Many of us enjoy using herbs in our kitchen since they add so much flavor and texture to our food. And it is even more fun when we grow them ourselves and can pick them straight from the garden.

Have you ever wanted to grow your own herbs, but didn't know how to go about doing it? You may have had one or more of these questions:

• What is an herb? How are they different from spices? 
• How do you plant and grow herbs?
• Is it better to start herbs from seeds?
• Which herbs should be grown in warm season or in cool season?
• Should I grow herbs in a pot or in the ground?

Discover the answers to these questions and more at the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Culinary Herbs class talks at local libraries during the month of December.

You'll also learn when to plant, how to care for herb plants, when to harvest, and ways to store herbs. Many herbs will be reviewed including basil, cilantro, dill, parsley, fenugreek, oregano, bay laurel, chives, turmeric, culinary lavender, lemon balm, and mint. Participants will receive seed packets to take home to get their own herb garden started.

The library class schedule is below. Please note, the Modesto downtown library branch will be closed for renovation. To read more about the November 30 library closure, visit the Modesto Library Improvement page at https://www.stanislauslibrary.org/modesto_library.shtm  

Denise Godbout-Avant has been a UC Master Gardener in Stanislaus County since 2020