Herb Plants Made Simple
Starting with healthy herb plants is a great way to create an aromatic, healthy supply of fresh herbs for multiple purposes. Whether you’re seeking a new culinary experience or searching for a cure for the common cold, herbs have lots to offer. Herb plants are easy to get started and once they begin to grow, it is easy to maintain a herb garden.
Many people aren’t sure where to start with their herb garden. There are dozens of different types of herbs and knowing what to plant first is puzzling. It’s also confusing to know what is best for a particular climate. And if you’re considering an indoor herb garden versus an outdoor garden, it’s hard to determine the best place to grow you garden.
Thankfully, there are some basic guidelines that are helpful when creating a garden. Herb plants come in a variety of shapes and types, and most of them do extremely well indoors.
The best rule about herb gardening is that there are no rules. A basic herb garden grows well most anywhere – an indoor herb garden is a great option. Taking advantage of a lonely but sunny window sill is a great place to start. Using containers for various herb plants is simple and it is an inexpensive project to get started. If the garden is focused outdoors, herb plants will thrive right beside other plants in a vegetable garden and even make other plants grow better too.
It is a good idea to pair herbs with vegetables they complement. For example, plant a small area with basil right alongside your outdoor tomato plants. The vision of ripe, red juicy tomatoes sprinkled with freshly crushed basil and a small slice of fresh mozzarella cheese will cause the mouth to water.
Whether you’re reaching to the window sill or just beyond your back door to the garden, fresh herb plants can’t be beat when it comes to freshness and flavor. If this is your first herb garden, consider these valuable tips:
1. The closer you place your herb plants to the kitchen, the better. Having them easily accessible makes it fun to use them when cooking. There is nothing like fresh herbs in foods and don’t be afraid to experiment.
2. Start with very small, healthy plants. There is no need to search for overgrown, large plants. You’ll soon have larger plants with some tender loving care. Although some people start with seeds, a new herb plant gardener will likely benefit from the smaller plants. When you become more experienced, you can consider starting with seeds for new varieties and you can even exchange seedlings with fellow gardeners.
3. Make sure to provide a well-drained soil for the plants or seeds. If water is allowed to stand, it can cause problems with the herb plants.
4. Just like most any plants, herb plants love water so be sure to give them enough water but not too much — keep soil well-drained. Check them occasionally to ensure they are getting enough water to the roots.
5. Plants love sunlight because it makes them grow healthy and strong. If planting an indoor herb garden along a window sill, choose a window that gets adequate sunlight. If planting an outdoor herb garden, make sure it gets sunlight during the day.
6. Start with some commonly used herbs as you begin. Consider parsley, rosemary, thyme, and oregano. Basil and cilantro are also good choices.
Here’s an important tip about fresh herb plants. They are usually much more flavorful and stronger than dried herbs you purchase in a store. As you begin using fresh herbs, test dishes by adding a small amount of fresh herbs and then season dishes more fully as you become familiar with the strength and flavors. It’s always easy to add more if desired.
Planting your own herb garden with herb plants is a good way to get started with an herbal garden. Once you begin using fresh herbs, you’ll never want to use dried, bottled seasonings again. There are hidden flavors in foods that were never before realized until fresh herbs were added.
Maintaining the herb garden takes minimal effort and once you get the hang of it, you can experiment with more exotic herb plants. Our ‘top ten list of culinary herbs’ will get you started in no time. You’ll find a list of exactly what you should purchase from your local nursery related to herb plants and everything else you need for successful herb gardening by visiting our website.
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