Introduction to Gardening with Herbs
Friday, November 13th 2009 @ 2:15 PM (not yet rated)
Introduction to Gardening with Herbs
A lush herb garden full of full of aromatic plants to use for cooking, healing, crafts, cosmetics and more is a joy to have.
Many people are unsure about getting started with an herb garden. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about growing herbs.
What kind of soil should I grow herbs in?
A soil that drains well which is made up of a mixture of sand and rich loamy material is probably the best soil for getting started. Loamy soil is the dark, crumbly topsoil that is commonly used as a base for starting lawns. Herbs grow best in a loamy soil mixed with sand.
A rule of thumb to remember is that herbs hate ‘wet feet,’ so a loamy soil with some sand will help provide good drainage yet still retain nutrients and moisture.
What is the best location to start an herb garden?
Choose a spot that will get at least four hours of sun a day. Eight hours is ideal. Most herbs love sun, so a spot that provides plenty of sunshine is the best place. It’s always a good idea to observe the rotation of the sun for the proposed location to see how much sun falls on the area in the morning, noon and late afternoon.
Can I grow herbs in the shade?
Yes, absolutely. There are some herbs that will thrive in the shade, such as Sweet Woodruff, Mint and Lungwort. But even these herbs will need some sun throughout the day, so a location that is shady all day will not be a good spot.
Can I grow herbs in pots?
Yes, many herbs do thrive well in pots. Most culinary herbs do well in pots, just make sure the pot gives the plant enough room to grow. Some herbs, like fennel, don’t grow as well in pots as they have a long root system. Check our video on Richard White at Hazelwood Herb Farm who discusses growing herbs in pots.
Can I grow herbs indoors?
Many herbs grow well indoors, provided they have a sunny location that provides at least 4 hours of sun a day. They also need a large enough pot and will need to be re-potted every few years as the plant grows and the root system becomes too compact.
Can I grow herbs indoors in the winter?
There are a limited number of herbs that will grow indoors in the winter. Chives, for example, are a culinary herb that will grow indoors. Growth during the winter months will be slower than summer.
Grow lights may be needed during the darkest days of winter to provide enough light and warmth for the plants to grow.
