If you have mastered the art of vegetable gardening, then perhaps you are considering expanding your skills of gardening into something a little more advanced, such as herb gardening. There is in fact a myth that herb gardening is something unique and advanced, but fortunately for you, herb gardening is even easier than gardening other plants and is a great way for beginner gardeners to get their hands dirty and learn how to garden.
Unlike most plants, herbs require very little to keep them thriving. In fact, all they need is a little bit of water and a whole lot of sun. You do not need to spray, trim, or fertilize and they will even grow in almost any soil. Herb gardening is so easy, you will wonder why you didn’t start sooner.
Start off with some basic herb gardening plans before you sow your first seed. What kind of herbs do you want? Herbs grow very easily, even in poor conditions, so consider that overgrowth can happen if you don’t keep an eye on them. You will need a lot of space in either your garden or pot before you begin.
Due to their nature of proliferation and overgrowth, sow your seeds with at least a foot of space in between. You will want lots of space to ensure your plants aren’t competing for nutrients. With this in mind, you will also need to prepare your soil perfectly.
Most herbs will do well with a good mix of both sandy and clay loam, or even simply a good compost. You want to ensure there is plenty of drainage. Your soil should be moist, but never soaking wet. Some herbs will do well with water from rainfall, and don’t require any additional watering, such as Lavender or Sage. Peppermint on the other hand does like to be watered frequently, and you can set up an automatic drip for your peppermint if this herb is in your plans.
Landscape fabric is an excellent way of preventing weeds before they start. This is a great way to ensure your garden does not become overgrown with weeds, as these grow almost as quickly as herbs, and in some cases, are so similar you may weed out the wrong plant.
Herbs are also handy in that they resist bugs and pests easily. Even still however, you may want to plant a few ‘sacrifice’ plants to trap pests and bugs. Dill is a great plant to trap pests as it is inviting to pests, and keeps pests away from other plants.
You will also need to learn what herbs thrive in what seasons. Some will do well year round, while others will need planting in intervals of four weeks. Do your research and find out what herbs do best and when.
Herb gardening is easier than you think. If you like having fresh herbs garnish your dishes, start sooner than later. You will be so pleased with the end result!