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Herb Gardens
If you don't have a large yard or no yard at all, give herb gardening a try. Herbs don't require much space and an herb garden offers the pleasures
of a vegetable garden, without a lot of pampering. Even if gardening is your forte, herbs can be a versatile addition. Feature your favorites in a separate garden, either formally to imitate a stately royal garden or informally to create a natural low-care border in your backyard. If space is limited, tuck a few herbs into a sunny spot in the garden you already have to provide a lush backdrop for flowers or an edible edging around vegetables. Or grow them in containers and place them around your deck or patio. You can even bring them inside - a sunny kitchen windowsill is a natural spot. Herbs will transform a simple meal into a gourmet delight, brighten a kitchen table with colorful blossoms and fill every room in your house with a reminder of fresh garden scents. Instead of planting your herbs helter-skelter, sketch a simple plan first. Even if you're striving for a natural design, achieving unity and order will only enhance the look. Start out on a small scale by tucking a few herb plants in a perennial border, a bare spot between a hedge and lawn or an unused corner in your vegetable garden. If you don't have room in your garden, or don't have a garden, herbs are happy to take up residence in herb boxes and strawberry jars. You can use an old wooden box as an herb box or build your own.
Common Herbs
Sweet Basil
Annual in cold climates. Grows to 24" tall. Leaves are various shades of
green; one variety sports purple leaves. Harvest leaves before flower buds
open. Keep plants pinched back.
Chives
Perennial. Grows to 12" tall. Plant seeds or divisions in early spring in a
sunny location. Pinch back occasionally to encourage more vigorous growth.
Dill
Annual. Grows to 36" tall. Plant seeds outdoors in a sunny location after
all danger of frost has passed. To harvest leaves, pinch them off in early
summer and quick-dry in a cool airy place.
Garlic
Perennial, but best grown and harvested as an annual. Grows to 24" tall.
Plant cloves outdoors in a sunny location during the early spring. In late
summer when the tops begin to turn yellow, bend them over with the back of
a rake. Dig the bulbs when the foliage has turned completely brown.
Sweet Marjoram
Annual (perennial in warm climate areas). Grows to 12" tall. Sow seeds 8 to
10 weeks early indoors and plant in a sunny location outdoors after all
danger of frost has passed. Harvest fresh leaves as needed.
Mint
Perennial. Most common varieties are apple mint, orange mint, and
spearmint. Height varies with variety, but ranges from 12" to 36". Plant
seeds or root divisions in early spring. Divide every few years to keep the
plants vigorous.
Oregano
Perennial. Grows to 12" tall. Plant root divisions in spring after all
danger of frost has passed. Keep pinched back.
Parsley
Biennial, but best treated as an annual. Grows to 12" tall. Start seeds
outdoors in late fall or early spring.
Rosemary
Perennial in warm climate areas, where it can reach a height of 4' tall;
Will not overwinter in cold climate areas. start seeds midwinter indoors
under lights.
Thyme
Perennial. Grows to 12" tall. Sow seeds 4 to 6 weeks early indoors or
outdoors after frost danger has passed.
Source Unknown
In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful.
~Abram L. Urban
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Feed Plants--Sprinkle Kelp on the soil to add potash and other minerals to houseplants.
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