Growing your own herb plants is a good way to create fresh, aromatic herbs for many different purposes. Growing herbs indoors is simple since herb plants grow well in pots and they thrive in sunny window sills. Any type of pot or container that allows for well-drained soil will be a welcome home for herb plants.
There are three (3) important things necessary for an indoor herb garden and these are the same essential things needed for outdoor herb gardens too. They include:
1. Adequate sunlight
2. Well-drained soil
3. Plenty of water
These three things are important for growing herbs indoors so a window sill or surface where sun enters through a door or window is important. A kitchen herb garden is an excellent place to start. If there is a window in the kitchen that faces south or west, you can take greater advantage of natural sunlight. If you have a problem with a lack of adequate sunlight, growing herbs indoors can also be accomplished by using a light source such as a "grow lamp" or fluorescent lamp. While these are available, natural sunlight is always preferred if it is available.
Soil is the next important consideration. Herb Plants grow best in well-drained soil that is not too rich. Using two parts sterilized potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite for herbs is a good mixture for pots. It is also beneficial to put about an inch of gravel or small rocks in the bottom of each pot to allow for adequate drainage. When growing herbs indoors, it is essential to ensure that pots do not become too wet and drainage helps avoid this problem. Adding about a teaspoon of lime for a 5-inch pot will help ensure that the soil is best suited for herbs. When the soil is optimal, the herb plants will grow strong and healthy and maintaining the herb plants will be easier.
Next, don't overlook the importance of water when growing herbs indoors. Herb Plants grown in pots need adequate water, although it's important not to over-water them. Herbs grow well when misted lightly with cool water. When growing herbs indoors in pots or containers, water them more often but avoid drenching the roots and leaving them soggy. They will not thrive in a pot that is too wet. A light spritz of water is a good way to keep them damp but not saturated.
When growing herbs indoors, it is easy to start a herb garden without a lot of fuss and trouble. Following these three essential tips for indoor herb garden projects will help ensure that your herb plants are healthy and produce fragrant herbs for cooking or other purposes. This is just the beginning of the wonderful experience of herb gardening and before you know it, you'll be ready to take your indoor herb garden into the outdoors too.
Ralph J Miller is the author of this article and the creator of the Ebook "My Secrets to a Successful Herb Garden". For more information and tips on herb gardening and growing herbs indoors, please visit our website at http://www.MyHerbGardeningSecrets.com and while your there you can register to receive your Free Herb Gardening Secrets Mini-Course.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ralph_J_Miller
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
A Garden Herb
What makes a good garden herb? For the gardeners who want more garden and less herb, there are some herbs that look great as garden plants and you can still use them for all their herb-y goodness. When looking at the list of herbs you can plant in your garden, look for how tall and wide they will be. Check out what kind of leaves they will have or the color of the flowers that will bloom.
Some good garden herbs are:
1. Lovage
This herb is wonderful for cooking with, and it helps the growth process of all other plants around it. What makes lovage a garden herb is that it grows tall, almost hedge-like. You can plant your lovage on the sides of your garden, and watch the wall of green grow. Best of all, lovage is a sturdy plant that can survive the winter. You won't need to replant these mini-tree like herbs.
2. Lavender
A great herb that can substitute as decorative flowers. Lavender flowers are really pretty and you can grow them to line your walkways or paths. The herb flowers can be used to make fresh herb or dried herb tea. Their delicate scent is also always welcome to anyone's senses. Lavender soothes all around, and definitely suites any garden.
3. Jasmine
Like lavender, jasmine makes a great tea and great decorative plant as well. Plant jasmine by your patio, or near the center of the garden fountain. The dainty jasmine flowers complement almost any other plant around them, and their scent is reminiscent of fairy tales and dreams, a great past time to do in your pretty garden!
4. Sweet Woodruff
Another herb with a beautiful flower. Sweet woodruff has a natural musk that picks up in the late afternoons. Plant these closer to your home, maybe line the last step with its flowers. You can also plant this next to your lovage and help its growth along.
5. Basil
Finally, there's basil. It's a good all around herb that is used all the time. If you have a small vegetable patch in your garden, plant basil next to your tomatoes and taste the tomatoes getting sweeter as the basil gets stronger. If pruned right, basil can look like a great plant without many people realizing that it's a garden herb.
As a gardener, there are many ways that you can find herb plants and situate them to make them look like they are regular plants in your garden. It's understandable that not everyone wants an intricate herb garden or a garden that looks like a mini vegetable farm. So check out all the herbs, their flowers, and their heights. Think strategically and you'll find you have many a garden herb you can work with!
Herb gardening is one of the most enjoyable activities or hobbies you can ever take up. Not only does it relieve stress, but the various herbs prove to be very useful around the home too. To learn more about how you can begin your own herb garden, visit My Home Herb Garden
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeannie_Woods
Some good garden herbs are:
1. Lovage
This herb is wonderful for cooking with, and it helps the growth process of all other plants around it. What makes lovage a garden herb is that it grows tall, almost hedge-like. You can plant your lovage on the sides of your garden, and watch the wall of green grow. Best of all, lovage is a sturdy plant that can survive the winter. You won't need to replant these mini-tree like herbs.
2. Lavender
A great herb that can substitute as decorative flowers. Lavender flowers are really pretty and you can grow them to line your walkways or paths. The herb flowers can be used to make fresh herb or dried herb tea. Their delicate scent is also always welcome to anyone's senses. Lavender soothes all around, and definitely suites any garden.
3. Jasmine
Like lavender, jasmine makes a great tea and great decorative plant as well. Plant jasmine by your patio, or near the center of the garden fountain. The dainty jasmine flowers complement almost any other plant around them, and their scent is reminiscent of fairy tales and dreams, a great past time to do in your pretty garden!
4. Sweet Woodruff
Another herb with a beautiful flower. Sweet woodruff has a natural musk that picks up in the late afternoons. Plant these closer to your home, maybe line the last step with its flowers. You can also plant this next to your lovage and help its growth along.
5. Basil
Finally, there's basil. It's a good all around herb that is used all the time. If you have a small vegetable patch in your garden, plant basil next to your tomatoes and taste the tomatoes getting sweeter as the basil gets stronger. If pruned right, basil can look like a great plant without many people realizing that it's a garden herb.
As a gardener, there are many ways that you can find herb plants and situate them to make them look like they are regular plants in your garden. It's understandable that not everyone wants an intricate herb garden or a garden that looks like a mini vegetable farm. So check out all the herbs, their flowers, and their heights. Think strategically and you'll find you have many a garden herb you can work with!
Herb gardening is one of the most enjoyable activities or hobbies you can ever take up. Not only does it relieve stress, but the various herbs prove to be very useful around the home too. To learn more about how you can begin your own herb garden, visit My Home Herb Garden
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeannie_Woods
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Herb Planting Supplies
Online or in local gardening store supplies in your area, there are a lot of herb garden kits being sold by the dozen now that there is a newfound awareness of container herb planting. And they're all good. But sometimes, the simplest container for your precious herbs can be found right in the comforts of your own home. (A friend of mine even used a shoe for one of his orchids.)
The fun in container gardening starts here - choosing the pots, cans and containers where your chosen herb will grow in, at least before you try to replant in a bigger area of land. But keep in mind as well that the size, material and shape of your container should be taken into consideration.
And there are lots of containers to choose from - wooden troughs, terra cotta pots, plastic ones, glazed clay pots, hanging baskets, etc. My mom used to save cans from canned tomatoes and she uses it to plant small sprigs of mint before she transplants it to a small garden in the backyard. (Mint spreads easily, so before it does so, she quickly replants it or tries to look for ways to use it - mostly in salads.)
You may also need to have a big planter on hand for those compact herbs. Some of the herbs belonging to this category include common ones such as thyme, marjoram, winter savory, sage, rosemary and chives.
Watering cans should also be a must for your gardening needs. While most herbs need very little or minimal water intake, some actually don't like having water on their leaves. This is why you don't need a sprinkler for these plants. When you water your herbs, water from the bottom near where the roots are.
Sometimes, you would also need small hand-rakes (for easy soil cultivation) and pruners (to prune or cut some branches or leaves to facilitate easier and faster plant growth). Some people prefer fertilizer for their plants, but this is optional if you are growing an herb garden.
But the most important part of your gardening comes not just from your tools, but from your heart as well. It is said that your plants respond to what you feel; so give them a whole lot of loving so that they can repay you with a harvest that you can be so proud of.
Herb planting in the comforts of home. Click on the link for more info.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mitch_Garner
The fun in container gardening starts here - choosing the pots, cans and containers where your chosen herb will grow in, at least before you try to replant in a bigger area of land. But keep in mind as well that the size, material and shape of your container should be taken into consideration.
And there are lots of containers to choose from - wooden troughs, terra cotta pots, plastic ones, glazed clay pots, hanging baskets, etc. My mom used to save cans from canned tomatoes and she uses it to plant small sprigs of mint before she transplants it to a small garden in the backyard. (Mint spreads easily, so before it does so, she quickly replants it or tries to look for ways to use it - mostly in salads.)
You may also need to have a big planter on hand for those compact herbs. Some of the herbs belonging to this category include common ones such as thyme, marjoram, winter savory, sage, rosemary and chives.
Watering cans should also be a must for your gardening needs. While most herbs need very little or minimal water intake, some actually don't like having water on their leaves. This is why you don't need a sprinkler for these plants. When you water your herbs, water from the bottom near where the roots are.
Sometimes, you would also need small hand-rakes (for easy soil cultivation) and pruners (to prune or cut some branches or leaves to facilitate easier and faster plant growth). Some people prefer fertilizer for their plants, but this is optional if you are growing an herb garden.
But the most important part of your gardening comes not just from your tools, but from your heart as well. It is said that your plants respond to what you feel; so give them a whole lot of loving so that they can repay you with a harvest that you can be so proud of.
Herb planting in the comforts of home. Click on the link for more info.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mitch_Garner
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