The use of herbs, whether in cooking or medicinal uses, can be traced as far back as thousands of years. World historians agree that the use of different types of herbs was already common with the Egyptian and Chinese civilizations. The use of herbs continued to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and eventually, to the modern age. Herbs are very useful to organic gardeners because of the variety of practical uses they have. Apart from providing exquisite and varied flavors to food and beverages, herbs may also be used for tea and of course, for common health maladies.
Growing herbs is a pleasure: because you have full control of how the gardens would end up. Whether you are out to produce a holistic herb garden of medicinal herbs or a fresh organic garden of tasty spices for the whole family to enjoy, herb gardens can be guided by your own hands. If you have a plot of land 4 x 6 feet in dimension, then your family of herbs would have an adequate plot to grow on. Two of the most popular uses of herbs are for aromatic foliage and of course, for handy spices. Whether dry or moist, your herbs can be used to bring out a richer, more sumptuous flavor in pasta, pastries and whole meals.
Botanically, herbs are just like other plants used around the world. Some of them grow to become trees or short shrubs. Some herbs are classified as annual plants, while some are more of a perennial type. Many herbs are natural sun-lovers, while some prefer the cool protection of shady plots.
Though herbs are attacked very rarely by pests or diseases, there are some common problems especially if you are in a very dry region. For example, red spider mites have been known to infest short, shrubby herbs while members of the aphid family have been known to take advantage of herbs such as dill and the popular fennel. For some reason, the mint plant is also affected by plant rust.
If you wish to grow herbs in your own garden, you have several choices: transplanted herbs or seeds. Just like other plants grown in the garden, you can buy from a respectable breeder, grow the small plants in your greenhouse and plant them when the environmental conditions are just right. Inversely, you can attempt to grow them straight from active, germinating seeds. If you wish to develop some horticultural skills, herbs would be a wonderful way of entering the interesting world of gardening.
There are some things you have to remember about seeds and planting in general. When the temperature is beginning to drop, signaling the start of winter, make sure your seeds are kept in a box and away from the biting cold winds outside. Light, airy soil should be used in these shallow boxes to give the seeds the space they need to grow well. Herbs do notgrow very deeply into the soil, so avoid choking them with excess soil. As a general rule of thumb, remember that the smaller the seeds you have to sow, the less soil you have to use to cover the seeds. Some herbal varieties require direct planting; examples of these herbs are anise and coriander,as well as dill and fennel.
Growing herbs can be quite a hobby, or passion. The purpose of this article was to give you a small taste of herbal gardening. The time has come for you to seek out the best and most comprehensive information to support what you have learned here. The journey begins now. We wish you luck!
A. G. Coco is an herb gardening enthusiast. For more great tips on herb gardens, visit http://www.growingfreshherbs.com.
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