What is Your Reason for Growing Garden Herbs
Posted: Saturday, January 16, 2010
by Sarah Phillips
HerbGardeningCentral.com
Because of the variety of herbs available there almost as many different reasons for growing garden herbs. Many love having a kitchen windowsill garden of culinary herbs ready for the picking. Aromatherapy is popular and the fragrant herbs create lovely treats for the nose.
To get out of your garden these wonderful blessings a little TLC must be given first. Take care to give your tender friends the right nourishment from the beginning and they will give back to you many fold.
Because herbs have a shallow root system there is no need to create a deep bed. Create a foundation for your soil-bed with a layer of gravel. Water can drain quickly away from the plants into the gravel.
Mix your own soil for the best results. Optimally, it should be low in nutrients, be well-drained while retaining enough moisture to stay damp.
Your soil recipe is equal parts potting soil, clean sand, and dirt. Use the dirt you have removed from the soil bed. Add to this one tablespoon of agricultural lime per square foot of growing space to give your herbs the slightly alkaline soil they love. Next, fill in your bed with this mixture leaving about two inches at the top for planting.
While some herbs, like parsley, require germination before planting most can be planted from seed. Sprinkle your seed across the top of the soil mixture and cover lightly (do not compact the soil) and then water. After watering the soil should be damp to the touch but not wet. Make this test each time before watering to ensure the best amount.
Although the light availability should have been checked while planning the garden, check the light again after planting. Some herbs love direct sun while others prefer semi-shaded. As I like to say, "Know thy herb."
Should additional shade, from the noon sun, be needed sunscreens can be purchased from local garden centers and big-box home improvement stores.
Proper planning and preparation is time well spent when you watch your herb garden thrive. This should give you a well deserved sense of satisfaction.
Sarah Phillips is an herb gardening enthusiast, and enjoys helping others get started in this wonderful hobby.
To uncover more tips about how to easily begin growing garden herbs click here.
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