The Bountiful Herb Garden

Most gardeners will eventually stretch their green thumbs by creating an herb garden at one time or another. Herbs can provide many uses today, from the culinary delights of fresh oregano and basil to the heavenly scents of lavender and mint. Herbs can be decorative, aromatic, completely functional or a combination of all three. Most gardeners find that an herb garden is a satisfying experience because many herbs are easy to grow and do not require a lot of special treatment to thrive. If you are interested in adding herbs to your home garden, read on for tips that will help your herb garden thrive.

Cultivating the Soil
The first step in any successful garden is providing the right soil for your plants to grow. This is also true of the herb garden that is filled with plants that have their own unique needs. The most important requirement for an herb garden is sufficient drainage, which can be achieved by using a lighter potting soil or plenty of compost if planting herbs in the ground. Some gardeners will even place a layer of stone about 18 inches under the surface and add plenty of peat and compost to the soil to ensure adequate drainage. Herbs don't generally need a large amount of nutrients, so fertilizer is unnecessary for a successful herb garden.

Starting Seeds
Herbs are a hearty bunch, so most can be started from seed right in the ground. You can also start your herbs in containers the same way, although many gardeners will buy a few seedlings to place into pots. For an earlier crop, herbs can also be started by indoor gardening in late winter, and then transplanted into the ground when the danger of frost has passed. To find out the best time to plant a particular herb, check the seed packet for instructions or ask your local extension office for advice. It is important to note that some herbs, like mint, are aggressive enough to take over an entire herb garden and might be better off in its own container than in the ground.

Harvesting Herbs
Most plants in your herb garden will reach the peak of their culinary value just before the buds begin to bloom. This is an excellent time to cut the herbs for cooking, whether you use them fresh or preserve them for use throughout the year. Nearly all herbs can be dried indoors and stored throughout the winter, but some gardeners have found that freezing the herbs instead of drying them preserves the flavor better. In the case of herbs that are best used in their fresh state, consider starting a few pots on your window sill that will allow you to enjoy fresh herbs throughout the year.

An herb garden can provide beauty and many different functions to your outdoor space. Whether you are planting herbs to enhance your favorite recipes or simply enjoy the aroma and aesthetic quality of these plants, an herb garden can be the perfect way to expand your garden this summer.