Free Article: Herb Gardening

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Little Known Secrets on Herb Gardening
By Jim Carpenter

Approximately 15 billion households worldwide are hooked with herb gardening, whether in vegetable gardens, windowsills or containers. This is because not only can herbs be used in cooking; they also provide striking forms and textures, vibrant colors and distinctive fragrance to a garden.

When you decide to start herb gardening, the first thing you should do is determine the location. Make sure you plant the herbs at a place where you can easily harvest them. While you herb gardening are usually done outdoors, you can also set it up inside your house, on window boxes or containers.

However, since majority of herbs prefer complete exposure to the sun, you should consider placing them where the sun could reach the herbs for at least five hours a day. Be aware that light sensitivities vary for each kind of herbs.

The next thing to consider about your herb gardening is the type of herbs to plant. There are three categories of herbs – biennial, perennial and annual. Biennial herbs grow for about two years and it grows foliage during the first season, overwinters, form seeds again and dies during the end of the second season.

Perennials, on the other hand, can stay alive for several years. Although their foliage dies during fall, the roots remain alive through the winter and resume its growth during spring. Annual herbs, as its name suggests, only grows for one seasons and should be planted every spring.

Herb Gardening Maintenance

One of the major things to consider in herb gardening is soil requirements. Since herbs need a rich soil, excessive fertilization could cause vigorous herb growth. However, excessive fertilization could reduce its essential oil contents and cause your herbs to taste bland. Remember that your soil should always have good drainage.

Herb gardening requires special attention. While most herbs blossom with just an inch of water every week, herbs planted in containers tend to dry out quickly than herbs planted directly into the soil garden.

When the herbs become established, they become resistant to disease and insect attacks. They are able to repel different kinds of pests because of the oils, which give the herbs flavor and aroma. However, some insects and diseases can still affect your herbs.

Herb gardening can be a relaxing and environmentally friendly hobby. If you wish to eat natural, healthy foods right from your backyard, you should explore the psychological and physical benefits of herb gardening.

Author Details:
Jim Carpenter writes for various websites about landscaping. He is a landscape contractor with many years experience in all areas of gardening such as landscaping, organic gardening and outdoor furniture such as BBQ grills,

You can visit his site at www.sandaservicesinc.com

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See also: Landscaping, Lawn Care, Organic Garden, Barbeque Grill/Smokers, Outdoor Furniture, Vegetable Gardening & Vegetable Gardens