Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and...Basil???

(Are you going to Scarborough Fair?)
Really, a recommendation on the must-have herbs for your garden...

Consistently the top two in my recipes lately are Rosemary and Sage - they are also the easiest to grow and the most resistant to abuse (i.e. not watering enough)  Plant them directly in the ground and they'll do just fine:

 

Rosemary - Perennial that grows in bush-like shape; can be trained to various topiary shapes; drought hardy.  Add finely chopped as a part of a marinade for chicken or integrated whole stems into vegetable soups.  Finely minced also works on top of homemade breads and pizza dough with sea salt and garlic along with olive oil or mixed in with Greek yogurt for dips. 

Sage - grows low to the ground; some varieties seem to spread more than others - very drought hardy.  Saute in a mix of olive oil and butter along with squash and zucchini.  Go with a brown butter sauce and add sage on top of whole wheat ravioli with pumpkin or butternut squash - divine!  Tastes like fall...

A tie for third is Basil, Parsley and Dill.  Also fantastic, these three require a tiny bit of care (i.e. they just need to be watered).

Basil - Grows in clumps or rows, you can grow easily from seed.  Usually about 18" height.  Add to any pasta salad, any green salad finely diced.  Homemade salad dressings, pizzas, soups, etc. also benefit.  Brings a flavor of "fresh" and "summer" to any dish it's added to...

Parsley - Makes any dish look prettier as a garnish.  Grows in little clumps or rows as well - recommend growing from seed.  Works well added to creamy dipping sauces and makes a terrific addition to homemade soups.  I prefer the flat leaf kind to grow - also attracts swallow tail butterflies.  

Dill - adds a zesty touch to salads and dips.  Also is great with lemon juice as a marinade for chicken or fish.  This one you can set in separate containers, direct sow, or buy pre-planted...I don't know that I have a recommended method.  Just depends how much of it you want - I generally go from seed.  Reaches height of around 18"

Here's what else is in the backyard currently out of the herb family:

• Oregano (Two Varieties)
• Thyme
• Lemon Grass
• Mint
• Cilantro
• Chives

Harvesting your herbs is nothing to be afraid of...  

Just cut off what you need and go.  They are plants and thus are resilient.  Once established, they can take the cuttings - and your kitchen will thank you for it!