The best tips for herb gardening involve careful planning and consistent care. Instead of selecting herbs on a whim, take the time to make selections that will work well together. Pay attention to the needs of various herbs and provide them with the best soil, fertilizer, and location possible.
The best soil for most herbs is a blend of sand, silt, and clay along with some organic matter. Regularly add compost to your herbs and avoid the use of harsh pesticides. This will result in a healthy crop that also has the benefit of being organically grown.
Herb gardening requires very little space and even a small plant will provide ample seasoning for a family’s meals. You can grow herbs in containers or a garden. Most herbs can be grown both indoors and outdoors. If your herb gardening is taking place indoors, make sure that you have a sunny windowsill in which to place them with several hours of direct sunlight each day. If this isn’t available, use a grow light to supplement the natural sunlight available.
If your herbs are grown in a container, make sure that there are drainage holes in the bottom to keep the soil from becoming too wet. Water the plants regularly to keep the soil moist. Herbs grown outdoors should be placed in an area with well draining soil. Keep a layer of compost on top of the soil to improve drainage.
Utilize companion planting in your herb gardening to enhance the growth of both your herbs and other vegetables you may have in your garden. Basil can help improve the flavor of tomatoes when grown nearby. Rosemary and sage will deter pests from carrots and cabbage.
If you’re a novice gardener, purchase sprouts from a nursery rather than trying to sprout seeds yourself. If you’re a pro at starting seeds, you can start the herbs yourself in peat pots indoors. Wait five to ten weeks before transplanting your herbs into a garden or larger container garden.
Once you have established an herb garden, provide regular watering and pruning to keep the plants healthy. Avoid pruning just before winter hits to keep your herbs alive through this cold season. Protect the plants in winter by mulching to keep the roots warm. Bring more delicate herbs indoors for the winter and keep them in a container garden near a window or under grow lights.