Herbs: Growing Your Own

The first thing you need to do when deciding to create your own Herb Garden is to decide on the size of the plot of land you want to use. This will depend on what herbs and how much you want to grow. Unless you are an experienced gardener or a herb fanatic don't make your plot too big at first. Remember, you can always add to it later. You can create a raised bed to grow your herbs in and always add more when you decide you need to grow more. Remember to plan out your planting sequence and keep records of what is planted where as well as marking your planting with plastic nametags.

You need to remember that most herbs usually like well-drained soil so start your bed with a good layer of gravel that will help drainage. Place your soil on top of this but remember to add some compost into this. If you have a free draining soil to start with you should be able to manage without the gravel. Make sure your plot is in full sun as many herbs originate in the Mediterranean region.

Most herbs can be sown from seed so you can buy these from your local nursery. You can also buy small plants fort transplanting but there is nothing more satisfying than doing all the work yourself so try to grow from seed first. If you don't succeed then try small plants later but remember to read the label, as some plants such as coriander do not transplant very well.

Remember that you can also grow many herbs in small tubs or window boxes and can even grow them on your windowsill. Try planting Basil over the winter as long as it is indoors as Basil is a frost tender plant and will die after a single light frost. You can also try starting your seeds off early in the year to plant out as soon as the risk of frost has passed. An early start will give you herbs for longer. If you plant out too early you can always try covering your tender plants with fleece to keep the frosts off. If you live in a frost-free place, get cracking now.

About The Author

Andy Wiley is a budding gardener, chef and internet writer. Check out his new site at http://www.healthy-herbs.com.

In The News:

---

Sign up for landscaping, garden classes now
Mirror, MI - Jan 4, 2009
Michael Saint, a certified master gardener and owner of Good Earth landscape Institute, will show you how to turn a neglected entrance, courtyard or side ...

Green stuff
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 16 hours ago
Aerin Moore discusses "How to Create a Beautiful Garden: Landscaping Techniques." 1 pm Tues. Public Safety Bldg., Alex Clark Room, 880 Tennent Ave., Pinole. ...

Gardening angel spruces up shop
Contra Costa Times, CA - Jan 6, 2009
That could have happened here, but thanks to a gardening angel, it didn't. Mitchell wrote to Kevin Davis of CLS Landscape Management Inc. in Chino and told ...

In the Garden: Resolutions for a gardening year
Peninsula Gateway, WA - 6 hours ago
30 for a seminar at the Tacoma Home and Garden Show (www.otshows.com/THS), “Edible landscaping with veggies and herbs.” In garden design, I see more yards ...

Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - Jan 3, 2009
Everything from design, home improvement, décor, home entertainment, landscaping, gardening, and much, much more will be on display at this event. ...
Seeds: Budding gardeners can take home a seedling Sacramento Bee
all 2 news articles

Last opportunity to join Master Gardener class
Blanco County News,  USA - 12 hours ago
Some of the volunteer projects have included: the support of the Bindseil Park, landscaping at Gem of the Hills, speaker at the Lavender festival with ...

Gardening Calendar, updated Jan 7
TCPalm, FL - 10 hours ago
"Florida Native Landscaping": University of Florida/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center; 2199 S. Rock Road, Fort Pierce; 4-7 pm, ...

January education opportunities
Examiner.com - 14 hours ago
Daugherty designed many garden and landscapes around the city of Atlanta. The exhibition runs through March 28 th . For full information check: ...

Ice on the shrubs is no reason to put off early spring cleaning
Reno Gazette Journal, NV - 17 hours ago
It's cold out there, so I have gathered up my past issues of some gardening books, and some of my older landscape books, and a sketch book. ...

California Farm Bureau
Ag sectors smart from housing slowdown
California Farm Bureau, CA - Jan 6, 2009
Cash-strapped homeowners facing foreclosure don't spend money on gardening materials. The abrupt halt to building and development leaves landscape ...

landscaping gardening - Google News

Pruning Roses Secrets

Pruning your roses is one of the most needed and the most annoyingly difficult tasks that goes with proper rose care. It takes a steady hand the... Read More

Plant Hardiness Zones

When selecting plants for the landscape, is important to select plants that will grow in your climate. The United States has 10 of growing or climate zones.... Read More

Rose Meanings Explained

Roses are the traditional gift given on Valentines Day, but they're well-received any time of year. The color and type of rose does carry a meaning, though.... Read More

Organic Gardening

"Organic gardening is not just the avoidance of chemicals, in the larger view, it is organic living using nature's laws." I read this quote by an unknown... Read More

A Look at Fall Flower Bulbs

Most people would think of fall as a season when trees are changing colors and dying. For many, the autumn leaves are our last dance with color... Read More

Fall Garden Planning - Garden Plans for Next Spring and Ordering by Mail

It's August, the weather has cooled a bit here and the summer monsoons where I live in New Mexico have begun. The kids are starting back to... Read More

How and When to Plant Roses

When spring comes and the ground is thawed, it is time to start planting your rose garden. Roses have been a cherished aphrodisiac since biblical times. They... Read More

The Heralded Teak Furniture Manufacturer: Kingsley-Bate

With an average lifespan of 75 years, teak wood has long been commended as the ideal choice for outdoor furniture. It has qualities unlike any other wood... Read More

How to Care for Your Outdoor Water Fountains

Garden lovers around the world love putting fountains among their flowers, plants, bushes and shrubs. And with the Christmas season upon us in the U.S., many garden... Read More

Mulch Your Spring Bulbs In The Fall For A Beautiful Spring Display

Flower bulbs need a good, long, winters sleep. Like some people we know, if they wake up before they are fully rested, they get kind of cranky,... Read More

10 Tips to Care for Your Antique Ceramics

To care for your antique ceramics you need a gentle touch and they'll last you a long time. This month we'll give you some useful tips to... Read More

What is the Right Plant and Where Do I Put It?

Know if your plants are disease-susceptible. Your choice of plants used in your garden is as important as the soil that you put those plants in. Select... Read More

Wild Flower Garden - Yours to Design and Plan

To design a wild flower garden, you do not need to be a specialist or an artist, you just need to be observant and let your creative... Read More

How To Plan A Garden Right

Gardening is a hobby that brings joy, entertainment, and a better quality of life. It is a creative activity, the result of which is a more aesthetically... Read More

An Outdoor Swing is A Great Way to Relax

There is simply no better vantage point from which to view the beauty of nature, the occasional passerby and the antics of wildlife than an outdoor swing.... Read More

Planting Roses In Your Garden

Roses are an old standby for any garden and one of the worlds favorite flowers. There are over 5,000 varieties of roses in the United States and... Read More

Wind Chimes Soothe The Soul

They can be pretty to look at and soothing to hear, but did you know that that wind chimes also have healing effects? Just listening to the... Read More

How to Grow Bananas

If your grocer says, "Yes, we have no bananas. We have no bananas today," it isn't surprising since the banana is the world's second favorite fruit, surpassed... Read More

Mosquito Farms? Is That What Water Gardens Are?

What is nicer that a lovely backyard garden pond. The lush growth rising above the water, graceful fish darting about and the soothing sound of the water.... Read More

Orchid Care - What The Leaves Tell Us

Orchid Care Leaves Tell Us About Orchid HealthOver the past 20 years the orchid supply has become almost limitless. All in all orchid care leaves is becoming... Read More

Dog Days of Summer

Here are a few tips to keep your garden and a few specific problems from getting away from you during the month of August gardening. Your lawn,... Read More

A Teak Chair - Create a Livable Outdoor Space with One

When creating a comfortable, usable outdoor space, nothing could me more inviting and warm than furnishing that space with natural products such as wood. Often, though, there... Read More

Delavays Blueberry (Vaccinium delavayi)

Whether we know it or not, most of us are familiar with the genus Vaccinium as it has among its members several current or potential commercial crops,... Read More

Gallica Roses

Very soon stocks of new season's roses will be arriving in the garden centres, if they're not already there. Indeed, to be sure of getting... Read More

How to Water Your Houseplants Wisely

Over watering ranks first in causes of houseplant demise because it causes roots to rot. Most plants are tough so they can recover from under watering with... Read More

Good Tools and Hard Work is What Creates EyeCatching and Functional Gardens

"Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade." -Rudyard KiplingSweat and toil along with gentle showers guarantee ? pleasant flowers and pleasing fruits and consoling shade.... Read More