For the most part herbs are perrenial and very easy to grow. So here's some info on the most popular and useful of the herbs that enhance fragrance and the joyful experience of haute cuisine!

Winter Savory.

There is ho-hum bean soup - and then there is Bean Soup Man! A bean soup that dazzles the taste buds and satisfies the soul! The secret is Winter Savory. A fragrance made in heaven, just for bean soup. Also great in gravies, stews, dressings, vinegar and other soups. Also a salt substitute. Stronger flavour than Summer Savory. Grow 3 plants, for fresh, (lots) more for drying. Slow from seed, best from divisions. Clip at the start of flowering season for drying. Start early indoors, or outdoors after pobbility of frost.

Tarragon

Best from divisions; plants grown from seed are not the true culinary Tarragon. Creeping habit; slow growing; dies to ground in winter. Attractive container plant. 3 plants for fresh and dry use. Divide every three years. For subtle flavour enhancement in salads, eggs and cheese dishes, fish and poultry.

Thyme

Slow but good from seed, best by division in spring or fall. Divide and and replant every three years. 3 plants for fresh use. As it is a year-round evergreen drying is not needed. Clip after blooming to keep bushy. Indispensable in meats, poultry, stews, sauces, soups and dressings.

Sweet Basil

Quick and easy from seed; start early indoors, or outdoors after danger of frost. Pinch out all flower spikes, otherwise plant will die after producing seed. 3 plants, more for drying. Lends a pleasant sweet, mild flavour to tomatoes, tomato sauces, pesto, cheese, eggs, fish, shellfish, poultry, salads.

Siam Queen Basil
Quick and simple from seed. "West Coast Seeds" has seed, if you can't find seedlings at your favourite garden centre. More tender and more intensely flavored than Sweet Basil. 3 plants for fresh use, more for drying. Otherwise as above. Great in Thai and Italian recipes, shellfish, pesto, curries.

Summer Savory

Best from seed after last frost where it will be grown, or start early indoors. 3 plants, more for drying. Excellent container plant. Great in beans and mild flavouring for meats, gravies, soups, stews, eggs, fish, soups, vegetables, dressings, butter and vinegars.

The Front Yard Lawn or Groundcover?

The summer heralds in lots of sun and fun, and as outdoor activities abound at this time, lawn care can be easily overlooked. Lawn maintenance can be a laborious undertaking in the summer months, making you inclined to slacken on the task. However, the following tips will keep your lawn looking healthy and lovely throughout the summer and are well worth the effort. Keep reading thought if you'd like to replace it with something easier to care for and just as beautiful.

Mowing

Avoid mowing your lawn frequently during the summer. Mow once in two weeks. Also, keep the grass a little longer than you usually do in the spring and fall. This will provide valuable shade for the soil and reduce the possibility of your lawn burning. If you slightly raise the mowing height, it will have a favourable impact on your lawn as scalping becomes less of a necessity. Do not cut off more than one-third of the lawn height at once. When more of the grass blades are showing, it has the effect of making the lawn appear greener. Grass roots are also enabled to penetrate deeper into the ground for moisture and nutrients, which is helpful during the hot and dry summer months.

Sick of Lawncare? Here are a few alternatives.

Bugleflower

Bugleflower (Ajuga reptans) is a low-growing plant that spreads quickly and makes a soft, thick mat. If left to grow, it can reach heights of 2" to 6" (depending on the variety), and will produce beautiful white, purple or blue flowers. There are several leaf colors available, including purple, pink and variegated varieties. So, if you're in the mood for something really funky, why not plant a purple lawn? Bugleflower will grow in sunny or shady areas and can be mowed just like grass, although you will need to do so less often.

White Clover*

One way of minimizing water use on your lawn or garden is to collect rainwater from your roof and down spouts in a rain barrel or other container, and keep it covered with an insect screen.

For many Canadians, summer means watering lawns, washing cars and filling swimming pools. As a result, during the hot summer months, water use in most Canadian cities can double - placing stress on municipal water systems, increasing the chances of municipal restrictions on water usage and increasing the cost for both taxpayers and water users.

This summer, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has a variety of tips you can use to minimize the amount of water used on your lawn and garden:

• Before watering, always take into account the amount of rainfall the week before. Leave a measuring container in the yard to help monitor rainfall (making sure to empty it once a week) and keep in mind any watering restrictions that may apply in your city.

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• Lawns do not normally need more than about 2.5 cm of water once a week. If you've received this amount or more in rainfall for the week, you can skip a week of watering. To measure the right amount, for example, place an empty tuna can on your lawn while watering evenly. Then time how long it takes to fill the can so you'll know how long to run your sprinkler for. If you set your timer for this amount of time, the water will shut off automatically.

• If you use a sprinkler or hose, position it to avoid watering hard surfaces such as driveways and patios. Otherwise, you could be sending water - and money - down the drain!

• To reduce evaporation, water in the morning before 9:00 am, and on less windy days.

• Water slowly and thoroughly to avoid run-off and ensure the soil absorbs the water. Thorough deep waterings are preferable to superficial, frequent ones.

• Regularly check your hose or irrigation equipment for leaks or blockages.

• Collect rainwater from your roof and down spouts in a rain barrel or other container, and keep it covered with an insect screen.

• Don't cut your lawn any shorter than six to eight centimetres, so that the roots are shaded and better able to hold water. Also, avoid mowing when the lawn is dry or dormant.

• Apply a layer of mulch around garden plants, shrubs and trees to retain moisture, moderate soil temperature, control erosion and suppress weeds.

• Select plant species that are well suited to the soil, sunlight and moisture conditions on your property. For dry, sunny spots, select drought-tolerant, sun-loving plants. Drought-tolerant lawn species include fescues and white clover.

• Finally, choose an efficient irrigation system. Place a soaker hose on the ground at the base of trees, shrubs, perennials, flower beds and vegetable gardens, or use a drip or trickle irrigation system. They apply water directly to the soil rather than to the leaves, while significantly reducing evaporation. Also, use a timer to automatically set the required watering time, which will help you avoid overwatering.