By Tamara Galbraith

There are few downsides to owning an aloe. It is beautiful, easy to grow and, of course, handy in emergencies. Certainly, no kitchen should be without an aloe plant. If you've ever suffered a burn and used the plant's gel to treat it, you already know how well it works to reduce the pain and speed healing.

In fact, hospital trials have been underway for several years to study the usefulness and safety of an aloe-based liquid as a blood substitute in cases of extreme blood loss.

For the home gardener's use, an aloe plant will be very happy in a bright kitchen window. Plant it in a container with a good potting soil like Master Nursery Cactus Mix. Let the soil dry completely between waterings; when the pointed, fat leaves of an aloe plant droop slightly, it's usually time to water. Root rot can be a problem, so err on the side of caution and don't overwater.

If you'd like to encourage flowering of your aloe plant, gradually acclimate it to full sun outdoors once the threat of frost has passed. The orange-ish flowers appear on long growth spikes, are attractive to hummingbirds, and are even edible. However, the famously helpful gel shouldn't be eaten.

By Tamara Galbraith

Herbs that prefer cooler temperatures are definitely in the minority. Southern gardeners know that, in the heat of summer, it's hard to keep control of the basil and borage. But parsley? It's a cool character in the herb garden.

Parsley's history is pretty cool too. Winners at the ancient Greek games were crowned with wreaths of woven parsley. In medieval times, it was believed that parsley only grew in the garden of an honest man or women and, when chewed, would keep away the devil.

In the garden, parsley is an easy-to-grow spring herb. It is a biennial, meaning it lasts only about two seasons before flowering and going to seed. There are generally two standard types of parsley: curly-leafed and flat-leafed. The curly type — commonly served as garnish — tends to be stronger in flavor, while flat-leafed parsley is milder and preferred for use in recipes.

The ideal soil for growing parsley is fertile, fluffy, moist and cool. We recommend amending with Bumper Crop Soil Builder before planting. Although full sun is preferred in cooler zones, hotter regions should not only mulch the plants but let them lounge in afternoon shade for best results. Parsley also does well as an indoor plant in a kitchen garden.

Even if you're not a cook, parsley's delicate shape makes a beautiful addition to the landscape. And if you don't care about eating your own parsley, then by all means, let the larvae of swallowtail butterflies chow down on it, should they show up.