HERB GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS
Herbs have been around since time immemorial and served different
kinds of purposes. They have been used to treat illness and flavour
cooking;
they were even believed to have magical powers. Do you want to have
your own herb garden? Here are a few ideas on how to establish an
herb garden.
Plan your garden.
Consider the herbs you want to plant. Think about their types. Would
you like annuals, biennials or perennials?
How much space will they occupy in your garden? If you want, you can
purchase a book that can give you the right information on what
specific plants you are planning to grow.
List or draw your garden on paper first. Separate the annuals from
the perennials so when the time comes that you have to pull out the
annuals, you won't be disturbing the perennials.
Perennials can be planted on the edge of your garden so when it is time to
till your garden they won't be in danger of getting dug up.
Another thing to remember is that you have to plant the tall ones at
the back and the shorter ones in front. Also, provide your plants
with enough space to grow. Proper position shall help you in this
area.
If you would rather keep herbs out of your garden (and some are
quite invasive) you could have herb pots. These are large containers
with three or more outlets for the herbs. Fill the pot up to the
first outlet and plant it before continuing on with the filling and
planting process.
Usually, the herb that requires the most water is planted in the
bottom hole, while the variety that requires the least, goes in the
highest hole.
Some Design Ideas
You can consider having a square herb bed. You can have your square
bed divided into four by two paths crossing at mid point measuring 3
feet. You can border it with stone or brick. A wooden ladder may
also do the trick.
You can lay it down on your garden and plant your herbs between its
rungs. You can also choose to have a wagon wheel bed. Planting here
is like planting with the wooden ladders. Plant your herbs in
between the wagon wheel's wedges.
Get Your Plants Growing
Of course, different plants have different needs, but many of them
require alkaline soil. This is the reason why you have to determine
the herbs you want to plant in the planning stage. This can more or
less help you find out how you should care for your plants.
If you germinate your herbs from seeds, remember to follow the directions
on the packet for soil, watering and temperature.
Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow. You just have to
provide them with an effective drainage, sunlight, enough humidity
or moisture and fertile soil. Even with just minimally meeting these
requirements they will be bound produce a good harvest.