Starting Your Own Herb Garden
For someone who likes to garden, but doesn't have the time to invest in a regular vegetable garden, an herb garden can be a good alternative. Having fresh herbs, that you grew, can really be a great way to add spice and flair to your meals, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you did all the work.
Once you have made the decision to start your own herb garden(s), you will next need to think about what types of herbs you want to have. One of the easiest ways to make this decision is to think about the herbs you use on a regular basis, or what you already have stocked up. Having your own herb gardens will save you a lot of money, if you routinely season your food with fresh herbs. Some good starter herbs might be basil, parsley, rosemary, sage, mint, chives, and dill.
If you have an outdoor herb garden, you will need to choose a spot that isn't likely to flood. Too much water can seriously hinder your herb gardening efforts, so this is important. Try to choose a good spot in your yard, one that gets lots of sun, and isn't downhill.
Especially for your first herb garden, you will find that it is much more cost effective to purchase seeds to plant, rather than seedlings from your local garden store. Some types of herbs grow rapidly, so it is a good idea to do your homework. Rapidly growing herbs will do better in a pot, rather than a garden, so they don't overtake other plants.
When it is time to gather your herbs, you will need to be careful not to over-harvest, as this can kill your plants. It is a good idea to wait at least a few months after planting, to give your herb plant plenty of time to grow and be healthy, before you start taking herbs. Giving your herb plants a healthy start will lengthen their lifetime, and boost your harvest.
Fresh herbs need to be dried before use, and you can do this fairly easily by spreading them out on a baking sheet, and putting them in a preheated oven for about 3 hours. Set your oven temperature to about 170 degrees.
Once your herbs are dry, you can either use them right away, or store them for later use. Storing herbs can be tricky, and it is best if you use glass containers, and check them on a regular basis to ensure there is no accumulating moisture inside. If so, you will need to dry the herbs again in the oven. If you allow the herbs to remain moist in storage, they will mildew and be unusable.
Having your own herb garden can be a great way to satisfy your green thumb, and save some money on your weekly grocery bill! Once you have your herb garden established, it is just a matter of caring for your plants, harvesting the herbs, and storing them properly for later use!
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