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Container Gardening Essentials – Discover Nature’s 7 Most Nutritious and Power Packed Herbs
By Eric Samms

Scientists and nutritionists insist that we pack in as many raw and organic fruits and vegetables for maximum health and vitality. But the humble herb’s inner vigor is often overlooked. But not anymore, through the charms of organic container gardening, it’s time to not only add a melody of tastes, but a great source of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

The Finalists Are:

1. Mints : There are a variety of mint leaves, the most common being spearmint, peppermint, apple mint, and ginger mint. Use mints in salads, dressings, in teas, with lamb, in summer drinks and sorbets, and also as a garnish.

It has been used for centuries in Asian cuisine and herbal treatments. It was considered so usefull that it was an accepted as a tax payment. Jesus even scolds the Pharisees in Luke (11:39) “you pay tithes of mint and rue…but have no care for justice and the love of God.” Not only does it taste great, but it freshens the breath, helps settle the stomach and aids digestion, and has been found to slow the growth of some fungi and bacteria.

2. Basil : A clean and distinctive flavor, it especially works great with fresh tomato and cooked tomato based dishes, such as those from Italy. It can be added to soups, salads, breads, and pasta and forms the key ingredient in pesto.

Research studies on basil have shown unique health-protecting effects in two basic areas: basil’s flavonoids and volatile oils. Flavonoids are chemicals components – and Basil’s have been found to protect cells from radiation and oxygen damage. It’s oil has been found to have antibacterial properties, and it is a rich source of Vitamin A which helps prevent free-radical cell damage.

3. Parsley : A light and refreshing herb, with 2 main varieties curly and flat leaf. It is very versatile, and is wonderful added to just about any dish – soups, salads, breads.

It is also no modest herb – bursting in Vitamin C, an important component to disease prevention and great skin. Plus it is also a rich source of other nutrients such as Vitamin’s K and A, and Folic Acid, an important factor in good cardiovascular health.

4. Chives : They are delicate in flavor, and as such more suited to light dishes and salads, or as wonderful garnishes or decoration. If you have more than you need just store them in the freezer, and use as required.

Chives are from the allium family , and All alliums contain iron, and vitamins. Low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, and Sodium , and High in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, Thiamin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus and Zinc.

5. Thyme : This herb is one of my favorites. It has a warming and satisfying flavor, and works great with chicken, sprinkled on vegetables, and in light salads.

Derived from a Greek word meaning courage, thyme is said to be an invigorating herb, and is also renowned for it’s antiseptic and anti-fungal properties, and anti-spasmodic qualities – useful to soothe digestion and menstrual cramps and is an excellent source of iron and manganese, calcium and a food source of dietary fiber.

6. Dill : A light a refreshing herb which works wonderfully with salmon, in salads, and dressings.

Dill’s name comes from the old Norse word “dilla” which means “to lull” reflecting it’s traditional uses as both a stomach soother and an insomnia reliever. The total volatile oil portion of dill has been shown to have bacteria-regulating effects, much like garlic, and is good source of calcium.

7. Sage : A strong and meaty herb, it partners well with some chicken dishes, as well as onions and potatoes, and form many herbal teas.

Similar to rosemary and thyme, sage helps reduce depletion of the brain’s concentration of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is crucial to proper brain function. A combination of ginkgo biloba, sage, and rosemary may help prevent or slow the development of Alzheimer’s. More research is needed to find out why sage is so effective but researchers think it could be a combination of chemicals in the oil which have an effect on acetylecholine and which give it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, also considered to be of value in Alzheimer’s therapy.

It helps promote digestion health, its antiseptic action is especially important in relation to intestinal infection and is said to reduce gripping pains by relaxing the intestines.
It is an excellent remedy for helping to remove mucous congestion in and numerous studies have confirmed that Sage leaf helps to reduce menopausal sweats, and helps reduce pain associated with menstruation.

Who ever would have thought that herbs could be such nutritious powerhouses? So before you reach for the salt, think ‘Fresh Nutritious Herbs’, and add these to your breads, pasta dishes, salads, soups, meat dishes, hot teas, and anything else you’d like to try! Organic container gardening is the tool to growing your personal, pesticide free herbs, plus it’s fun, fulfilling, a great way to save money, and it keeps you and the family bursting with health and vitality.

I’m Eric Samms and I’m here to share my passion for Container Gardening with you all. After years of starting, maintaining and developing my own Container Gardens for the last 11 years – it’s time to give away my secrets. Now it’s your turn to learn all about Container Gardening and it’s many amazing benefits in your life! Visit http://www.containergardeningexpert.com today for more great container gardening tips plus your two free gifts!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Samms
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Container Vegetable Gardening
By John Yazo

Container Vegetable Gardening is an ideal solution when you don’t have a yard to plant a garden and is also a way of gardening to add versatility to your yard.

Container gardening can be done to add accent or dimension to the landscape with the planting of vegetables or flowers. You can create the same effects with vegetables as you would with the planting of flowers. Just arrange the pots or containers that you plant with vegetables as you would if you were planting flowers. There are large varieties of colors and sizes of vegetable plants as there is in flowering plants.

Planters that can be used for container planting are endless. If it is strong enough to hold soil mix and plants you want to grow it can be used. Just make sure there are holes in the base of the container or pot for water to drain from.The most common types of planters that are used are your standard indoor plant pots.They are usually made of clay, ceramic, plastic or wood and are purchased at your local garden center or department store.

Soil mix for container planting should be a light weight mix. Soilless potting mix is the best for container planting because of it’s ability to aerate well and retain moisture. Soilless potting mix is usually a blend of peat, perlite and or vermiculite.

The planting of plants or seeds in containers is done the same way as would be done in a garden. Just follow the instruction that come with the plants or on the seed packet. The location that the containers are placed is also important. Read the instruction for location needed for what you are planting. Some plants need full sun, partial sun or even shade.

Watering of plants in containers needs to be checked on a daily bases. Containers don’t hold the volume of moisture as would be retained in garden soil with a good soil structure. Usually containers need to be watered daily if not every other day. Temperature and rainfall amounts are the two main factors in when watering and how much is needed. Keep the soil in the containers moist at all times.

Nutrients in the soil also need to be monitored regularly. Due to the frequent watering of container planting the nutrients can be easily washed from the soil. A slow release organic fertilizer will add the nutrients needed back in the soil.

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.

John Yazo

http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Yazo
http://EzineArticles.com/?Container-Vegetable-Gardening&id=1668037