A great way to add interest to any home is to plant herbs. You can grow them in your outdoor garden, on windowsills or even in pots on your kitchen counter. In this article I will give you a few tips for planting herbs. Planting herbs can be a relaxing pastime and are ideal if you like to cook outdoors. The following information will give you herb gardening basics that you can use to start planting your herbs today.
Choosing a location for your indoor herb garden is probably the most vital part of the process. The herbs you choose need a location in which they get plenty of light each day. A windowsill is usually a good choice. This can be planted directly in the kitchen window so the herbs have a continuous supply of light, it will not allow moisture to collect in the pots, and it is close to your cooking area.
There are some herbs that do best when they are planted in the ground rather than being stored in containers. Herbs such as dill, fennel and coriander should be potted and kept in dark, cool areas that are out of direct sunlight. These kinds of growing herbs will keep their small leaves green and will produce large blooms if they are potted in the garden. However, there are other easier growing herbs that will reward you with their fragrance if you allow them to grow in the garden.
Basil and Oregano are both popular herb gardening staples. Both have very large areas to cover with their foliage, and both require little maintenance. The main differences between these two plants is how quickly they grow. Basil can take off and begin to grow next season whereas oregano will remain dormant until the winter. If you plant these two herbs together, they will share the same climate, which is good for both plants.
When choosing pots for growing herbs in, it is important to remember that you will want to choose something durable. Clay pots are great for growing most herbs. However, you may find that a glass pot will be more suited to your needs. Glass pots are typically easier to clean than clay ones. Also, these pots make it much easier to view your plants at all times and to harvest. Many people prefer the elegance that comes from a well-designed and well-placed herb container.
It is important that your herb garden has plenty of direct sunlight. Most perennials like the mint will do well with direct sunlight. If you have a shady garden, then you might consider a temporary container that provides indirect sunlight. These types of containers include hanging baskets or shallow pots on a patio or garden bench. One other option that you have for growing herbs that do well in the outdoors is a ladder planter. A ladder planter is basically a raised platform that you place your herbs on.
Another tip for herb gardening is to try to plant your garden when it is relatively dry. This is especially true of mint. Mint tends to do best when it is not too cold and it is not too hot. Your local garden center can help you determine the exact conditions that your herb garden will need. Just because it is summertime or wintertime, that does not mean that your herbs should go dormant.
Mint planters, if used correctly, can provide hours of conversation when guests visit. However, if you plant your herbs in pots and planters, then you will have to move them around. That is why many people choose a raised planting bed with soil that can be moved. However, if you plant mint in an area that is constantly exposed to sunlight, you will need to protect your plants.