• Herb gardens are as useful as they are beautiful.S. Solum/PhotoLink/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  Herbs require full sun to grow, making them ideal for Central Florida's USDA Hardiness zone 9. Chuck Clark, the president of the Herb Society of Central Florida, recommends you plant your herbs near a walkway or door where you can see them every day. This will make harvest easier and encourage you to water and care for your herbs. Gardening is year round in Central Florida. Plant warm weather herbs in the spring for summer harvest and cool weather herbs in the fall for harvest in the winter.
  
  

Rosemary

• Rosemary is used in herbal remedies.rosemary image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.com
  
  An evergreen, perennial shrub, rosemary bears pale blue flowers in the spring. Pungent, small needle-like leaves cover this woody shrub throughout the year. Rosemary requires evenly moist soil. Good drainage is a must as the roots will rot in periods of extended wet soil. Rosemary can be grown in the garden or in a container, according to the University of Illinois Extension. Harvest the leaves throughout the year. Use rosemary dried or fresh to season many culinary dishes such as stews, roast meats and vegetables. Rosemary has a long history and was once thought to be a cure for the plague. It is also known as the herb of remembrance.
  
  

Basil

• Basil is an easy-to-grow herb.basil_window image by cilin from Fotolia.com
  
  Native to parts of India, Africa and Asia, basil is a warm-season annual and a member of the mint family. This herb is easy to grow, requiring only well-drained soil and full sun. With over 50 varieties available, basil boasts leaves in shades of green and purple, making them an striking addition to perennial gardens and containers. Basil has a significant history throughout the world and is associated with many cultures. This herb grows between 6 inches and 2 feet tall. Pink, white or purple flower spikes bloom in mid-summer to late fall. Harvest basil before the flowers bloom. Leaves can be plucked singularly or whole stems cut from the plant. This herb is used dried or fresh to season tomato dishes, eggs, soups and salads. It is also the key ingredient in pesto.
  
  

Parsley

• Parsley is rich in many vitamins.parsley image by Zbigniew Nowak from Fotolia.com
  
  Used most often as a garnish, parsley is a cool-season herb with decorative leaves. Native to the Mediterranean, parsley belongs to the same family as celery. Parsley is available in many cultivars from finely divided leaves to broader leaved varieties. This is a biennial, meaning it grows for two years, flowering the second year. In Florida, it's planted in the fall and harvested in early spring. Parsley requires well-drained, but moist soil, and full sun The University of Florida IFAS Extension suggests you feed parsley with nitrogen monthly to assure good leaf production. Aside for its use as a garnish, parley is also used to season meats and salads.