Herb Gardens in Ohio

Many herbs will grow well in Ohio.

More than 90 varieties of herbs grow well in Ohio's rich soil, according to "Herb Gardening in the Midwest" authors Debra Knapke and Laura Peters. Herbs are easy to grow for beginning gardeners and will yield a wealth of fresh ingredients for the home cook.

Types

Knapke suggests growing rosemary, lavender, sage, bay, scented geranium, mint, bay, garlic, oregano and basil. Perennial herbs that will survive a harsh Ohio winter include chives, Greek oregano and thyme. Just three or four plants of each type will provide enough herbs for the average family.

Care

Herbs do not need fertilizer. They should be planted in the ground or in containers in a sunny location. The more you snip an herb, the more it will grow. For the best flavor, harvest herbs in the morning, just after the dew has evaporated, according to Ohio State University.

Ohio's Herb Cities

The Herb Society of America's headquarters are located in Kirtland, Ohio. The town of Gahanna has been officially known as the "Herb Capital of Ohio" since 1972. The city hosts an herb festival every year in May and has dedicated an entire park to growing herbs.

References

• Our Ohio: Herbs - 10 Favorites for Ohio
• Ohio History Central: Herb Capital of Ohio
• The Ohio State University Extension: Selecting, Storing and Using Fresh Herbs
• Our Ohio: Perennial Vegetables and Herbs
• The Ohio State University Extension: Growing Herbs

Resources

• The Ohio State University Extension: Herbs
• "Herb Gardening for the Midwest"; Debra Knapke and Laura Peters; 2008