Herbs are hot this season, thanks to the White House vegetable garden
Boxwood basil photo courtesy of Burpee
America’s home gardeners have fallen in love with herbs, according to a new garden survey, and the first lady's White House vegetable garden may be part of the reason.
Each year since the Obamas moved into the White House, Michelle Obama has expanded the vegetable garden, and this year it includes a selection of herbs and companion flowers that line the winding paths between the raised vegetable beds.
“Interest in herbs has been growing steadily the last few years,” says Burpee chairman and CEO George Ball. “But this year herbs are all the rage. Herb orders really took off right after the late March news reports about the 2011 White House garden.”
Using sales data and surveys, Burpee reports that herb gardens represent the top garden trend for the 2011 season, followed closely by raised bed gardens and container vegetable gardens.
Herbs are rewarding, summer long pleasers, according to Chelsey Fields, manager for Burpee’s edible division. “Most herbs are exceptionally easy to grow, and fun because they inspire and transform your cooking.”
Fields also said that herbs are great starter plants for children who are novice gardeners. Kids who garden alongside their parents are likely to be healthier eaters.
Burpee recommended anise hyssop, with tall, spiky purple flowers, planted en masse; "Boxwood" basil for borders and a purple-leaf basil, "Round Midnight" for color.
Comments
As much as I admire the First Lady's efforts in and out of the garden, I think herbs have been more and more popular for other reasons. Think about all those cooking shows, for example. I just came back from the annual Herb Festival in Leakin Park, and it seemed as if all Baltimore was there.
Posted by: Dahlink | May 28, 2011 2:38 PM