Introduction
You can enjoy fresh herbs by growing your own. Many herbs can be grown in gardens and in pots. If space is limited herbs can be grown on balconies and in kitchen windows with good light. Fresh herbs enhance cooking dishes and salads, can be used as garnishes, and can be dried for later use.
What are herbs?
Herbs are plants or plant parts that are used for various purposes, including culinary, medicinal, aromatic, and spiritual. Usually the part of the plant used are the leaves. Specifically, an herb is a seed-producing plant that does not develop long-lived woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season, or a plant or plant part used for making medicine and seasonings.
Herbs are often used for their flavorful and aromatic properties in cooking and are typically the leafy green or flowering parts of a plant, either fresh or dried. Additionally, herbs have a wide range of applications, and some are known for their medicinal properties.
Why having an herb garden is beneficial
Professional chefs use fresh herbs when cooking because fresh herbs are generally better than dried herbs. Dried herbs are stronger than fresh herbs because they are concentrated, but store bought dried herbs are packaged and stored for awhile before purchased and can lose some flavor. Sometimes delicate herbs will lose flavor when dried, too.
If you haven’t cooked with fresh herbs or chopped them up to add to your salads, your taste buds are in for a treat!
Benefits of having an herb garden
- Taste and quality: It’s true that you can go to the store and buy fresh packaged herbs. But they don’t last long because the leaves have been cut from the plant. When you have your own herb garden you can pick as-fresh-as-you-can-get herbs. There is no better taste or quality.
- Save money: The volume of herbs cultivated from one seed or small bought plant saves money from buying store bought fresh herbs.
- Health benefits: Not only are fresh herbs healthy there are other benefits, too! It is relaxing and a stress reliever to work in the garden. It improves physical coordination and mood.
- Environmental improvement: Herbs are beneficial in the eco-system. Some herbs help beneficial insects, bees and butterflies. While others deter harmful insects.
- Fun and enjoyment: It’s enjoyable to grow, pick and use your own herbs! And you will probably have enough to share with your friends, neighbors, and family.
Planning
Planning an herb garden involves several key steps to ensure that you choose the right location, select the right herbs, and prepare the soil properly. Here are the steps to plan an herb garden:
- Choose the right location: Most herbs require plenty of sunshine, so choose a location that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Additionally, choose a location that is easily accessible for watering, pruning, and harvesting.
- Decide on the type of herbs: Determine which herbs you want to grow based on their intended use, such as cooking or medicinal purposes. Consider the climate and soil conditions in your area to ensure that the herbs you choose will thrive.
- Choose appropriate containers: If you plan to grow your herbs in containers, choose containers that are the appropriate size and depth for the type of herb you are growing. Make sure that the containers have drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom.
- Prepare the soil: Herbs require well-draining soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.5. Test the soil and amend it as needed with compost or other organic matter to improve the soil structure and fertility.
- Determine the layout: Consider the size and shape of your garden and decide on the layout. You can choose to plant your herbs in rows, in a circular or square pattern, or in a more naturalistic, random arrangement.
- Plan for companion planting: Some herbs grow well together and can benefit from being planted in close proximity. Research companion planting to determine which herbs thrive when planted together.
- Consider the height of the herbs: When planning the layout, consider the height of each herb and make sure that taller herbs do not shade out shorter herbs.
- Plan for water and irrigation: Determine how you will water your herb garden and plan for irrigation if necessary. Consider using drip irrigation or a soaker hose to conserve water and deliver water directly to the roots.
By following these steps, you can successfully plan an herb garden that will provide you with fresh, flavorful herbs for cooking, medicinal purposes, and more.
