Herb Garden
Herb Gardening Tips
Herbs can be annual, biennial or perennial. Herbs with lifespan of one year are known as annuals, while those with a lifespan of two years are known as biennials. Perennials are ones that live longer than two years. Herb gardening is not only an art but also a science besides being a great form of exercise and a hobby. The Chinese, Indians and Greeks have extensively developed herb gardening for centuries. According to the main characteristic of herbs, they can be classified as culinary, medicinal or ornamental herbs.
You can become successful herb gardener if you know the secrets of setting up a herb garden and taking care of it the right way. Even though each herb grows in different conditions, all herbs maintain the equilibrium of their surroundings. Herb gardening can either be done indoors or outdoors. While few grow well indoors in a pot or a container, others grow well only in the garden. Edible herbs grown by you would be free of herbicides. In turn, you can safely consume chemical-free herbs.
Maintenance
Easy maintenance and low costs are the main advantages of herb gardening. However, there are few points to remember when you try growing herbs, especially the edible varieties. If you opt for indoor gardening, make sure you choose appropriate pots or containers. While selecting the edible parts of the herb for consumption, make sure that they are not infected or have any insect bites. Some of the herbs may not like to be restricted to a pot or vessel. Make sure that you do not plant such herbs inside the house.
Herb Gardening In Containers
You can use any container for growing plants. Make sure that there are no insects, bugs or snails hiding inside the vessel or pot used for sowing the seeds. Insects are the worst enemies of any kind of plant, as they destroy the leaves and other important parts of the herb. Also, make sure that the holes are such that bugs cannot crawl into the pot after filling it with soil. Before you fill the pot or container with soil, cover the bigger holes with a thin cloth so that it covers the hole and a small portion around it. The cloth should be one that allows water to drain out and at the same time, keeps the insects out.
Fill the pot with sufficient and appropriate soil, and then sow the seeds in appropriate climatic conditions. You can also choose to purchase ready-made pots with the herb already planted in it. In both conditions, you should remember to change the soil after 3 months. Moreover, make sure that you pluck off the dried and dead leaves, and keep trimming the herb so that it does not grow wild.
Raised bed herb gardens and Parterre are other styles of herb gardening besides container gardening. With a sincere effort on your part and proper care, you too can show off your homegrown herbs to all and sundry.
About the Author
Get all of the latest in herb gardening tips know how from the one and only true gardening resource at http://www.herbgardensadvice.com/ Be sure to check out our herb gardening tips pages on our web site.
I was wondering how do I go about starting an herb garden in my apartment?
I live in a an apartment in Portland and I was unsure of how to go about starting and herb garden.
If you’re looking for a way to feel more at home in your new apartment, we have a solution for you. It’s economical, challenging (but not too difficult) and it allows you to explore your creative side. Herb gardening, either from a window box planter, on your kitchen counter or in an outdoor space is a great way to personalize your home with the look and smell of these useful plants. Some of the staff at Apartments.com find that herb gardening can save money, since buying new herbs from the store can really add up. Plus you’ll be getting fresher versions that may even encourage you to stay in and prepare Your Own meals more often. So grab a shovel and start planting today! Here’s how to get started:
˚ Herbs for planting are purchased in small plastic containers. A nice collection that can be grown in the same container includes basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary and chives. You can drop this combination into a stew, soup or salsa for an amazing flavor burst. Starter kits are also available at most garden centers.
˚ Choosing your container is no time to be boring! They come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, or be resourceful and use an old mug or teapot. Be unconventional—herb gardens have even been grown in old hiking boots and shoes. Just be sure you can punch drainage holes into the base.
˚ Choose a potting soil mix (don’t use garden soil!) to ensure the healthiness of your plants. Your local garden center should have pre-mixed bags.
˚ Most herbs require at least four hours of sunlight every day, so find a place in your apartment where your plants can flourish. If your apartment is especially dark, use a fluorescent light.
You can choose as many types of herbs as you like; just be sure that you have adequate planting room. You’ll be planting the seeds 2-3 inches apart. The best way to choose which herbs to plant is by seeing what dishes they compliment. Use this list to determine which herbs work best with your tastes:
BasilMediterranean dishes, chicken, tomato sauces, pesto
Chivesonion flavor, potatoes, fish, chowder
Coriander or CilantroAsian and Mexican dishes, pesto, burgers
Oreganopoultry, pork, veal, roasts
Parsleypotatoes, soups, pastas
Rosemarybreads, meat, potatoes, salads, soups, eggs
Sagestuffing, vegetable dishes, fatty meats
Tarragonvegetables, poultry, fish, sauces
ThymeFrench dishes, poultry, lamb, seafood, vegetables
When you harvest your herbs, you can go to http://allrecipes.com/advice/coll/all/articles/83P1.asp for accompanying recipes to this list.
Your days of gourmet dinners filled with the aroma and flavor of your hand-grown herbs are just around the corner. You have all you supplies and have carefully chosen a selection of herbs for your kitchen. Here’s how to plant and tend Your Garden:
˚ Before planting the seeds, soak them in water or between wet paper towels in a plastic bag for 2-4 hours.
˚ Plant seeds by sprinkling them over the soil and then covering them with 1/4 –inch additional soil. For seedlings, bury the roots so that are at the same depth as the container they were transferred from.
˚ Have Popsicle sticks or another form of writable material on hand for labeling the seeds as you plant them. This will ensure you don’t get them mixed up as they grow.
˚ Water the plants until moisture comes out through the drainage holes. The plants will thrive in a warm location (on top of the refrigerator works well for many apartment-dwellers). Leave them there until they spout, watering them only when the soil is dry to the touch.
˚ When the herbs germinate (meaning when they first sprout), transfer them from their cozy warm location to a sunny place where they can grow. Continue to water them whenever the soil gets dry.
˚ You may have to snip out some of the plants using scissors or gardening shears if a large number germinate. This is necessary to avoid overcrowding in your garden. You can harvest your herbs as soon as they are established. Just be sure to leave a sprig behind so that they continue to grow.
˚ Trimming your herbs will allow them to grow bushy and continue sprouting new crops.
When cooking with your herbs, you can take them right off the stem and into your dish. You can also preserve your herbs by drying or freezing them. Freeze chives and cilantro by removing the stems and placing them in zip-lock freezer bags. Dry oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme; store them in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Either method will work for basil, parsley and tarragon. Dried herbs lose their potency after about one year and should then be discarded. Because the sun dries out the flavors in herbs, it is best to pick them just before they bloom to preserve their aroma and flavor. If you harvest your herbs in late September, you’ll have a good stockpile to last you through the winter. Herb gardens are proof that you don’t have to live in a sprawling home with a giant backyard to enjoy the fruits of your gardening labors right in your dinner. Bon appetit!
Shpongle - The Herb Garden
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