Herb Garden Information
If you’re reading this then you already probably know that the use of herbs can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians and Chinese. In fact, there are even several references in the Bible, as well as in many medieval documents, that confirm herbs have been used in the vast majority of households. Having an herb garden at home has several benefits, in that it can supply you with a wide variety of herbs which can be used to add flavor to food, to make tea, for homemade potpourri, and even for medicinal purposes. Several different herbs can also be used as a deterrent for pests in the garden, and one of the best things about herb gardens is that you can grow different herbs for different purposes in a garden all of their own, or else you can simply begin growing some in between other plants.
Additionally, depending on your circumstances and the conditions where you live, you can even choose to have an indoor herb garden right there in your kitchen. On the other hand, if you choose to have your herb garden outside, you’ll only require a small piece of ground in order to be able to grow a sufficient amount of herbs to support a small family. Even though the vast majority of people start a herb garden so that they can have a variety of herbs to use in cooking, many herbs can also be used for their aromatic foliage, and many can be planted simply for their beautiful flowers. Another great thing about herbs is that they can be used fresh or dried, and even as a means to garnish plates or salads.
Just as with all other plants, herbs are also grown as annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees. In the vast majority of cases, herbs should be planted and grown in well drained soil, so if the soil in your area tends to be too heavy then you’ll need to consider adding in some organic matter, bearing in mind that it’s not necessary to use any type of fertilizers. Another thing to bear in mind is that most herbs do well in a sunny location, although there are of course a few which prefer a little bit of shade, or even full shade. Fortunately for gardeners, very few herbs are affected by disease and/or pests, although spider mites can sometimes be a problem in very dry, hot weather, particularly those plants which grow close to the ground.
As you no doubt already know, herbs can be grown from seed, or they can be purchased from a garden center and then planted in your home garden. Even so, most gardeners will agree that growing herbs from seed is far more rewarding than buying the ready grown plants. Fortunately, practically all herbs can be grown from seed, and if to you choose to go down this road, you need to remember that the seeds should be started in a shallow tray towards the end of winter. Also, almost all herbs have a relatively shallow root system, and as such, they shouldn’t be too much soil covering the seeds. Remember, the smaller the seed, the shallower it should be planted. Once spring arrives you can go ahead and transplant your seedlings. One factor which you need to take into consideration is the fact that not all herbs like being transferred, and as such, the likes of dill, fennel, anise, and coriander should be planted directly into the garden.
As many gardeners can attest to, growing herbs in a home garden is for the most part very easy, although there is still much you need to know. The purpose of this article is simply to encourage you to begin growing your own herbs, bearing in mind that you can find all the information you need right here.
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