Choose Type Of Herb Garden
An organized herb garden on paper, means a better garden in the ground. Start by listing all of the herbs that you are interested in growing. Don't worry about zones or where you will find each herb, just make a quick list of your favorites. Do you want to have plenty for the kitchen? Are you trying to hide a less than beautiful section of your yard, and need something bright and colorful? How about being able to make your own salves and tinctures?
Although there is plenty of crossover, herbs generally fall into three categories:- Culinary Herbs
- Medicinal Herbs
- Ornamental Herbs
Choose Your Herb Garden Location
Now you have your list of herbs that you want to grow. The next step is choosing the location. Many herbs are perennials, and once planted, will need room to expand. Many herbs are very forgiving and will grow in a range of lighting, from shade to full sun. Something I like to do is list the herbs into categories by light and moisture needs, and THEN choose the location to plant them in. A nice mix of perennial and annual herbs in the same bed, will keep things interesting from year to year.
Choose Your Herb Garden Design
You have chosen your herbs and location for planting, now it is time to choose your design. Even the most natural looking herb gardens, have some sort of theme. Often, I find that my beds end up having a theme that sort of works out as the season progresses. Here are some herb garden themes to get your creative juices started.
Choosing To Grow Herbs From Seeds Or Plants
No matter what size and type of herb garden you have chosen to grow, some of the herbs can and should be grown from seed and others from plants. Quick growing herbs can be planted in succession, that is, planted in stages, so they can be harvested for a longer period of time. If you grow you own herbs from seed, you can control just when they will be available. This is important if you need new seedlings after the stores stop carrying them.
Growing herbs from seed can be less expensive as well. You can purchase a packet of seeds for less than the cost of one single plant. I stick with annuals like basil and cilantro for seeds, then choose plants for my perennials and hard to germinate herbs, like rosemary.
Herb Garden Care
Planning and planting an herb garden is only part of the puzzle. Tending to the garden is a large part of the enjoyment. There is nothing more soothing than the sights and smells of working in the herb garden. It is a place of solace, even if only a small pot on the back porch. Just running your hands over the plants to release their fragrance, can be a moment of peace during a busy day.
After you put all the hard work into getting the herbs into the ground, now is the time to keep them looking their best. It is true that herbs are hardy and require much less care than other types of gardens, this doesn't mean that they can be ignored. One thing that makes herbs look their best is keeping them trimmed. Keeping track of fertilization and watering, are also important. Many times, herbs are grown in pots and require more frequent watering than a plant in the ground. They are not being fussy, they just live in a more controlled environment. Keep a schedule of your garden tasks, and soon it will seem effortless.
Enjoying Your Herb Garden
What is an herb garden, if you don't enjoy it! The harvest is just part of the fun! While you are trimming and pruning your herb plants, you are harvesting them, so don't think that you are only able to cut them once and they are done. It is so fun to trim what needs to be nipped off, then go into the house and use those bits in that night's dinner. Delicious!
