Before you begin growing your own herbs, it is important to consider what herbs you currently use. Many people use herbs in cooking such as basil, oregano, sage, rosemary, etc. Another way we frequently incorporate herbs into our daily life is through potpourris, herbal wreaths and essential oils. You will want to begin your garden by choosing the herbs you are already using. Having fresh herbs that you already know how to put to good use will make the process of learning to grow your own herbs easier.
Table of Contents
You may also want to consider whether the herb is an annual or a perennial when choosing herbs for your garden. Annuals only last one year. Perennial plants come back every year eliminating the need to repurchase the plants. Some experienced gardeners collect the seeds from the annual blooms each year to plant the next spring.
Another consideration when choosing herbs for your garden is the USDA Hardiness zone where you live. You will need to find out what herbs grow in your zone. Often you can look at the back of a seed package to find out where the herb will grow. If you are buying live plants from a nearby nursery it will eliminate the guesswork, because they will not sell herbs that do not grow in your zone. You can also look around your area and see what herbs grow well for your neighbors!
If you are new to herb gardening, you will probably want to choose herbs that are considered easy to grow. Some of the easiest herbs to grow are: Anise, basil, bee balm, betony, borage, calendula, catnip, chamomile, chives, comfrey, dill, feverfew, lavender, lemon balm, lovage, peppermint, sage, spearmint, nasturtium, pennyroyal, violet and yarrow. Some herbs such as peppermint and spearmint can grow so well that they are considered invasive. Invasive herbs should be planted in enclosed beds or pots to prevent them from taking over other herbs in the garden.
The location of your herb garden will also determine what kinds of herbs you plant. If your herb garden is in full sun, such as the south side of a house, you will want to choose herbs that do well in full sun. Herbs planted on the east and west sides of houses, trees and buildings often receive partial sun and shade. Herbs planted on the north side of a house, tree or building will receive a lot of shade and only shade tolerant plants will do well in this type of garden.
The size and color of the herbs you have chosen will determine where you place the herbs in your herb garden. The larger herbs, or herbs that have the potential to grow the tallest, should always be planted toward the back of the garden to ensure they are visible and not being covered up by other plants. The information about what height the herb will grow to is on the back of seed packages, or on the plastic stake that comes with live herbs. A nice mixture of colors throughout the herb garden will also add to the visual appeal. Mix dark and light greens and consider the color of the herbal blooms when selecting the right herb.
When starting any type of garden it is a good idea to have the fertility of your soil tested. Adding some compost to the herb garden before planting is a wonderful way to fertilize the soil organically.
How to Make Natural Herbal Medicine at Home
Most homeowners have probably spent hours looking at the different types of garden seeders. You may have even come across…
When it comes to vehicle lovers, cleaning their cars on a regular basis is essential to maintaining the paint job's…
Gas chainsaws are the perfect tool for a variety of outdoor tasks, including chopping up logs for firewood, clearing brush…
A home can be a daunting project, one that takes some time and energy to maintain. With hard work, determination,…
Today ginger is grown all over tropical and subtropical regions in Asia, in parts of Africa and South America, and…
Onions are one of the most popular vegetables in the world, and growing onions is a snap in the home…