Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme
By Cheryl Farley
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme – great in a song, beautiful in the garden and delicious in soup! Luckily
for those of us residing in Maine culinary herbs are easy to grow, at least most of the time, and add
endless joy in and out of the garden bed. Many will thrive in the garden until snow cover and survive
through the winter with no trouble. Some on the other hand require indoor conditions. Either way it is
time to get out the crockpot, harvest and chop, and start creating delicious warm comfort food fit for the
season. And if an herb garden is not at one’s fingertips at present – time to start dreaming of creating one
for next year!
Thomas Jefferson grew parsley in abundance at Monticello. He was fan of all things French, and it was
(and still is) a popular ingredient in French cooking. Gardens of Jefferson’s time often edged their beds
with parsley, a design idea that holds up today. It comes in flat-leaf and curly-leaf varieties, both of which
are easy to grow. It is cold-hardy so it can be planted by seed in early spring and then left in the garden
bed for use until the first snow flies. But, it most likely will not survive a Maine winter. It is a good idea
plant at least a few in a container that can be brought indoors to be used in recipes all winter long.
Where would poultry stuffing, sausages, and roasted vegetables be without sage? This classic herb has
been a culinary staple in Italy and many cultures throughout history. Here in the U.S., its smell is sure to
evoke strong memories of roast turkey stuffing and Thanksgiving dinners. It is a hardy perennial that
grows easily in Maine’s climate, especially if planted in full sun and well-drained soil. To keep it neat and
tidy, prune regularly throughout the growing season – its leaves dry and store nicely. Its fuzzy smokey-
blue leaves add soft texture and a soothing color to the garden bed. And, sage has been known to be
bundled and burned to ward off unwanted spirits and cleanse the air!
Rosemary is a member of the sage family and native to the Mediterranean region, where it grows
abundantly as small shrubs. It was used by ancient Greek students to boost memory, by Medieval brides
for wreathes to wear in their hair to symbolize love, and by Shakespeare when referring to burial or
memorial rites in his plays. It is still prized for its medicinal properties. It is a beautiful plant that adds
vertical interest to the garden and with a little skill, it can even be shaped into topiaries. It is best grown in
containers that can be brought indoors before frost, as it is not winter-hardy. As a culinary delight,
rosemary adds flavor to roasted meats, potatoes, breads, and stews – almost any hardy winter fare. And, is
there anything that smells better when cooking?
Ancients Egyptians used thyme for embalming, the ancient Greeks scattered its leaves in their baths, and
in the Middle Ages women gave thyme leaves to knights to bring them courage in times of need. Thyme
is low-growing, drought-tolerant perennial with delicate small leaves and great aroma. There are many
varieties of thyme, not all of them culinary. Many are used as a groundcover or as an ornamental feature.
Of the many culinary varieties, the most common is, well, “common thyme” (Thymus vulgaris). It’s
savory flavor is used to enhance many recipes and is a key ingredient in bouquet garni and herbes de
Provence. And, it retains its flavor after drying better than any other herb!
So, while cozied up at home making all those wonderful soups and casseroles – start dreaming of what
herbs can be added to the spring garden. With a little bit of thoughtful planning and care, anyone can
enjoy a bounty of fresh herbs throughout the growing season. Each herb brings its own distinct flavor to
the kitchen, and there are so many to learn about, grow and enjoy. Growing and utilizing herbs can
elevate cooking by the wonderful flavors only fresh culinary herbs can provide, bring the joy of fresh,
homegrown ingredients to the table, add beauty and aroma to the garden – and can even inspire a song!
