Growing Herbs In The Garden

If you have been buying herb from the store to use for cooking or just adding to your meals, you should consider growing them in your own garden.  Many of the herbs are easy to grow and don’t require a lot of maintenance.  They can grow with other plants or grown alone.

There are probably hundreds of herbs out there that you can grow on your own.  Herbs are used for medicinal uses, culinary, ornamental, and aroma therapy.  Depending on what you’ll be using it for, find the right one to grow.

As for culinary, some of the favorites among herb gardeners are basil, dill, chives, parsley, spearmint, oregano, and sage.  These are great to be used for cooking or added to any meal to enhance the flavors.

Most types of herbs grow best in well drained soil.  Growing them in wet soil could cause fungus and other diseases to attack the roots and kill them.  To help prevent this problem and to improve drainage, remove the soil to a depth of 14 to 17 inches.  Place a 2-inch layer of crushed stone or something similar on the bottom.  Before filling the hole with soil, add some compost or sphagnum peat and sand for support and better drainage.  Then fill the rest with soil and water the soil down.

Many of the herbs can be harvested throughout the growing season.  For example, the basil can be picked once they start producing leaves.  Pick the leaves at the bottom first.  You’ll want to pick just enough to be used for cooking or adding to a meal.  In a couple weeks, another leaf will replace the one you picked.

Herbs has many fascinating uses and the reason why you should start growing them.  Lavender is great to give a nice smell throughout the whole house, while chives make any meal more delicious.  Start growing herbs in your garden today and you’ll have fresh herbs to use every time.