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What are the Best Tips for Herb Gardening?
The best tips for herb gardening involve careful planning and consistent care. Instead of selecting herbs on a whim, take the time to make selections that will work well together. Pay attention to the needs of various herbs and provide them with the best soil, fertilizer, and location possible.
The best soil for most herbs is a blend of sand, silt, and clay along with some organic matter. Regularly add compost to your herbs and avoid the use of harsh pesticides. This will result in a healthy crop that also has the benefit of being organically grown.
Herb gardening requires very little space and even a small plant will provide ample seasoning for a family’s meals. You can grow herbs in containers or a garden. Most herbs can be grown both indoors and outdoors. If your herb gardening is taking place indoors, make sure that you have a sunny windowsill in which to place them with several hours of direct sunlight each day. If this isn’t available, use a grow light to supplement the natural sunlight available.
If your herbs are grown in a container, make sure that there are drainage holes in the bottom to keep the soil from becoming too wet. Water the plants regularly to keep the soil moist. Herbs grown outdoors should be placed in an area with well draining soil. Keep a layer of compost on top of the soil to improve drainage.
Utilize companion planting in your herb gardening to enhance the growth of both your herbs and other vegetables you may have in your garden. Basil can help improve the flavor of tomatoes when grown nearby. Rosemary and sage will deter pests from carrots and cabbage.
If you’re a novice gardener, purchase sprouts from a nursery rather than trying to sprout seeds yourself. If you’re a pro at starting seeds, you can start the herbs yourself in peat pots indoors. Wait five to ten weeks before transplanting your herbs into a garden or larger container garden.
Once you have established an herb garden, provide regular watering and pruning to keep the plants healthy. Avoid pruning just before winter hits to keep your herbs alive through this cold season. Protect the plants in winter by mulching to keep the roots warm. Bring more delicate herbs indoors for the winter and keep them in a container garden near a window or under grow lights.
AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
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![Sprigs of rosemary and sage.]()
By: marilyn barboneSprigs of rosemary and sage. -
![Many people grow their own basil.]()
By: Barbara PhebyMany people grow their own basil. -
![A potted basil plant.]()
By: NatikaA potted basil plant. -
![Most herb gardens need good soil with plenty of organic matter.]()
By: kornienkoMost herb gardens need good soil with plenty of organic matter.
Discussion Comments
I was recently introduced to the herb, tarragon and I love it! It has a very light, fresh, almost licorice type smell. I have used it in chicken dishes and I can't believe how much better they taste!
This has made me want to plant my own herb garden indoors so that I can have fresh herbs all year long. Once I began using a few more herbs in my cooking, I never realized what great flavor I had been missing out on. It is fun to try a different combination of herbs for specialized taste!
@LisaLou - Yes, there are so many wonderful herbs to grow and I think that a windowsill herb garden is a great way to get started. You will find yourself using herbs much more often than you ever did before. They can bring fresh flavor to almost any dish you make.
I also grow several herbs outside in my vegetable garden. I usually will plant basil next to my tomatoes. Not only can it help improve the taste of your tomatoes, but also helps keep the aphids away. It is a great way to control pests in your garden naturally and have fresh tasting vegetables at the same time.
There is nothing quite like picking your own fresh herbs to use in cooking or even for some home remedies. I keep a small kitchen herb garden on a shelf above my sink. This shelf faces the east, so gets plenty of direct sunshine.
One thing to think about before planting an indoor herb garden is how tall and wide the herbs will be when they are fully grown. Many herbs can become quite large and take up too much space for an indoor garden.
My favorite herb to grow indoors is thyme. It is easy to grow inside and does not get too big or out of control. I love being able to pinch off a few pieces of fresh thyme to add to chicken!
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