Getting Started With Your Very Own Herb Garden

Herbs have a long history of use in many ancient cultures, such as Egypt and China. Herbs are referred to in the Bible and many medieval documents indicate that herbs were used by most families.  Herbs are grown for many purposes, not just for flavouring foods and making teas.  Potpourris are made from herbs as well as medicines and pest repellants.  The herbs a gardener chooses can fulfill many of these purposes or be grown for one single purpose.  Herbs are compatible with other plants both indoors and out.

A variety of methods for growing herbs may be chosen.  Many people enjoy growing their herbs indoors in the kitchen where they will make use of them for culinary purposes. A small plot of about four by six feet outdoors will grow an abundance of herbs for a small family.  In addition to being grown for cooking, herbs are appreciated for their fragrant foliage and beautiful flowers.  Herbs are useful both fresh and dried.  You may see fresh herbs garnishing a plate, accenting a salad or giving a little extra flavour to a main dish.

Plants are classed as annuals and perennials.  They may grow as a small plant, a shrub, or a tree.  All herbs like well drained soil.  Heavy or compacted soil can be amended with organic matter.  Herbs do not need a rich soil, so you may omit the fertilizer.  Herbs generally are sun seeking.  A few like full shade, though.  Afternoon shade is alright for herbs usually.  A pleasant surprise is that insects and diseases seldom attack herbs.  An exception is the red spider mite that seeks out low growing plants in dry hot weather and aphids that like certain plants like dill, caraway, anise and fennel.  Mint family herbs are affected by rust.

When growing herbs there is the choice of purchasing ready grown plants or starting directly from seeds.  There is a feeling of pride involved with starting from seeds and nurturing the plants all the way through the full circle, from seed to seedling, plant, mature plant and seed again. It is meaningful to harvest the useful plant parts.

Most herbs can be started from seed.  Late winter is the time to start your herbs in a shallow pot or box.  Soil should not be heavy and it should drain quickly.  Remember that herbs have shallow roots and do not cover them too deeply.  The finer a seed you are sowing the more shallow it needs to be sown.  Spring is the season to transplant the seed. There are a few herbs that should be started directly in the soil because they do not transplant well.  Some of these are dill, anise, fennel and coriander.  Plant them where you would like them to grow in your garden.

Always keep learning as you grow herbs in your home or in your garden.  It is an easy skill but there is always more to know and understand.  Use this article as a starting point and follow through by doing a little more research.  Best of luck in your gardening efforts.