Over the course of human history, herbs have had a special place in our lives. They are regularly used as medicine, as aromatherapy, and to season our food. It is easy to plan and grow a personal herb garden, and the benefits of having common herb on hand are numerous.
Before beginning to plant, it is important to consider what type of herb garden best fits your lifestyle. For gardeners who enjoy putting in the extra work, an outdoor herb garden can provide a wide variety of herbs spread over a large area. For those who are looking for an herb garden needing less time and effort, an indoor garden is the way to go. An indoor garden can easily fit on a countertop, taking up very little space.
An herb garden needs fertile soil to grow. Prepare the soil ahead of time by adding in fertilizer and removing large rocks. Make sure the area you’ve chosen drains easily. For indoor gardens, choose a container with drainage holes in the bottom.
Decide which herbs you want in your garden, and plan a layout. For an indoor garden, it is easy to decide which herbs to use by considering which herbs you use most often in your kitchen. For outdoor gardens, there are a few more choices. A kitchen herb garden is an option here, too, as well as a knot garden, a garden for decorative purposes, or any other number of purposes. Consider the different soils each herb may need. Also check to see which herbs need full light, partial light, or shade before planting.
Taller herbs should be planted towards the back of an herb garden bed, with shorter plants towards the front. This assures that all of the plant will receive maximum amounts of sunshine. Ground covers, like thyme, can be used in the front of an herb garden, or elsewhere as part of a landscaping effect. Most herb gardens are grown in a formal style, in rows. Herbs also lend themselves nicely to decorative planting.
Herbs should be trimmed right before the plant blooms. At this point, the herbs will have the most intense flavor. Herbs meant for drying and preserving should be trimmed at their aromatic peak. When harvesting seeds, like anise, from your herb garden, be careful to pick them after they have fully ripened but before the seeds begin to disperse.
It is easy to plan and grow an herb garden. Research the needs of each herb before you plant it to maximize your success. If you are looking for a simplified herb garden, consider buying an herb garden kit. These kits come with the needed planters, seeds, and needs. Some come with a light situated above the plants, so that the kit can be placed anywhere you choose. Because they are easy to grow, herb gardens are great for both experienced and novice gardeners, as well as for culinary enthusiasts and crafters.
