Q: I would like to grow my own herbs to enjoy fresh and/or dried. Please list some basics regarding how to proceed and have a successful outcome.

A: According to a national gardening survey, more than 14 million households in the United States grow herbs in the garden, in containers, or on the window sill. The enjoyment they provide is multi-faceted. In addition to their obvious role in cooking, herbs are also attractive and add color to your garden. Their interesting textures and forms, rich or subtle fragrances can be an important part of your garden enjoyment.

This, of course, does not discount the wonderful contribution herbs make to the meals you serve. You will find the skillful use of herbs reduces the need to salt foods -- a major health benefit.

Herb garden basics include the following:

* In general, herbs prefer a moderately rich soil. An overly rich soil (or excessive fertilizing) can lead to vigorous growth, which can detract from the essence of the herb. This is due to a reduction of the essential oil content.

Many culinary herbs, such as thyme and oregano, are of Mediterranean heritage and are accustomed to growing in gravely soils. Make sure the soil in your herb garden has excellent drainage. If yours does not, consider growing your herbs either in raised beds or containers.

* Most herbs prefer full sun -- at least six hours per day. Herbs that will tolerate light shade include chives, cilantro, dill and mint.

* Most herbs will do well with about 1 inch of water per week.

* Once established, most herb plants are remarkably resistant to insect and disease attack. The oils that give them aroma and flavor may contribute to their ability to repel pests. However, be aware, basil in particular is subject to Fusarium wilt. Further, aphids and leafhopper, two common pests, enjoy basil.

* Harvest herbs by cutting back a shoot to just above a leaf. This will provide both your day's harvest and encourage a nice, bushy growth on the remaining plant. In general, an herb's flavor is most pronounced when harvested just before the plant begins to flower and in the morning when the oils are most concentrated.

* Heavily harvested herb plants can look unattractive. You might consider interplanting herb beds with annual flowers to camouflage trimmed plants.

* Herbs can provide important habitat for beneficial insects. Dill and fennel are two herbs beneficial insects particularly like.

* Perennial mints are typically very vigorous and can become invasive. Rather than planting them directly in the garden, grow the plants in containers, then, if you wish, sink the container into the garden. This will contain the roots and limit spreading.

Q. We moved from a place that had a high incidence of fire, and wonder what type of plants are safer to plant near our home?

A. It is wise to take precautions to protect your home and property. First of all, fire-resistant does not mean fireproof so be sure to keep all of your landscape plants healthy with appropriate watering and pruning.

Planting bushes that will grow very large close to your house could increase the risk of fire to your home. Plan and create a defensible space between your home and landscape as a barrier to help slow the spread of fire toward your home. Leaving several feet between the overhead branches of trees planted next to each other in your yard, or trimming the branches back so they are not touching, can also slow the spread of fire.

Most deciduous trees and shrubs are fire-resistant. Plants that produce little dead wood and tend not to accumulate dry, dead material within the plant are also relatively fire-resistant.

Plants that are highly flammable generally contain fine, dry or dead material within the plant such as twigs, needles and leaves. Many homes in our area have foundation shrubs that drop needles and twigs that can be a fire hazard. Plants or trees that have leaves, twigs and stems that contain volatile waxes, terpenes, oil, or leaves that are aromatic and have a strong odor when crushed can also be flammable. Plants with sap that is gummy or resinous or that have loose, papery bark also fall into this category.

Healthy turf can be included in a fire-resistant landscape and serve as a fuel break.

For further information, check out the WSU website: http://ext.wsu.edu/. An excellent handbook titled "Fire-Resistant Plants for the Home Landscape" (PNW 590) is available for $3 from the Washington State University/Yakima County Extension Office at 509-574-1600.

Class calendar

* An Hour with Master Gardeners: "More Than Just Harvesting Your Herbs"

Washington State University/Yakima County Master Gardeners offer a class on picking, drying and cooking with herbs. The class will be at 10 a.m. Aug.14 in the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden at Ahtanum Youth Park, 1003 Ahtanum Road, Union Gap.

Parking and the class are free. For further information, call 509-574-1600.

* Worm Composting for Kids

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 13, the Yakima Area Arboretum will hold the class, "Worm Composting for Kids," the total worm composting package for second-graders and up.

Kids will learn about the benefits of worm composting, examine all of the components of a healthy worm bin up close, and learn how to set up and care for their own bin. Kids will leave with everything they need to worm compost at home, including a starter worm bin, worms and instructional materials.

Cost for the class is $20 for YAA members, $25 for nonmembers. Call the arboretum at 509-248-7337, or stop by 1401 Arboretum Drive, Yakima, to reserve a spot. Class size is limited to 15 children.

* Washington State University Extension Master Gardener Program is an organization of trained volunteers dedicated to horticulture and community service. Questions about gardening, landscaping or the program may be directed toward the Master Gardener Clinic by calling 509-574-1600 or visiting the WSU Extension office at 104 N. First St. in Yakima. New volunteers are welcome.