Herbs
Basil
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Plant 2 weeks after the last frost
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Grows up to 1-2 feet tall
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Harvestable at 6-8 inches tall
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Ready 3-4 weeks after planting
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Pinch leaves when harvesting to avoid damaging the stalk
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Planting Instructions: Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and 6-12 inches apart, ensure soil stays moist
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Cooking Instructions: Can be eaten raw or cooked, has a flavor like citrus and spice, used to add taste to a variety of dishes including pizza, pasta, pesto, soups, sauces, and salads
Chamomile (German)
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Grows up to 2 ft tall and spreads wide
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Will grow back annually
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Plant in spring or early summer once ground is warm
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Take 6-10 weeks to bloom
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Planting Instructions: Sow seeds 2 inches apart and 1/4-1/2 inch deep, thin the plants once sprouted to 6-8 inches apart
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Uses: Attract beneficial pollinators to the garden, flowers and leaves can be transformed into tea/capsules/essential oils that induce calmness
Cilantro
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Grows up to a 1 1/2 feet tall
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Stems long and tender
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Best harvested/kept trimmed around 6-8 inches
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Seeds best harvested 2-3 weeks after the cilantro flowers
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Plant in spring after last frost or in the fall (plants do well in cool weather)
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One month to mature
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Planting Instructions: Plant cilantro seeds 1/4 inch deep and 6 to 8 inches apart. Needs full sun and well-draining soil.
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Cooking: Can be eaten raw or cooked, has a flavor similar to parsley with more citrus, use as a garnish or an ingredient in sauces/dips like guacamole and chimichurri, seeds can be ground and used as a citrusy/nutty spice
Dill
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Plant grows 2-3 ft tall
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Harvest ready once plant has at least 4-5 leaves
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Plant in spring after last frost
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Harvest ready in 4-8 weeks
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Planting Instructions: Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart, needs full sun and well-drained soil
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Cooking Instructions: Leaves have a grassy anise taste, used to flavor seafood, chicken, vegetables such as potatoes, in sauces like tartar sauce, with eggs, seeds can be dried and used whole or crushed similar to the leaves
Fennel
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Plant can grow up to 6 ft tall
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Harvest ready when bulb is 2 inches wide
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Plant in spring after last frost
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Harvest ready in 90 days
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Planting Instructions: Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart, needs full sun and well-drained soil
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Cooking Instructions: Flavor of anise most pronounced when raw, cooked for a mellower flavor, can be braised, roasted, grilled, used in soups, flavor pairs well with seafood such as salmon
Lemon balm
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Plant grows 2-3 ft tall
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Harvest leaves before flowering occurs for a more potent flavor
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Plant in spring after last frost and soil is warm
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Harvest ready in 70 days
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Planting Instructions: Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart, needs full sun and well-drained soil
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Cooking Instructions: Flavor is similar to lemon with hints of mint, can be used to season meat and vegetables, to make pesto, in jams, tea, butter, vinegar, and more
Marjoram
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Plant grows 1-3 ft tall
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Harvest ready just before flowers open, the leaves have a bitter taste after they open
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Plant in spring after last frost
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Harvest ready in 60 days
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Planting Instructions: Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and 12 inches apart, needs full sun and moist soil
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Cooking Instructions: Has a taste similar to thyme but stronger, commonly used fresh or dried as seasoning for meat marinades, in sauces, stuffing, and more