Herbs aren’t just decorative; they’re useful as well making them an important addition to any backyard. Since ancient times they’ve been used as drugs and as food. But they also have beneficial effects on our humble gardens, especially in the vegetable garden, acting as deterrents to dangerous insects and bringing useful ones. If you wish to grow herbs in your garden it is not hard. You may either intersperse them with other plants in a border, developed them in pots, or create a special area devoted to growing them. Or you could do all three. Here are some handy tips.
Planning a herb garden
As there are a wealth of different kinds of herbs you can grow, it may be a great idea to decide what you want to use them for. If you’re a budding cook then you may prefer to grow mostly culinary herbs. Or alternatively you may want to try your hand at developing a couple of simple herbal remedies or beauty treatments and so must grow the correct sorts of crops for this purpose.
The next crucial step is to determine where to plant your herbs. If you wish to plant predominantly culinary herbs, then it’s common sense to set your herb garden close to the kitchen door where your plants will be easily available to you once you’re cooking (nobody wants to have to go to the peak of the garden for herbs when it is raining)! Most herbs originate from warmer climates are favor sunny well-drained soil, although most are amazingly adaptable. Like any new planting strategy, it’s necessary to prepare the ground well before planting your herbs. Most herbs prefer a soil that’s fairly neutral. But it is going to have to retain some moisture throughout the growing season, so ensure to dig in lots of well-rotted manure or garden compost to improve the soil condition and drainage.
The next step is to choose the manner of your herb garden. Formal herb gardens are based on geometrical patterns and usually have a certain symmetry and neatness. Informal herb gardens may seem like a free for everybody but there’s usually some type of order and planning gone into them. As an example, which ever style you choose, be certain your plants are available and easy to harvest. Paths are a fantastic idea and imply that you could get to the plant that you need without trampling on others on your way. Just like any other planting scheme, be certain that the smaller plants are in the front and bigger ones in the back. Whatever style you choose, it could also be great to add a focal point like a statue or garden planter at the middle of the mattress to add interest.
The culinary herb garden
The selection of herbs used in cooking is endless, so do some homework and consider those you may find most useful in complementing the cooking that you do at home. Here are some traditional favourites. Chives are easy to grow and may be utilised in both cooking and salads. Try the blossoms in a salad – cosmetic and delicious! Sweet marjoram and oregano are great in tomato and meat dishes and the major ingredient in bouquet garni. Mints are a priceless herb. Try ginger and Moroccan mint. Apple mint is very good with fresh potatoes. If you’re growing mint it may be a great idea to plant it in the ground in a pot, as mint can be a bully and will take over. A focal point to your garden might be a normal bay tree. Use the leaves in stews and meat dishes. However, your bay may require some protection from frost in winter. There are hundreds of varieties of sage, but officinalis is perfect for cooking. Thyme is great with fish also makes great stuffing for chicken. It’s best grown over stones or between paving stones. Parsley is a biennial and can be tough to grow. However, I have an assortment of flat-leaved parsley in my herb garden which seems to think it is a perennial! Rosemary is also easy to grow but can become a little woody with age. Other culinary herbs you may want to include are dill, fennel, garlic and tarragon.
The medicinal herb garden
Herbs frequently have a dual purpose and may be utilised in both cooking and medicines. Here are a few you may like to grow. Meadowsweet is a traditional treatment for acidic stomach. Valerian is a sedative and may be used for headaches and mild insomnia. Chamomile is a beautiful herb used as a tea for its calming effect. Pot marigolds not only look fantastic but have antiseptic and antibacterial properties used to promote recovery. Rosemary additionally has antibacterial properties and smells delicious. Try tying a whole lot over your tub faucet while the water is running for a relaxing bath. Peppermint is terrific for the digestion in addition to providing an uplifting odor as you brush past. Feverfew is quite easy to grow and an extract of its leaves helps with headaches.
Herbs in containers
Most herbs do well in garden planters. Those you may want to include are mints that could be bullies in the herb garden but easily managed in a container and really like being pot bound. Less hardy herbs like basil and coriander are improved in pots and treated as annuals. Ornamental herbs like standard bays look great in containers too. You may also like to make a smaller herb garden in an old Belfast sink with dwarf varieties of lavender, thyme and mints.
