Herbs are a great way to add flavor to your food. You can serve the same meat and vegetables night after night without complaint. Just spice things up with your own herb and spice blends. They also have many other benefits. Not only do they taste great, but they can also be used for medicinal purposes, aromatherapy, and more. An herb garden is a great way to get started in growing your own food and self-sufficiency.
If you’re interested in starting your own herb garden, then you’re in luck! This blog post will give you 5 tips on getting started.
1) Choose the right location
The number one rule when it comes to herb gardening is to pick a spot that gets plenty of sunshine and good air circulation. Herbs need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day in order to thrive, so be sure to choose your spot wisely! In addition, you’ll want to make sure your herb garden is in a spot that won’t be affected by too much water or wind, as these can both negatively affect the herbs. Lastly, it may help to consider the benefits of portable grow rooms if your garden doesn’t have an optimal spot for your herbs to grow.
2) Select the right plants
Once you’ve picked out the perfect spot for your herb garden, it’s time to select which herbs you’d like to grow. You should consider what type of flavor profile you’re looking for and how often you will use them in cooking. Some common choices are rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano, parsley, chives, cilantro, sage, and lavender. Additionally, you can also add some edible flowers for a little extra color in your garden! Borage is currently my favorite.
3) Give them the right soil and fertilizer
Herbs need well-draining, nutrient-rich soil to thrive. You’ll want to use a high quality potting mix that is specially formulated for herbs. Additionally, it’s important to fertilize your plants regularly with an organic fertilizer such as compost or worm castings. This will ensure that they get all the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong!
4) Water appropriately
Watering your herb garden correctly is key to ensuring its success. Herbs should be watered deeply but infrequently – you don’t want to overwater them or let them sit in soggy soil. You should also water your herbs in the morning so that the moisture has time to soak into the soil and evaporate off before nightfall.
If you live in an area with hot and dry weather, then you may need to water your plants more often. When in doubt, stick your finger into the soil – if it feels dry about an inch down, then it’s time to give your herbs a drink! There are a few herb plants that prefer to not be kept too moist. We usually keep these planted near each other to make it easier to keep track of their water needs.
5) Harvest and store correctly
When it comes time to harvest your herbs, be sure to do so correctly. You should avoid harvesting too much at once as this can weaken the plant and reduce its growth. Additionally, make sure you are harvesting the right parts of the plant – for instance, basil leaves should be picked from the top while parsley leaves should be snipped near their base.
If you will be keeping your harvest for use year-round, dehydrating your herbs is a good method. Be sure to set the temperature of your dehydrator to the appropriate setting and don’t let them dry too long. You can also dehydrate without electricity – it’s been done for centuries. Other preservation methods include freezing and infusing. Choose the method with your end use in mind.
Now that you’ve got these basic tips down, you’re ready to get started on your own herb garden! With a little bit of effort and care, it can become a beautiful addition to your backyard, as well as companion plants for your vegetables. Plan and plant the best source of fresh herbs for all your cooking and medicinal needs.