Organic Gardening with Herbs

Because of the substances that create their aromas, they are rarely bothered by insects. Diseases are also rare and usually can be managed by the use of organic, non-chemical control. Most herbs are so easy-going they can adapt to most soils except the most extreme conditions. Sun and well-drained soil are the basics for most herbs.

Growing Herbs in Containers

Herbs can flourish in containers as well as planted in the garden. If you cook with herbs you will want them near your kitchen. In an 18 inch window box a gardener can easily plant 4-6 new starter herbs.

Basil, bay, chives, dill, parsley, sage, thyme and lemon verbena can also be grown indoors as long as they receive as much light as possible, maybe near a south-facing window.

Herbs can also be placed in small pots on a windowsill with waterproof trays underneath the pots. If you’re growing herbs in a window box on the outside, in a sunny location, be sure to water once a day in the summer heat. The roots have little insulating soil to protect them from the summer sun.

Growing Herbs in Raised Beds

Raised beds not only offer better soil and drainage but they also add height which garners attention and admiration from visitors to the yard. (Another thing gardeners live for!) Some simple favorites that easily grow tall, full and flower frequently are rosemary, lavender, lemon thyme, scented geranium, borage, lemon balm, valerian and fennel. If you’re growing herbs for culinary purposes you’d rather they don’t bloom and can deadhead flowers to work toward a stronger taste and fragrance in the leaves instead.

Most herbs require sun to prosper but there are a few herbs that will survive in light shade or shade. Angelica, chervil, ginseng, lungwort, sweet woodruff, tarragon, comfrey and elderberry can be happy planted in areas receiving less sunlight.

Certain herbs like chamomile or creeping varieties of thyme, grow successfully as a low growing groundcover which weaves together quickly into a dense small lawn that can stand light foot traffic.

Certain herbs, including creeping thyme can be divided into dozens of new plants by division. Creeping thyme is a fast grower and can give the gardener many good-sized plants in only a few short weeks. Spring is the best time to divide. Dividing clumps with a shovel is the best way to propagate plants.

Propagating Herbs

Some herbs can be propagated by cuttings. This can be achieved in the spring or summer. This will allow plants to put out strong roots by winter. Always use a sharp knife, slicing off a stem about 4-6 inches long, including at least three sets of leaf nodes (the bumps). Strip the leaves from the bottom 2-3 inches, leaving the top leaves. Cover the bare part in soil, with or without a rooting hormone. Water consistently keeping moist but not wet till new leaves appear and then water at least once a week. Some of the best herbs for cuttings are: basil, beebalm, lemon verbena, mints, rosemary, salvias, scented geraniums and artemisia.

A Word about Mint

When growing mint, plant in pot instead of directly into the ground as mint can be invasive for years and may take over your entire Zip Code. It’s worth growing a pot of mint since it grows like a weed and tastes spectacular in summer Mojito!