranean, it is used in many French, Arabic, Greek recipes. Aside from sunlight, it's best to feed it with plenty of organic matter such as manure or compost.

5) Oregano - Oregano is actually wild marjoram, and has many varieties such as Mexican, Spanish and Greek. It is widely used in Italian cooking, as it goes great with tomato based sauces, whether in pasta or pizza. It is easy to grow and, like other mediterranean herbs, require lots of sunlight and well-drained soil.

Labels: Gardening