Some people just seem to have a green thumb and a real knack for growing fresh herbs to make gourmet meals. Using herbs grown in a kitchen window can enhance any meal. Most people think that methods to grow an herb garden are complicated but in truth, they are quite easy. The great thing is that herbs don’t require special soil, they can be grown throughout the year, and the garden could be grown in a window sill, this makes a great project for anyone, even apartment dwellers.
The best time to grow an herb garden starts in early spring with tiny seeds. As the weather becomes warmer, the young plants could be transplanted outdoors. For the seeds, these would be grown in four inch pots and then placed in a location with lots of sunlight. Keep in mind that while standard containers work well, any type of container could be used as long as the seeds have room to grow. Most important, if you choose anything other than a new container, use a mixture of three teaspoons bleach to a gallon of water to wash it out carefully, rinse, and then dry to kill any organisms.
If you choose a larger container, then several herbs of the same kind or different herbs could be grown together. For the best flavor from fresh herbs, flower heads need to be removed. When choosing herbs, there are annuals, which grow only one year, and perrinials, which return each year. Some of the favorite choices include basil, oregano, and parsley. If you want to grow a herb garden outside, you could choose larger plants that include lavender and rosemary, among others. Then, for perennials, you might think of herbs such as chives, mint, sage, etc. Along with pinching off flower heads, if herb plants get leggy, the stems would also need to be clipped back.
If you have poor soil such as heavy clay you may want to consider growing an herb garden in a raised bed. Raised bed planter boxes can be made easily and filled with a rich soil mixture. These boxes provide great drainage that most all herb garden plants require. Place the planter boxes in an area that receives plenty of sun, possibly even a spot near the kitchen for easy access. These planters are also great for planting and growing summer veggies or spring and
summer flowers for cutting.
Organic herb gardening is really easier than you think. You can begin today to grow your own herbs such as basil, chives, tarragon, lavender, mint, oregano, parsley, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, and sage today. Freshly cut herbs add so much more flavor to any recipe.
