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July 21, 2026

Why I Grow Herbs

Hi Reader!

I was out in the yard checking on my herbs this week and I had two thoughts: 1) What is the correct to say 'herb', and 2) How many folks interchange the words 'herb' and 'spice' like I do?

Herbs. Let's talk about it.

In this edition:

• Herbs vs Spices
• Herb Pronunciation
• Herbs I Grow and Why
• How I Preserve Herbs

I'm not one who likes to cook. If I'm in the kitchen it's because I'm meal prepping to avoid daily visits to the stove. I do know that food taste a whole lot better simply by adding herbs and spices. The herb/spice industry is huge!

The global spices and seasonings market size was valued at USD 21.14 billion in 2025. That's massive!

🌿 What's the difference between HERBS and SPICES? 🌿

Herbs are the leafy green parts of a plant (i.e. basil, oregano, parsley), while spices are derived from roots, stems, seeds, fruits, flowers, or bark of plants (i.e. cinnamon (bark), ginger (root), black pepper (fruit).

Peoples use herbs and spices differently to represent their culture or country. You can probably close your eyes and mentally taste specific spices based on a culture.

For example, Indian (cumin, coriander, turmeric), China (star anise, peppercorns, ginger), and Italy (basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary). Or, what about Cajun food, Caribbean food, Mexican food ... the herbs and spices give it away.

🌿How is HERB Pronounced? 🌿

I remember the first time I heard a person pronounce 'herb', and thought to myself, 'They said it wrong. The 'H' is silent.'

Little did I know that I was a clown and completely wrong in my thoughts.

As I got into gardening more and more and I listened to more videos, I started hearing HERB with a hard 'H', then noticed it was mostly in British videos.

Ahhhhhh!!!

I was the knucklehead .... but now I know. 🤪 Check out this :30 video and you'll understand too.

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🌿 Herbs and Spices I Grow, and Why? 🌿

*I know how left things can go so let me say right here that I am NOT A DOCTOR and the following words are for entertainment purposes only! *

I like to try different types of herbs and spices, but I grow only a few each season.

Basil: Organic Basil has gotten crazy expensive for it to be so easily grown. I use it on everything so I needed a way to get it that wouldn't break the bank.

Also, this year I planted 15 or more little basil plants around my yard, especially around my tomato plants because they help deter hornworms.

I planted a bunch of basil seeds in a container then I separated them once they grew and planted all over the garden.

Lemon Basil: Has a very lemony fragrance and I grew it only because it was new and different to me. Had to try it.

Oregano: Once I learned that oregano was nature's antibiotic, well duh, why not grow it?! You can make your own oregano oil, or just use it in your recipes.

Lemon Balm: I hesitated to buy it because I don't think I need it as a remedy for anything, but I decided to grow, harvest and dry it. It is expensive to buy.

🌿How I Dry Herbs🌿

Herbs can be dried in a number of ways... dehydrators, hanging in a cool dark space, air-drying on an enclosed mesh outside, or like I do, in a paper bag.

I have a dehydrator, but I don't like drying leafy herbs on it. It seems the flavor is diminished from the dehydrator.

So, what do I do?

I collect my herbs. rinse them then place on a large kitchen/flour towel overnight to dry out some, not completely.... just want the excess water off.

Then I place them into a brown paper lunch bag with multiple little holes snipped in it.

I fold the top over once, then once per day or so I shake the bag. Once dry I put them in a Mason jar. Easy.

I processed enough basil last year to last until this year!

Try it. 😊🌿

🌿Gardening Thoughts🌿

You know how I like to preach the benefits of gardening, and you might be sick of me! lol lol... but before you toss me out, check out this info. Interesting!

Feel free to write me at jangardener@gardenease.org if you have any questions or comments.

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I'll see you in the next edition!

Peace and Love,

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If you have questions, comments, praises, complaints, or ideas about gardening or about the newsletter, you can reach me at: jangardener@gardenease.org