Herb gardens are a great way to grow your own herbs that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. Herbs come in a variety of colors, textures and fragrances, so you can customize your garden as per your individual needs. There are four broad classifications of herbs, namely, ornamental, aromatic, culinary and medicinal. Some of the common herbs include rosemary, oregano, cilantro, sage, basil, thyme, etc. while the uncommon ones include hyssop, lemon balm and borage. It is a fun-filled activity to plant herbs and discover interesting uses for them!
We bring you some useful tips and guidelines to plant a beautiful herb garden at home:
1. Main Requirements for the Herb Garden– The main thing important for an herb garden is to put them in the right place. Usually, herbs grow well in areas of full sun where the temperature is not more than 90 degrees in summer. You can also plant them in a place where the plants will get morning sun and afternoon shade.
2. Preparing the Soil – Use a large garden fork to loosen the soil so that water can drain easily and the roots of the plants can reach into the soil. Remember that this is an important step and if you don’t do this properly, you can cause immense damage to the plants. Add compost to your soil from the top and mix it nicely to prevent drainage problems and add a nice fertilizer to your garden.
3. Annual Or Perennial – When you are creating your herb garden or deciding which herbs to grow in containers, you must know whether the herb is annual, biennial or perennial. If you want a continuous fresh supply, annual and biennial herbs like basil, coriander, chervil, parsley and dill grow fast and therefore, must be sown at intervals during the spring and summer. Herbs like sage, rosemary, oregano, thyme, mint and chives are perennial herbs which grow slowly. Thus, they need more permanent homes.
4. General Herb Care – Herbs usually require low maintenance but if you are growing them in containers, they will need regular watering and feeding. If you trim your herbs in spring, it will encourage new, fresh and healthy leaves. Trim the shrubby herbs like thyme and lavender after the flowering to make it easier to remove flowers. During the winter season, it is advised to leave the dead foliage on the plant itself as it provides protection against harsh winters.
5. Protecting Herbs from Insects – Most herbs are pest-resistant naturally but with proper care and by avoiding pesticides, you can keep insects away from your herb garden. Attract good insects that will eat the bad ones, use the companion planting method so that you have beneficial herbs scattered throughout your garden. Remember not to overwater your plants and keep the top soil dry to avoid slugs. You can also use organic sprays to repel bugs and insects.
Plenty of soil, water and light will definitely give you a beautiful and aromatic herb garden at home. With the right care, you can enjoy the herbs and use them for your daily cooking as well. Good luck!
