Herbs provide quick, versatile, and easy ways to flavor food. From a little oregano and basil in an Italian dish, to dill and thyme in oven-baked salmon, the possibilities are endless. Humans have used herbs as far back as 60,000 years ago—long before written records. Archeological discoveries from various burial sites show a history of the knowledge and use of herbs medicinally and otherwise. There are cave paintings in France dating back at least 13,000 years that depict various herbs; and by the time of the Greeks, around 700 B.C., the herb industry was thriving.
There are many advantages to growing your own herbs. Some have quick growth cycles: Basil can begin to germinate after just four days and can be harvested when it is 6 to 8 inches tall; cilantro germinates in seven to ten days and can be harvested after three to four weeks. Various herbs can be used for more than just cooking: Dried herbs put in cloth satchels around your home can keep mosquitos and flies away; dried lavender placed in closets can repel moths. Herbs have been used medicinally for millennia as well, from steeping certain herbs to make tea for a tummy ache or headache, to burning bay leaves for anxiety reduction.
