Growing them is fun and using them is fun. His herb garden is strategically located just outside his back door making it convenient to snip some fresh herbs for cooking use. Fresh herbs have intense flavors so when you're cooking with them, add half of what the recipe normally calls for. You can always add more. Be careful not to overcook fresh herbs because that may result in a bitter tasting finished product.
Culinary herbs share the spotlight with fragrance herbs, ornamental herbs and medicinal herbs.
Experts point out that herbs are not only useful, but delightful to look at, smell, stroke and enjoy. Lavender, named 1999 herb of the year by the International Herb Growers Association, is the perfect example of a versatile herb. The pretty plant with spikey purple flowers is known as the herb of devotion. Lavender is often used as decorative edging in gardens. The flowers once dried are popular for use in crafting.