A Brief Overview of Herb Gardening

The growing and use of herbs dates back to the time of the pharaohs and the ancient Chinese. There are references in the Bible and medieval documents that herbs have been used by people of many different cultures. Having your own herb garden has many benefits such as to boost the flavor of food for potpourri or for tea and for medical use and even to help control and manage destructive insects. Herbs may be growing in a garden of their own or mixed in with your vegetable garden or just simply grown in containers indoors. Usually the space needed for a small family to have an herb garden would be 4’ x 6’ this is usually enough space to grow your fresh herbs.



Most people use herbs for cooking or for use fresh with salads these are identified as culinary herbs. Many herbs are grown for their fragrant scent and for their beautiful flowers. Herbs may be used fresh picked or dried. Some of herbs are used for garnish or for fresh salads while others are used to enhance the flavor of cooked dishes.



Like other varieties of plants herbs are divided into different groups annual‘s, biennial, and perennials, some grow as shrubs and a few as trees. When planting herbs just as well as many other plants well-drained soil is preferred if you discover that your soil is heavy or compacted, clay like you’ll want to add and incorporate organic material into the soil to enhance its condition and drainage. Fertilizers are generally not needed for herbs, natural and organic soil amendments are all that’s needed. Most herbs prefer a sunny location although a small number like partial or full shade. Many herbs will do just fine in partial shade. It’s amazing that only a few diseases and harmful bugs like herbs. In very dry and hot climates red spider mites may attack low growing herb vegetation, aphids the pesky bug they are like to attach themselves to dill, Caraway, fennel, anise. Mints are also susceptible rust disease. You can start your herbs from seed or you can buy plants all ready growing and may be transplanted into your herb garden at home. If you start your herbs from seed you’ll have the satisfaction of seeing your plant mature from beginning to harvest. Just about any herb can be started from seed. Seeds may be started in just about any type of container a small tray shall pot or perhaps even a box in late winter or spring for others. You must have properly drained soil to start your seeds in. Most herbs do not have a very deep root system so be careful not to put too much dirt on top of them, the general rule is the finer the seed the shallower it needs to be. You’ll be able to transplant your seedlings as soon as the chance of frost is gone. There are a few herbs that do not like transplanting here are a few, dill, fennel, coriander, anise, these kinds of herbs and some others need to be seeded directly into the garden. Having a backyard herb garden may seem pretty straightforward but there is plenty of information that you should know and understand about herbs. This article is to give a general overview to help you get started. Good luck in your herb garden!



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