Herbs are about more than just stocking up your cupboards. Anyone that grows herbs knows the way they enrich a garden, bringing with them a variety of smells and textures. Of course it's great for food too, and there's nothing better than being able to wander out and tear up some fresh basil right off the plant. For anyone considering growing herbs, there are a few tips that can help you out.
The main thing to know is that it's much easier than it might seem. This isn't as labour intensive as growing vegetables, or as heartbreaking. Herbs are little weeds when it comes to surviving, and you're likely to find that they'll take over wherever you set them rather than get overwhelmed. That said, you can always help plants to achieve their best by taking their needs into consideration.
Some herbs like sun more than others. This doesn't mean you want them to get completely baked, so a little shade in the day is always good, but varieties such as thyme, sage, rosemary, tarragon and oregano are going to be happier with more sunlight. On the other hand rocket, sorrel, parsley, chervil and mustard like to have a bit more shade, but obviously need their share of light too. If you've got space try to think about where you can put the plants to best play to these needs.
A good soil will help your plants to stay alive, even when you're regularly tearing bits off them. You want soil-based compost as opposed to something peaty. It might sound like dirt is dirt, but actually herbs aren't used to peat, and it can stunt their growth. This is relevant if you're growing these in a container, but they'll be quite happy in regular garden soil, even if there's plenty of clay in there. You can also improve the health of the plants by feeding them with some form of leaf nutrients through the spring months to encourage new growth and make the most of the sun.
Water in the morning rather than at night so that the plants can make the most of the sun without drying out. That's all you need to know to get a good collection going.
The main thing to know is that it's much easier than it might seem. This isn't as labour intensive as growing vegetables, or as heartbreaking. Herbs are little weeds when it comes to surviving, and you're likely to find that they'll take over wherever you set them rather than get overwhelmed. That said, you can always help plants to achieve their best by taking their needs into consideration.
Some herbs like sun more than others. This doesn't mean you want them to get completely baked, so a little shade in the day is always good, but varieties such as thyme, sage, rosemary, tarragon and oregano are going to be happier with more sunlight. On the other hand rocket, sorrel, parsley, chervil and mustard like to have a bit more shade, but obviously need their share of light too. If you've got space try to think about where you can put the plants to best play to these needs.
A good soil will help your plants to stay alive, even when you're regularly tearing bits off them. You want soil-based compost as opposed to something peaty. It might sound like dirt is dirt, but actually herbs aren't used to peat, and it can stunt their growth. This is relevant if you're growing these in a container, but they'll be quite happy in regular garden soil, even if there's plenty of clay in there. You can also improve the health of the plants by feeding them with some form of leaf nutrients through the spring months to encourage new growth and make the most of the sun.
Water in the morning rather than at night so that the plants can make the most of the sun without drying out. That's all you need to know to get a good collection going.
