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Posts Tagged ‘herb garden’

Fresh Herbs In The Home

If you want to grow fresh herbs there is no better way than in your own home. To be able to grow fresh herbs in your home means a lot of things like being able to use fresh herbs for cooking as well as having your own herb garden for aesthetic and practical purposes. Their appearance can brighten up any kitchen as many do not grow very big and often have colorful foliage. They are easy to manage as indoor plants as they thrive when cultivated. Click here for more information on growing your own fresh herbs: Grow Fresh Herbs

Fresh Herbs In Pots

Fresh herbs can be cultivated in pots inside your own home with the right conditions. You will, however, need to be careful at which ones to plant in pots as some need more room than others ie. Sesame. Some home owners grow fresh herbs in their homes not only for cooking purposes but also for medicinal and aesthetic purposes. Many of these botanicals have healing and medicinal properties which make them handy to have in the house while others can be cooked directly from the stem to the pan.

Always use a potting mix in your containers to get the best from you fresh herbs. Common ‘dirt’ might not have the right nutrients in the right amount  for getting the best results. Potting mix on the other hand has the right mixture for growth and development of plants. To be able to grow fresh herbs well, it should also be an organic way of doing so. Don’t use chemical pesticides for obvious reasons. Most fresh herbs also like a sunny spot in the house or garden like windowsill rather than an alcove. Click here for more information on growing your own fresh herbs indoors: Growing Fresh Herbs at Home

Plots In The Garden

Growing these botanicals in a garden plot, no matter how small is a great way to grow fresh herbs for various purposes. Garden plots can have more soil than pots and these are exposed to the sun and rain constantly. To grow fresh herbs this way is similar to growing them in a pot inside your home except that garden plots are fixed and not movable. You also have the option of planting several of these beneficial plants together in a plant box, especially those with remarkable flowers and foliage.

Fresh Herbs offer many advantages grown in the home like ease of use when cooking or treating minor cuts and aliments. They look nice too!

Click here for more information on growing your own herbs: Herb Garden Guide

Window Herb Garden

Why Choose a Window Box Herb Garden

If you want to grow your own herbs, a window herb garden can be fun and rewarding and save you money. Any professional chef or even part time, for fun chefs can tell you that the most costly ingredients in any dish are the herbs. You may only use a pinch of this and a dash of that but initially you have to buy a whole container which is not cheap.

That’s why many people choose to grow their own herbs. Not everyone has the luxury of having a plot of land in order to grow regular herbs, Chinese herbs or any other types of herbs, so many have to resort to growing them right in their windows. For more informantion on Herbs and herb gardening visit Window Herb Garden

Window herb gardens require only a pot to put the herbs in, of course the seeds, some fertilizer or just plain dirt, some water and a lot of love and attention. Herbs aren’t very difficult to grow. As long as you pay attention to them and give them lots of water when they look a little dry, and you put them in a window that gets a lot of sunshine, you’ll soon see that your herbs will grow big and strong without you really needing to do anything at all.

Adding Color

The best part about having a window herb garden, except for the fact that you’ll have a healthy supply of herbs for all your cooking needs, is that you will add color to your windows. Lush greens, whites and yellows and other beautiful colors is what will flourish when you start to grow your own herbs in a window herb garden. The only difficult part is actually having to grow them! For more informantion on Herbs and herb gardening click here: Windowsill Herbs

How To Start

If you don’t have a green thumb and you have no idea how to grow anything at all, even weeds, then you should do a little research first. Some stores may sell pre planted herbs that all you have to do is add water to have them grow. But you should be able to look up herb growing on the internet to get all the tips and tricks you’ll ever need to grow all your favorite herbs in your own window herb garden.

It then becomes just as easy to get your own pot, seeds and soil and do it yourself. Once completed you can sit back and watch your herbs grow in your window herb garden. This way you should always  have a good supply of your own flavorful herbs to use in the kitchen. They smell pretty good too!

For more informantion on Herbs and Herb Gardening visit our homepage :The Herb Garden Guide and grab yourself a free herb garden mini course.

You can open up some wonderful opportunities by growing herbs in an Italian herb garden. Italy has some of the best and most well known herbs in the world.  And herbs have an important role at least in a small way to contributing to popular Italian dishes.

Basil is a well know Italian herb and useful in many Italian recipes. Not only will it add flavor to many menus it is also very useful to other plants in your garden. Planting Basil next to your peppers and tomatoes will actually improve their flavor. In addition it will also help to keep away annoying flies and mossies. Click here for more: italian dried herbs

Parsley is a relatively hard herb plant to grow but it is useful in not only Italian dishes but many other types of cuisines. Fresh parsley also used to be used for refreshing the breath after an appetizing meal. The tradition arose to serve parsley on a small dish after the meal.  That is why today many of us use parsley as a garnish to our food.

Oregano is as decorative as it is flavorful.  The mature plant will show little purple flowers.  Remember that Oregano should not be freshly used until it has  fully blossomed because this is when it is at it’s flavorsome best.

Fennel is famous for its seeds that grace and enhance the flavors of Italian sausage.  Fennel, unlike Oregano, looses its essence with age. It is a perennial plant that should be divided and replanted every few years to savor its flavor. For more visit our blog: Herb Gardens Blog

Rosemary is another Italian herb, much like Basil, that is valuable to other garden plants.  IT sprouts little blue flowers and grows into a large shrub. It helps the garden by attracting bees. Although it is a tough evergreen perennial, it is sensitive to frost.

Probably the most used herb in Italian cuisines is garlic. And no Italian herb garden would be complete without garlic.  They need little attention once planted and will thrive in most gardens. They can be easily stored in the freezer or refrigerator once harvested and used at will.

Another herb used in Italian dishes from salads and meats is Sage. With Sage, it is the new shoots that are the most tasty so it is recommended to trim the plant regularily. Therefore, new shoots will be encouraged to grow.  Sage can be harvested after it blooms.

While there are many more herbs that canbe put to good use in your Italian herb garden, it is important to think about which ones you will use. Think about the growing conditions each plant needs and consider whether or not you can provide them. Yes, Italian herbs add flavor to food but they should also be looked at as more then that. Take their scenic role in landscaping. They can be displayed for color and their aroma.

By planting Italian herbs amongst other plants, you will be graced with the sweet aromas straight from Italy. It will be like taking a stroll on a Italian hill side. Click here for more: Herb Gardens

Going With The French Style

Although the French style of growing an herb garden, is in long rows of built troughs with every imaginable herb possible to be used in their own kitchens. A person can create herb garden of choice from its own either from own home and it is not so difficult. If you do have some space you could plant your herb garden in tiers, making more ground space available to work from, and if you have a large plot, you too could smaller troughs to put your own herbs in.

Amount Of Space Makes A Huge Difference While Creating Herb Garden

If you are in a tiny space with no land to plant any herbs or plants in you could create your own little indoor herb garden on your windowsill. Since every herb garden has to have the basics of parsley in it, it should be planted separately to the others if you have a sprinkler system going over it. Parsley just as lavender is just some of those plants that actually don’t want water all over it; just the soil needs to stay moist.

There are so many little tricks that need to be learnt when you do create your own little herb garden, with some plants needing to be picked, twisted, some ripped and others snipped, depending on what they are, over time you will see why this is so. If you do notice what you have truly planted in the garden, the fruits of the herbs that you use will be different, and this is why they need to be handled differently. If you have a shrub such as rosemary in your herb garden, you would have to realise that when you trim the shrub from the base upward, it would grow taller faster, and from the trimmings make your own dried rosemary.

Critters And Insecticides

Keeping critters out of your herb garden can be quite a mission at times, and it is also important to know what products in your home can be used to keep them at bay. For snails in your herb garden, sprinkle some kitchen salt lightly over them. For aphids on your plants make a light mixture of dishwashing liquid and water and spray them off the plants.

However now and then you may have to get something stronger from the nursery if you cannot source a concoction over the Internet to get rid of some pests in your garden, just make sure if you have used these products to wash the herbs off properly before using them in your home.

Although the French style of growing an herb garden, is in long rows of built troughs with every imaginable herb possible to be used in their own kitchens. Creating the herb garden of you choice is not that difficult to do on your own either from your own home. If you do have some space you could plant your herb garden in tiers, making more ground space available to work from, and if you have a large plot, you too could smaller troughs to put your own herbs in.

Amount Of Space Makes A Huge Difference In Herb Garden

You can take advantage of your windowsill if you live in a small place with no spare space to grow plants of your choice. Since every herb garden has to have the basics of parsley in it, it should be planted separately to the others if you have a sprinkler system going over it. Parsley like it,s counterpart lavender actually does not require water all over it; just the soil needs to stay moist.

There are so many little tricks that need to be learnt when you do create your own little herb garden, with some plants needing to be picked, twisted, some ripped and others snipped, depending on what they are, over time you will see why this is so. If you do notice what you have truly planted in the garden, the fruits of the herbs that you use will be different, and this is why they need to be handled differently. If you have a shrub such as rosemary in your herb garden, you would have to realise that when you trim the shrub from the base upward, it would grow taller faster, and from the trimmings make your own dried rosemary.

Critters And Insecticides For Herb Gardens

Keeping critters out of your herb garden can be quite a mission at times, and it is also important to know what products in your home can be used to keep them at bay. For snails in your herb garden, sprinkle some kitchen salt lightly over them. For aphids on your plants make a light mixture of dishwashing liquid and water and spray them off the plants.

However now and then you may have to get something stronger from the nursery if you cannot source a concoction over the Internet to get rid of some pests in your garden, just make sure if you have used these products to wash the herbs off properly before using them in your home.

Herbs can be a beautiful addition to your garden. They don’t just look good, they also smell wonderful. And of course they’re useful, both for adding flavor to your cooking and for their therapeutic benefits. There are so many different kinds of herbs to choose from. Basil and oregano are a couple of the species that are well suited to cooking. There are also certain plants that are used for medicinal purposes like chamomile and lavender. When it comes to herb gardening, the choice is up to you and your tastes.

Most herbs are easy to grow and will flourish with very little maintenance. Among the many kinds of herbs, you’re sure to find at least one that will suit whatever location you have in mind for it. They are ideal as edging around a bed of flowers, tucked into a rock garden, or as an aromatic accent to a container garden.

Plus, they have so many uses. You can grow them outside in the summer and inside in the cold months. Summer is when you’ll grow them outside, but if you have a nice sunny spot in your home, you can enjoy them year round indoors. Lots of people like to set their indoor herbs outside when it’s warm, where they’ll be even more bountiful. Others like to get a head start on their outdoor herb garden by starting seeds inside in late winter. Just make sure that the herbs you select can be easily replanted with no harmful effects.

You can plant herbs in most sunny locations outside. They’ll grow equally well in a tiny corner of the property or in your veggie patch. You can plant them in neat rows or in a decorative pattern that will give your landscape an aromatic beauty.

Before you start planting, watch the intended location over a couple of days to be certain that it gets the right amount of sun. As well, avoid any really wet locations on your property. And keep in mind that if you plan on using your herbs for cooking, locating them near to the house will make it easier to step outdoors and snip off what you need.

Use caution, however, since not all herbs will grow in all climate zones. But the majority will flourish under generally acceptable conditions. However, if you’re uncertain about whether specific herbs are suitable for your area, check with your local nursery.

There are any number of different herbs, so it won’t be hard to find one that suits the location you have in mind. That makes it so easy to enjoy their fresh flavor and aroma year round.

If you have cultivated an herb garden outside all summer and into the fall, you are probably disappointed that winter is so quickly approaching. You know the nutritional and health benefits to eating natural and fresh foods, and you do not want to have to stop gardening your own herbs. Do not dismay! You can easily bring your herb garden inside of your home for the winter. You can plant a windowsill garden right in your kitchen! By doing this, you can have fresh herbs all winter long.

Herbs Preparation

In order to successfully move your herbs into your home, you will have to have a windowsill that is in a sunny area. The best place to put your windowsill herb garden is a windowsill that gets at least five hours of sunlight per day and has minimal drafts. Often times a south or southeast facing window is perfect. Then you should purchase your favorite herb plants. Make sure that these are smaller plants as the area you will be planting them in is probably not as big as your outdoor space. Afterwards, find a container that is near about half a foot to a foot deep. Take a long container if you are planting multiple herbs. For individual plants, you will need the pot to be at least six inches deep. Plant your herbs in the pots just as you would plant them outside (many gardeners have very specific ways that they plant their gardens, from different top soils to various potting mixes!).

Caring For Your Herbs

Once you have your herbs planted and set in the windowsill, make sure that you remember to care for them. However, do not over do it. While they were outside you probably did not have to worry about watering them, but make sure that you water them on occasion when they are in your windowsill garden. But remember, herbs do not flourish in wet soil. In addition, you can feed your herbs once a month with a specific fertilizer that says it is safe for use on edibles. Remember, you have to allow your plants some time to get used to their new setting. Do not cut them until you see new growth. Otherwise your plants will not flourish.

Tips For Your Indoor Herb Garden

First, make sure that you are choosing appropriate herbs for your indoor herb garden. You do not wish to have herbs that grow very tall or wide. Second, if you do not have any sunny windows, use a fluorescent light and keep it on for about ten hours a day. Also, make sure it is close to the plants, about eighteen inches away. Third, make sure that you do not trim any more than a third of your plant’s foliage. Additionally, often trimming them will encourage them to grow more, however make sure that there is new growth before you clip away!

Here are a few gardening tips that should work well for you. Looking for gardening tips? You should know: how much sunlight the plot is going to have, fertilizer types, your mulch and soil management. The tools necessary along with the type of tiller and watering system that would make your gardening job more convenient are things which you ought to know.

Herb Gardening Tips

This helps you to save much time. Having a friend to help you with advice is a good idea and then having the area in front of you will really get the brainstorming started. You should consider all the points.

Gardening Tip #2: The garden is a success if the soil is prepared well. Remember that different plants need different types of soil. For growing vegetables or herbal plants, use organic fertilizers as they would not affect the natural flavor of the food. Wooden chip mulch or any good compost would be a better choice than ordinary fertilizer.

You could easily have a backyard compost heap. Though fresh home brew compost is a rich source of nutrients, it may not be as realistic as one imagines, for the herbal and vegetable garden. Though mulch is a good alternative to home compost mixture, ensure that you use redwood or pine as it breaks faster. Ensure that you mix the ingredients well whether you prefer to use mulch, compost or fertilizer.

Herb Gardening Advice

Just lay them out ion top of the soil and check whether you like what you see. I firmly believe it is wise to plant plants together that have similar characteristics. Plants with larger spread should be planted together. A great arrangement is to put the taller pants at the back and the smaller ones in the front, then you can see them all at once.

Gardening Adivce

Gardening Tip 4: Watering your garden is very important. Depending on the size of your house, watering a garden can be tough. An automatic watering system is a wise alternative, if you want your garden to grow on its own. Ranging from a big sprinkler system to a timer on a hose sprinkler, these automatic systems can provide the solution. Using gardening as a hobby is very rewarding, providing shade, beauty as well as food too!