Herb is part of our dining table every night. In one form or another, we all are consuming it regularly. So, what’s better than having our own Herb Garden?

Herb Garden – Introduction

All plant lovers, once in their lives, want to grow their gardens. But some of them bury their wishes due to lack of space. A few plants don’t take up much space at home. Also, a few of them are easy to plant both inside the house and in a garden. Thus, this step will free you from the hassle of making extra space. One of those plants is a herb. We know herb is a plant that’s part of our regular food. Also, it is one of the best natural medicines you can find without higher costs. 

There are many benefits to herbs, and we are all aware of them. We want to show you the perfect methods to grow your herb garden. So, you never have to head to the superstore for an herb. Your food will be garnished, and you can get the best medicine in the world for free. But before we start planting, a few steps need to be completed. Let’s take a look at them so you can get the best herb garden in your block. 

What is the best soil for Herb Garden?

Knowing there are a few steps to complete before planting herbs is essential if you are a new gardener. The most vital of those steps is soil selection. You should check the soil for a few indicators mentioned below. 

1. Herbs need well-drained soil. The water you give to the plant should not stay in the soil. It should go through the soil without any problem for the plant. Waterlogging harms the roots. To avoid waterlogging difficulties, use a mixture of soil and sand. This combination can also improve water damage.
2. Experts understand that herbs don’t need nutrients from the soil to grow. But if they are available in the soil, herbs benefit from them. So, why not give some benefit to your plant? It’s like an investment. Add well-rotted manure or compost to the soil to provide essential nutrients to the plant.
3. Another vital factor for herbs is the pH level of the soil. If your soil is slightly acidic, it will benefit the herb garden planter. The ideal pH level is between 6.0 and 7.0. You should test the pH level in the soil before planting. If the pH level differs from the perfect metrics, use the pH adjustment methods
4. Your soil should be loose enough to allow air circulation for the roots. Avoid planting in compact soil. This type of soil is blockage for air. Also, compact soil limits the function of nutrients as well.

Herbs to Grow in a Herb Garden and Their Tips

Following a sequence to get the best results is vital for growing an herb garden. After you have selected the appropriate soil for your herb garden, it is time to know your herbs. There are many types available in the market. Learning about the maximum types is the ideal way to get the best results out of your garden. 

1- Basil

Basil is an herb commonly used in Italian cuisine. It is famous for its slightly peppery and sweet flavor. It is also widely used in salads, pasta dishes, and pizza toppings. 

Growing Tips

To grow Basil in your home garden, ensure that it gets a lot of light and that you have warm weather. The soil should be consistently moist and well-drained. As the basil grows, remove the flowers. This will ensure that the plant’s leaves grow well. 

2- Mint

We all know the Mint has the most refreshing taste. It is ideal for cocktails, tea, salads, and desserts. Mint is also famous for medicinal purposes. People use it as a digestion medicine. 

Growing Tips

If you want to plant Mint in your herb garden, do it in a container. The plant is a vigorous grower. Also, Mint prefers partial shade, so move the container to your garage. But make sure that the soil in the container is moist. 

3- Rosemary

Rosemary has a piney flavor and is best used with bread, potatoes, and roasted meat. It also has a refreshing scent and is used in therapies. 

Growing Tips

While planting herbs, we need to ensure the best environment for them. P[lant a rosemary in a well-drained soil. Also, this herb likes the full Sun. So please keep it away from the shade in your herb garden. It can become woody when fully mature, so keep pruning the plant. 

4-Thyme

Thyme has an earthy, subtle flavour that adds something extra to your food. It can be used with roasted vegetables and stews. It is a common ingredient in Mediterranean dishes. 

Growing Tips 

Grow and plant thyme in well-drained soil. It needs full Sun, so keep it away from shade in your herb garden. You can also grow it in containers. After you observe flowers growing on it, do a little trimming. This trimming will help the Thyme herb grow. 

5-Parsley

Parsley offers so much more than garnishing your dishes. Its peppery flavor makes it suitable for soups, salads, and sauces. This herb is also enriched with antioxidants and vitamins. 

Growing Tips

Parsley is best planted in fertile and well-drained soil. It prefers partial shade but can grow in full Sun as well. You need to keep the soil moist. Also, harvest this plant regularly. This way, it can grow the bushes again. 

6- Cilantro

Cilantro is the most used herb in the world. This herb is best for Indian, Mexican, and Asian cuisines. With so much variety, you’ll love this herb in your garden. 

Growing Tips

For this herb, ensure moist soil and partial shade above the plant. Also, Cilantro grows well in cooler weather. 

7- Oregano

Oregano is robust and peppery. It is best paired with Mexican, Italian, and Greek food. Pizza, meat dishes, and tomato-based sauces are the best dishes to use oregano. 

Growing Tips

You need to put Oregano under the Sun. The soil should also be well-drained. Due to its rugged nature, this plant can tolerate drought. You just need to harvest it regularly to support its growth. 

8-Sage

Sage has a robust and earthy flavor that’s easy to detect. This herb goes well with sausages, pork, and poultry. The best way to use it is in herb butter and stuffing. 

Growing Tips

The best way to plant a Sage herb in your herb garden is under the full Sun. Also, ensure the plant has well-drained soil. This herb can survive different conditions. After the flowers are visible on the plant, prune it well to maintain its shape. 

9- Chives

Chives are an onion-like herb that goes well with creamy dips, baked potatoes, and salads. They grow purple-colored flowers that are also edible. The flowers are best for decorating dishes. 

Growing Tips

These herbs grow well in both partial shade and full sun. They are perennials that grow again even after a couple of seasons. We only need to trim them to get the best results. 

How do I plant a Herb in soil?

Now that we have selected the perfect soil and discussed many herbs let’s learn how to plant an herb in our garden. An herb garden planter must understand the process of growing an herb. Whether starting from scratch or transplanting, the correct steps ensure success. 

Step 1 – Location

We have selected the ideal soil for planting our herb garden. But if you have a wide space, selecting the location is also vital. An herb planter should consider the following points. 

• Most herbs grow well under sunlight, while some need partial light or shade. So, check for the type of herb. In most cases, go for a place under Sunlight. We can arrange shade later, but sunlight is impossible to bring to a shady spot. 
• No matter which type of herb you are planting, your soil should be well-drained. Waterlogging can negatively affect plant roots. 
• The most essential point is shelter from strong winds. If you live in an area with strong winds, find a space with some wind blockers or shelters. Herbs aren’t strong enough to resist winds. 

Step 2 – Prepare the Soil

Now, after selecting a location for your herb garden, let’s prepare your soil for plantation. Clear the soil from containments and remove debris, rocks, and wood from the planting area. Your soil should not be compact enough that water doesn’t cross through the roots. You can use a tiller or a garden fork to loosen the soil. The ideal depth of sil for herbs should be 12 inches. This depth is perfect for plants to penetrate. After preparation, add some organic material to the soil. Well-rotted manure or compost will do the trick for you. 

Step 3- Sowing Seeds

After completing the two steps, it is time to sow the seeds in the soil. 

• We recommend you get the seeds from a supermarket that comes in a pack. Packed seeds always come with instructions about depth and spacing. 
• Instead of directly sowing the seeds, use some strings or garden markets to create straight rows for the seeds. 
• If you have larger seeds, plant them at half to one-inch depth. But for tiny seeds, keep them below half an inch depth. 
• Proper spacing between the two seeds is essential for growth. Check the seed packing to determine the ideal spacing. 
• After sowing the seeds, cover them gently with soil. Now, add water carefully to the soil. This will keep the soil moist for the new seed. 

How do I care for the herb garden after sowing?

After sowing the herb seeds, the task isn’t complete. It is time to care for your seed so that it matures and becomes a plant. The following are the steps to care for your herb garden. 

Step 1 – Watering and Mulching

The most crucial factor for a seed is watering. We must keep the moisture level in the soil up to the mark for new seeds. A plant needs a high intake of water during its early growth. Keep watering your plant deeply but after a few days. This process will ensure growth for the roots. 

Also, a thin layer of organic mulch should be added around the plants in the early stages. Mulch helps the soil remain moist and suppresses weeds and unwanted plants. This addition will regulate the soil temperature as well.

Step 2- Fertilizers

Herbs are easy-to-grow plants and don’t need much investment. But, it is better to keep adding fertilizers once a month during the growing season. Don’t add fertilizers excessively to the plant’s soil. 

Step 3- Pruning

Now, your plant will continue to grow some leaves and roots. During this period, it is essential to prune the plant. Remove the yellow leaves from the plant so they don’t consume healthy leaf food. As you are pruning and harvesting, pick an early morning time. 

Step 4- Disease Management

Keep a close eye on unwanted insects that may damage your plant. Natural pest control methods are best for avoiding disease. Good air circulation is another method for keeping diseases away. 

Read More: Tomato Cages – Benefits, and Methods to use

FAQs

Following are the few most commonly asked questions about a herb garden. 

1- What are the easiest to grow herbs for a beginner?

If you are a beginner, try Oregano, Chive, and Mint herbs. These herbs grow well in different conditions. 

2- Can we grow herbs indoors?

Yes, more than a few types of herbs need partial shelter. Keep them near a window to get partial Sunlight. The best examples are Mint, chives, and Parsley. 

3- How often should I water my plant?

Herbs need moist soil, but waterlogging is avoided. Check the top of the herb soil to see if it’s moist. If you feel dryness, water your plant deep, but not frequently. 

4- Do herbs need Full Sunlight?

Some herbs need full sunlight, but after a couple of days, check the moisture level. 

Final Thoughts

Now we understand that it is easy to grow an herb garden. We only have to follow the instructions and select an ideal location. Following the instructions will give us the best results.