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[D191]Design A Herb Garden

by Paul Courtney, Pau

No matter where you live in the world most cultures like to use herbs in their cooking to provide the flavours and aroma that we have all come to love. With the enormous spread in popularity of Gourmet Cooking shows on television we are encouraged to expand our culinary tastes to include dishes from all over the world . As most professional chefs prefer to use fresh herbs in their cooking why should we not follow in their steps and grow our own basic herb garden at home.

It is quite easy to put in a basic herb garden to grow the ones used the most. Most of the common herbs used as spices in cooking can be successfully grown in average soil but some do request rich soil, such as oregano.

Additionally, some herbs in a basic herb garden such as parsley are biennial in nature. This means the first year they are grown they will not be useful for seasoning. It is during the second year that the crop can be used. Ideally, with parsley, , plant a new crop of seeds one year after planting your first parsley plants so that in a couple of years they will overlap, providing u sable seasoning every year.

Most of the herbs grown in a basic herb garden such as, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano and basil are tolerant of direct sun, but will require a minimum amount of water to survive. You can harvest leaves, sprigs and twigs from any of your herbs as they are growing giving fresh organic herbs for your kitchen.

However, some plants like thyme is a very forgiving plant and if it dries out will likely come back when an appropriate amount of water is given. Since some have different soil requirements and can grow under slightly different conditions, having them separated by variety can help get them started and keep them growing throughout their life.

Plant Herbs Close To Where They Will Be Used

In most cases it is easier on the grower to plant the basic herb garden close to the kitchen for easy harvesting of the fresh crop. Remember, the entire growth does not have to be cut and used at once. With the right care, the spices will continue to grow and be usable during the entire season. Drying or freezing the extra cuttings at the end of the season can possibly supply the spice throughout the winter, often lasting until the next crop produces the following year.

If you are little short on space why not consider companion growing? When planting a basic herb garden that would take more room than available, certain herbs can be planted among other plants, especially tomatoes. Parsley can play well with other plants specifically tomatoes, asparagus and among roses. Broccoli and cauliflower also welcome rosemary in their midst. Basil also likes to grow alongside tomatoes too.

The only problem with planting herbs among other plants is that they can be mistaken and trampled on inadvertently when weeding, pruning and maintaining the other plants in your mixed garden bed. A basic herb garden is a valuable addition to your kitchen supplies and really wont take to much of your valuable time to look after.

There are a few things that you will plan for your basic herb garden.

What type?

You will need to decide what type of basic herb garden you want. Do you want the smaller container type herb garden or something larger, like a kitchen garden or a yard herb garden.

From seeds or existing plants?

Once you have decided the type of garden that you want to build you will need to decide if you want to create your garden from seeds or from existing plants (or green cuttings of plants you have got from friends or family) that you will transplant.

Supplies

There are a few supplies that you are going to need for your herb garden. This list includes all the supplies necessary for both gardens. Some of the supplies are going to be the same so the list is together for the purpose of being brief.

The items you will need are:

1. Quality Soil,

2. Fertilizer

3. Seeds or herb plants(or cuttings)

4. Suitable containers, and a spade.

Simple Instructions

If you are using containers to create your herb garden, prepare the container by the soil by dampening it.

Then add the fertilizer to create the best growing environment. Depending on the type of soil you get want to dampen it the soil down before adding your plants.

If you are using seeds follow the planting instructions on the packet. If you are using already established plants, follow replanting instructions.

If you are using cuttings, which are small pieces of plants, you got from friends or family, then they can provide advice on best how best to get the plants started.

There are many web sites online, which could also provide help in this area

For kitchen gardens follow these steps:

1. Weed and till the area to break up the soil while removing any large objects such as rocks.

2. Add in the top soil and fertilizer

3. Plant the seeds or transplant following the same as above instructions.

4. Make sure that you know the lighting needs of your herbs and place them in areas that receive the right amount of light to ensure proper growth.

To get your basic herb garden growing as best it can, it needs quality soil, regular watering and tending. This applies to both the indoor type and the outside yard type. The basic herb garden is easy to grow and can provide you and your family with regular fresh herbs, which you can use on a daily basis for cooking and medical cures.

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About Author

Both Paul Courtney & Peter De Vizard are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Paul Courtney has sinced written about articles on various topics from Alcohol Treatment, Alternative Medicine and Hair Care. . Paul Courtney's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.

Peter De Vizard has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Information Technology and Hearing Aids. Would you like the easy steps on having your own Herb Garden? This is only one of many free articles How to have your own from. Peter De Vizard's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.