| Fresh Herb Gardening |
| Written by Yilmaz Cesur | |
| Saturday, 06 November 2010 | |
|
The benefits of fresh herb gardening are numerous beginning with the fact you can enjoy homegrown herbs right from the garden, which inarguably, will have even more delicious aromas and tastes than any found at the local grocery stores. Speaking of which, you'll also be able to save money when it comes to cooking since you won't have to buy your herbs anymore. And, as if all of this weren't enough, fresh herb gardening also gives you a wonderful pastime to enjoy, taking you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life while getting exercise and getting in touch with nature.
The benefits of fresh herb gardening are numerous beginning with the fact you can enjoy homegrown herbs right from the garden, which inarguably, will have even more delicious aromas and tastes than any found at the local grocery stores. Speaking of which, you'll also be able to save money when it comes to cooking since you won't have to buy your herbs anymore. And, as if all of this weren't enough, fresh herb gardening also gives you a wonderful pastime to enjoy, taking you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life while getting exercise and getting in touch with nature. Fresh Herb Container Gardening Fortunately those of us without a lot of outdoor ground space can also experience the joys of fresh herb gardening by using containers. Even if you live in a high rise or apartment and have no outdoor space at all you can still enjoy the benefits and relaxation gardening provides. There are many container types available in stores and sites today, from plastic and wood to ceramic and terracotta, that there is bound to be one container that answers your needs in terms of size, shape and style. Just remember that when choosing from among these container types, good drainage is one of the keys to successful herb gardening, the other two being sunlight and moisture. As long as there's plenty of sunlight, you can place your herb garden just about anywhere. Besides sunny spots in the front or backyards, consider using containers on the patio, the deck, or on windowsills. Containers are easy to move in the case of cold or rain and can be quickly rearranged for aesthetic purposes. Mixed Herbs Fresh herb gardening also gives you the chance to grow a wide variety of plants all in one place. With just one container or one section of land you can have many different aromas, colors, textures, and flavors, allowing you to mix and match as you like. Just remember to separate mint from other herbs as this fast growing plant tends to overpower the other herbs nearby. For the most functional mixes, plant like herbs together in terms of their use or purpose. For example, if you're planting culinary herbs, use those that would be combined together in similar recipes, like spaghetti or other pasta dishes. Here are some of the most often used combinations that you'll often find packaged together in kits at home and garden centers, greenhouses, or nurseries: * Italian cuisine - Sweet basil, oregano, marjoram, thyme and Italian parsley * For French cuisine plant chervil, chives, parsley, sage, and tarragon * Perfume pot - Lemon balm, lemon thyme, lavender and pineapple sage * Salad bowl - Parsley, celery, salad burnet, rocket and garlic chives Just choose which one suits your purposes best. Or better yet, have one of each to enjoy their unique benefits. Tips for Success If you're just starting to dabble in fresh herb gardening, remember these helpful hints to ensure your first foray in the interesting world of nature is a successful one. Always keep your herbs pruned to allow for better growth before transferring to larger containers, or, thin your crops regularly so that containers or plots aren't overcrowded. Also, try to extend their lives by feeding with liquid plant food albeit at half the strength for regular plants. Fourth, never over water the herbs since it can result in soggy roots. Instead, regularly check to make sure that the topmost soil is just damp, neither soggy nor bone dry. Fifth, just cut down the herbs when you see evidence of aphids and red spiders. Keeping all of these helpful hints in mind you should be able to enjoy a full menu of delicious foods whenever you like, not to mention the heady aromas coming from your fresh herb garden. The Article Author: Looking to find the best deal on Fresh Herb Gardening, then visit Yilmaz Cesur's site to find the best advice via his Free Herb Garden eCourse for you. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
