Herb Gardens-Beginning Basics
For years, herbs have been used in medicines, as elements of landscape design, for
fragrance, and of course, for adding flavor in cooking. There are many advantages to
starting your very own herb garden, and it really isn't that difficult to do. Here you will
find a basic guideline to help you get started with your own herb garden, and some tips
that will help make herb gardening a more pleasurable, rewarding experience. With a
little time spent studying, and some hard work, you could have a wonderful, productive
herb garden, that you get all the credit for!
Before you start spending money on your herb gardening endeavor, take the time to
carefully plan out your herb garden. Decide where you want to plant it at, and what types
of herbs you want to have. One easy way to choose your herbs is to think about the types
of herbs that you already use in your kitchen. Study up on the types you choose, so you
will know what kind of environment they do best in, and how much room they will need
in your garden. There are lots of great resources online, or you can visit your local
home/garden store for help in selecting the herbs that you want for your garden.
It is best to sketch a rough plan of your herb garden on paper first, before you start
planting. Separate the herbs by plant type, annuals in one space, perennials in another.
This will make it easier when it is time to rotate your herb plants as the seasons change.
This may sound like common sense, but it is a mistake people often make, and one that
should be avoided: plant your tallest herbs in the back of your garden. Larger plants will
crowd out the smaller ones, which isn't a good thing.
If space is an issue, you can always do an indoor herb garden using pots. Just make
certain you get fairly large pots, and allow for drainage. They will need to be placed in an
area where they can get ample sunlight, in order for your herbs to grow.
Some herbs require certain soil conditions for optimum growth. It is a good idea to think
about this when you are doing your research. If your soil is lacking needed nutrients, you
can add them with fertilizer. In general, your soil should be a mix of sand, silt, and clay.
Different varieties of herbs will grow best in certain types of soil, so it is a good ideato do
your homework prior to planting.
It may be cheaper to start your herb garden from seed, rather than already growing plants.
Plants tend to be much more expensive, and are often harder to care for than seeds that
you plant. It is up to your own personal preference though, since after all, it is your herb
garden!
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