WhenYouGarden.com Series: Article 11 – Grow Your Own Herbs
Growing Your Own Herb Garden
Professional chefs worldwide love to pinch off some fresh herbs when cooking. The fragrant herbs fresh off the stem adds a unique taste to any dish. Wouldn’t you love to be able to do the same?
Herb gardens do not need to be elaborate or large, and most are grown in containers. Let’s take a look at what it takes to have an herb garden!
Herbs: Uses and Medicinal Benefits
We have listed a few herbs along with their uses and the health benefits each has. Little does one realize that what may enhance the food we eat, also has added health benefits!
Basil Characteristics:
Cooking:
Medicinal Benefits:
|
Parsley Characteristics:
Cooking:
Medicinal Benefits:
|
Mint Characteristics:
Cooking:
Medicinal Benefits:
|
Cilantro (aka coriander) Characteristics:
Cooking:
Medicinal Benefits:
|
Rosemary Characteristics:
Cooking:
Medicinal Benefits:
|
Sage Characteristics:
Cooking:
Medicinal Benefits:
|
Lavender Characteristics:
Cooking:
Medicinal Benefits:
|
Dill Characteristics:
Cooking:
Medicinal Benefits:
|
Oregano Characteristics:
Cooking:
Medicinal Benefits:
|
Growing Herbs
Herb gardens are one of the easiest gardens to manage because they are usually small and easily accessible from your back door. Some choose to grow their herbs indoors.
If you decide you want to start your herb plants from seeds, plan ahead accordingly in getting your seedlings going to get them, transplanted at the ideal time. For more information on indoor seeding, see Article 9 in our series.
Prepare Your Soil
Be sure that your soil is ready for your plants and that the necessary fertilizers and compost is worked in.
Planting Guidelines
Each herb plant will easily take up to 4 feet of space in diameter. Be careful not to overcrowd your plants and to space them out.
Rosemary, Mint, Oregano, Sage
|
Basil, Thyme, Tarragon
|
Cilantro, Chives, Dill, Parsley, Lavender
|
Picking (Harvesting) Your Herbs
Once your plants have reach 8” tall, you can safely cut ⅓ of the stems / branches off. Cut closely to the intersection of the leaf. Your plant will regrow what you cut off.
Your freshly cut herbs will last up to a week in the refrigerator.
Care and Maintenance of Your Herb Garden
Daily care should be given to your herb plants in watering (especially for new plants) as well as monitoring for pests.
Placing mulch around the plants will help to retain moisture and cut down on weed growth.
Let’s “Shovel On!”
Join us now as we continue on to our next article in this series!
Next: “Drying Your Own Flowers & Herbs.”