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Herb Garden Plants You Should Grow

Different herbs are classified as annuals, perennials, and biennials. One herb is never the same with another herb. Before growing your own herbs, try to research a little about them so as to understand what you’re going up against. This article will give you a crash course about the various herbs, how to grow them, and what to use them for.

Annual herbs such as basil, cilantro, and summer savory get the name because they find winters too brutal. You have to replace your herb every year. Perennial herbs such as sage and winter savory are the opposite of annual ones – they survive winters. Biennial herbs, on the other hand, are those that grow leaves one season, flowers and seeds the next season, and then die no matter what. Examples of biennial herbs are parsley, angelica, and caraway and should be planted in late springtime outdoors. Soil should have fine texture so you can add some water to it. Sow the seeds shallowly and cover them with firm soil. Fine seeds can be planted in soil mixed with some sand so they can be spread evenly. Wet burlap or paper can be used to cover the seeds after being sown so as to keep the soil moist.

Herbs have primary purposes and it’s where their categories are based out of. Culinary herbs are the most popular, seeing as herb gardeners can make a living out of them. There are a lot of herbs that can be used for cooking. Strong flavored herbs such as chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram are added to dishes in small amounts to add flavor. Parsley, in particular, is very popular as a garnish. There are also herbs that are used for their fragrance. Examples of these aromatic herbs are loyage, mint, and rosemary – grown to extract oil from which in turn are used to make perfumes and scents. The still-intact parts of these same herbs can be used for scenting clothing. There are also herbs can also be dried and used as potpourri where their fragrances are retained for a long time. Lemon verbena and lavender are examples of these herbs. Herbs are also well-known for their medicinal traits. In fact, it was believed by the ancient people that herbs are the ultimate healing ingredients. Today, this is acknowledged by the medical community – for some but not for others. If you look for medicinal herbs, be really careful. There are herbs that should not be consumed.

There are also a category of herbs that aren’t edible, aren’t medicinal, and aren’t aromatic.  These herbs are more of eye candy. Ornamental herbs have bright and noticeable colors as their stronger points. Crimson blossoms and borage of the valerian and the blue flowers of the chicory are some examples.

Culinary herbs often function as medicinal herbs as well. For instance, the herb mint can be used for cooking, tea, and as a pesticide. If you’re looking for herbs to serve a specific purpose, learn about the different kinds of herbs so you know what you can use.

Garden Plant Pots

Whether it be potting up new plants or caring for to established pots, all the effort put in now will pay dividends once summer comes. Here’s what to do to ensure you that will have healthy, blooming containers.

When planting up a new pot select a container that’s at least large enough to hold the plants roots comfortably, and has ample space. Next, add a layer of broken crocks, gravel or polystyrene pieces (which are especially good for large containers as they weigh very little) to provide a good drainage area. Now add a growing medium. Garden soil is unsuitable, a proprietary potting compost should be used, for example, Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Compost, which is great at retaining moisture and also contains a slow release plant food that will act for six months. Note that if you’re planting an acid loving plant like an azalea, you’ll need an ericaceous medium like Miracle-Gro camellia, azalea and rhododendron Compost.

If you’re using regular compost, it makes sense to mix in a water retaining gel such as Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Gel. Not only will a container bound plant require much more water than if grown straight in the ground, but it will also be extremely susceptible to drying out. The gel will therefore provide an extra layer of protection against water loss. Next, dig a hole and plant the plant. To finish off, add a mulch. Anything that will cut down evaporation will do, from bark chips, to brightly coloured glass gravel. Be brave, be creative, there really is a wealth of choice.

Repotting and potting on can help plants that have become pot bound. That is, their roots become densely packed in the pot, meaning that little moisture is retained, and nutrients in the compost will be seriously dimished. If this isn’t addressed quickly, the plants leaves will turn yellow, it will become ill and eventually die. The first thing to decide is whether to transfer the plant to a larger pot (potting on) or, repot back into the same container. This is really dependant on the situation but also choice, but where containers are concerned, bigger is always better.

If potting on, then first take the plant from it’s current pot and work apart compacted roots. Next take the old container, place it in the new one and fill up the extra space around it with potting compost. Remove the old container, and place the plant in the hole. Press down the compost, adding more if need be. Finally, mulch.

If repotting firstly remove the plant from the pot and carefully remove old layers of compost and tease out roots. Next add compost to the bottome and replace the plant back in the container, topping up with more compost as needed. Finally add some mulch to finish off.

Topdressing and feeding is always required. Even established pots that don’t need any drastic action will still need to have nutrients replenished. Top dressing is just the replacement of the top 2.5-5cm of old compost with fresh compost at the start of the growing season. Having topdressed, it’s important to work out and stick to an appropriate feeding plan. Use a slow release plant food such as Miracle-Gro Controlled Release Plant Food which is only required twice per year, also feed every two weeks or so as you wate using Miracle-Gro All Purpose Soluble Plant Food.

Herb Garden Plants ? Mmm Good!

Herbs are the culinary and medicinal plants. These are the low-growing aromatic plants which are used fresh or dried for seasoning, for their medicinal properties, or in perfumes. There are a wide variety of herbs such as super kelp, garlic, parsley, green tea extract, horse chestnut, milk thistle and oregano oil.

Herbs are very useful in strengthening the body and in treating the diseases. However they contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. So, they should be taken on the advice of an herbal practitioner.

Super Kelp

Super kelp (also known as “Sea kelp” and “Sea wrack”) is a sea herb that is one of the best sources of natural iodine and trace elements. It is also used as the principle agent in cures for obesity. In addition, it cleans out the kidneys and stimulates the thyroid and pituitary gland to produce growth hormones.

Garlic

Garlic is a natural anti-biotic and is used to disinfect wounds, treat ear infections, cholera and typhus. This herb is anti-fungal and anti-oxidant agent and can help lower cholesterol. It may also be beneficial for risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and cancer. The excess of garlic can cause upset stomach/flatulence, occupational asthma, postoperative bleeding, bloating, bad breath, body odor, and skin irritation. People with bleeding disorders should not use garlic.

Parsley

Parsley (Petroselinum) is one of the best known, diuretic and most nutritious herbs which contain large quantities of vitamins A, B, C and minerals calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium. It’s very useful for kidney and urinary problems and water retention. Its usefulness can be judged by the saying: “if parsley is thrown into fishponds it will heal the sick fishes therein”.

Green Tea Extract

Green tea extracts are one of the nature’s most powerful anti-oxidants.  It helps prevent both heart disease and cancer by helping prevent vascular blood clotting and reducing cholesterol. It possesses antimicrobial properties that support immune-system health and protects against digestive and respiratory infections. The excess of green tea extracts may cause irritability, insomnia, heart palpitation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and loss of appetite.

Horse chestnut

Horse chestnut supports the vessels of our circulatory system and helps strengthen capillary cells and reduce fluid breakage. It is believed to be an excellent antioxidant to prevent wrinkles. It also helps in the treatments of phlebitis, varicosity and hemorrhoids.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle has some active substances that helps maintain healthy liver function by protecting the liver from damage caused by viruses, toxins and alcohol. It is a herbal remedy for anthrax, asthma, bladder stones, cancer, catarrh, chest ailments, dropsy, fever, bleeding from the lungs or bronchia, hepatitis, rabies, jaundice, vaginal discharge, malaria, melancholy, piles, plague, pleurisy, spasms, and spleen and uterus problems. Taking excess of milk thistle may cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, rash or other skin reactions, joint pain, impotence, and anaphylaxis. It should not be taken in pregnancy and while nursing. 

Oregano Oil

This herb has healing, antioxidant and anti-microbial properties. It is used to treat a mildly upset stomach, bronchitis, nervous tension, insect bites, rheumatism, earache, toothaches and even athlete’s foot. It is also useful in relieve bloating, gas, urinary tract problems, rheumatoid arthritis, swollen glands, and lack of perspiration. In addition, it is as powerful as ‘morphine’ as a pain killer.

These are just a few ways in which you can use herbs.

How To Plant A Vegetable Garden

Wouldn’t it be nice to throw some vegetable seeds on the ground and wake up days later with a small garden?  It might happen in a Walt Disney movie, but in real life a good garden takes some careful planning and it does take work.  What I’m going to do right now is quickly go over some of the basics of starting your very own vegetable garden.  This is what I’m going to call my “how to plant a vegetable garden article.”

Just like anything else in life, it’s worthwhile to have a good plan to make a garden happen.  In other words you should plan the work and then work the plan.  Believe it or not, planting a small vegetable garden is quite simple and it gets easier year after year.  Planting a successful vegetable garden is a skill, that should be passed on from one generation to another, because it not only teaches responsibility, but it also teaches self-preservation.

One of my secrets to planting a garden is to find out how the older people in my area are successfully planting their gardens.  The reason why this is so effective, is because it’s a massive time saver and because they will save you from making the mistakes they first made starting a garden.  Also, you can get some great ideas from older gardeners on how to design your garden.  Take a pad and pen with you and write down what they say and you’ll be a master in know time!

It is vital that you make sure you know what gardening zone you are in and when you buy vegetables seeds, that you actually read the back of the package and follow the instructions.  I know that may sound obvious, but it’s very easy to overlook the instructions on the back of a seed package when you’re excited about planting your garden.  Take a guess what is the most physically demanding part of starting your vegetable garden?  If you guessed preparing the soil you are correct!

I know this may sound like you’re doing a little bit of detective work, but talking to the older gardeners in your community is the wisest thing you can do.  You will be able to find out what vegetables grow best in your area and what ones don’t.  Some vegetables grow great in my area, while others don’t.  For example, in my area we have a hard time growing pumpkins and because of that, I would not be able to win a pumpkin growing contest, but I could win a tomato contest!

When it comes to starting a vegetable garden, you can never know too much and I would encourage anyone to get their hands on a good vegetable gardening guide or to purchase an organic vegetable growing video series.  By self educating yourself this way, you will be prepared to ask the experienced vegetable growers in your community the right questions.  If you start out by growing a small garden, you will have a green thumb in no time.  You can learn my gardening secrets by clicking here!

Organic Gardening Products – A Healthier Option For You And The Garden!

People worldwide are becoming increasingly health conscious and want their food to be naturally grown. They need the fruits and vegetables that they consume not only to be free of chemicals, pesticides and other synthetic products, but also require them to be grown the organic way – treated with natural products, right down to the soil that they have been planted in.

This new organic frenzy has arisen because people now think about what harmful effects the chemicals and pesticides sprayed in their food crop must have done over the years. People want a healthier lifestyle now and are more aware on how to make it like that. Research has shown support to the organic theory which also points out to the adverse effects of using synthetic products and pesticides in the food crops, i.e. fruits and vegetables – among these include the root causes of many diseases, including some types of cancer.

An organic gardening product is a natural product that is free of any synthetic components such as chemicals and pesticides. Organic methods use alternatives to chemically made pesticides – they use natural products which are home grown and prove beneficial to the plants without any of the adverse effects of chemicals involved in any part of the process. They create a healthy cycle in which by keeping pests away naturally, they make plants healthy, thereby increasing the plants’ immunity to diseases, thus enhancing the health of the plants.

This is akin to the human immune system. Organic gardening products are not restricted to just the plants or the soil that they are planted in, but everything that affects the plant and/or is around the plant (the environment). Even everything that touches the plant is inclusive of this. Examples include gloves for weeding and planting, plant food, aprons, seeds, compost products, etc. Organically grown plants do not contain any harmful and dangerous chemicals and are overall healthier than their counterparts who are sprayed with pesticides and chemicals, not to mention other synthetic products.

This type of natural and organic gardening is healthier for both the human population, community and the environment at large. People are now much more concerned about what quality of food they are consuming and organic gardening is a boon for the health conscious eater, saving him or her from chemically induced allergies, lung problems, cancer or emphysema. Organic gardening is the modern answer to this very urgent demand of healthy and completely natural, chemical free food.

A Basic Guide to Herb Garden Plants

Before you begin planting your herb garden, you will need to know basic information about herb plants in general. Garden herbs, like other plants, may be annuals, perennials, or biennials. Each one has certain growing characteristics that may determine its placement in the garden. You also need to be aware of growing requirements, the specific uses of the herb, and generally how to harvest it.

Examples of annuals, plants that mature in one year, then die, are basil, cilantro and summer savory. These can be planted from seed or purchased as starter plants yearly. Biennials like parsley, caraway or angelica grow foliage the first season, and next year will bear flowers and seeds. Some examples of perennials are sage, tarragon, thyme and oregano. These return year after year, and most will survive colder temperatures. Many perennial herbs grow quite large, so you may need only one or two plants.

You can start your herbs from seed by sowing them in late winter in flats of fine loose soil or in starter  pots. Some, like parsley and cilantro are better planted directly into the garden. Always ensure your soil is moist and fine, as well as loose. Herbs don’t like to be in wet soggy soil. Mix fine seeds with some sand, so they spread out better. Check the seed packages for any specific planting requirements.

We categorize herbs by how they are mainly used. Some herbs will appear in more than one category. Culinary herbs, the most commonly grown ones, are used mainly to add zest to your meals. The most commonly known culinary herbs are parsley, chives, thyme, basil, oregano, savory, rosemary, tarragon and dill.

Another group of herbs that are related to culinary herbs are those grown for teas or tisanes. Many fragrant herbs make wonderful herbal teas, for aiding relaxation, sleep, or even energizing you. Mint is probably the most common tea herb, but others such as  sage, thyme, chamomile, bergamot and lemon verbena also make delicious herb teas. These can be used alone or in combinations, fresh or dried. You’ll be guided by personal taste in choosing tea herbs.

Other herbs are grown for their aromatic flowers and foliage. They are used to make fragrant oils, potpourris, and sachets. For example, you can refresh your linen closet or your clothes drawers with sprigs or sachets of dried lavender or mint flowers and leaves. Fragrant herbs such as  lemon verbena, rosemary, mint and even rose petals are often used in commercial cosmetics, soaps and toilet waters.

Another group of herbs you may wish to grow are used to enhance health. Many of these have a long history of use in folk medicine. These herbal preparations were once the only medications used, and in some countries, they are still the only available treatments. Many medicines we use today are derived from natural plants. Some commonly recognized medicinal herbs are arnica, calendula, fennel, sage, valerian and echinacea. Before using herbs as curatives, you must familiarize yourself with their properties, and study how to correctly use them.

We also can grow herbs because they are beautiful, and add to our visual enjoyment. Lavender is often grown for its spikes of lavender flowers, echinacea for its bold orange and purple blooms, and varieties of sage for red or blue blossoms and dusty green foliage. Who hasn’t seen creeping blankets of thyme draping over rock gardens, with a blush of tiny purple flower spikes.

Many herbs mentioned will overlap into different groups, since they are grown for different uses. The best example, mint, is used for cooking, tea, cosmetics and pest control. No matter your reason for starting your own home herb garden, by understanding how different plants are used, you will be able to choose the right herbs just for you.

Garden Plants For Fall Color

When we think of gardens, most people picture a spring or summer garden. Very few, and they are the experienced avid gardeners, can picture a garden in Fall. Any successful garden design should incorporate plants that add color and interest through foliage or structure during spring and summer but also put on a spectacular color show when other plants are beginning to fade. Following are a few of the tried and true perennials that are guaranteed to keep your garden vibrant throughout Fall.

Sedum Autumn Joy

This is a true classic perennial and should be in every garden. It grows in full sum to part shade and requires very little care. Cutting back dead stalks in the spring is all it needs. It works great in mass at the front of a border where the succulent like dark green leaves add interest throughout the summer. In late Summer it begins to grow flower heads that look like broccoli which then begin to turn pink, then red and finally rust colored as it moves through Fall. The flower heads make great dried flowers for using in arrangements.

Pineapple Sage (Salvia Elegans)

Pineapple Sage, because of its height 36″ to 48″, needs a lot of space but does well at the back of a border. If planted at the back though, make sure it has plenty of room to grow as it has a tendency to spread and cover up smaller perennials growing in front of it. Being one of the few plants that can actually handle full sun in the south and still does well in partial shade, makes it ideal for most areas except those with full shade. Although this plant is wonderful in a perennial bed, being in the sage family it is also great for cooking.

Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium Maculatum)

Joe Pye Weed is a spectacular addition for the back of perennial border. You may have seen it growing wild by the side of the road and didn’t realize what it was, but once you see this plant growing in a garden you will have to have it in yours. Joe Pye Weed will grow to a height of 5 to 8 feet. There are several dwarf varieties now available if you don’t have the space for taller varieties. The strong erect stems are wine red and clothed in toothed leaves. Beginning in late Summer to early Fall, atop the sturdy stems you get a flower head of individual blossoms that draw the remaining butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. Because of its height, you may want to consider staking your plants because the blossoms can bend them over. Also, cutting the plant partially back in June can delay the blossoming and possibly make for a shorter plant but this is not necessary to do as a matter of normal growing.

Hardy Mums Chrysanthemum

Every year, eager homeowners rush out at the first hint of cold weather to buy pots of mums only to have the flowers fade in a week. Although these are fine for a show of color on a porch, the real show of fall color comes from hardy mums planted in a perennial bed which, year after year, feature delicious blooms in a 2- to 3-foot-tall, free-form habit. They require very little care, cutting back the dead stalks in early spring and cutting them back to half their size in early July. Garden mums are hardy from Zones 3 to 9. They prefer organic, well-drained soil sited in full sun in the North and at least half a day of sun in the South. A one gallon pot of hardy mums can easily spread to a size of 3 feet by 3 feet in a year and, unlike potted mums, they can provide flowers for a month.

Aster

Asters come in many varieties, sizes from short to tall and many colors, with shades of purple being predominant. Asters are great as a companion plant to Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan). In early Fall, the purple flowers of the Aster are wonderful mixed in with the fading yellow blooms of the Rudbeckia. Asters are one of the ‘must haves’ in a fall garden due to the numerous and long lasting flowers. In the South they prefer part shade although they can handle quite a bit of sun when grown in fertile well drained soil. Asters require little care, cutting back dead stalks in early spring and cutting back about one half of the growth in early July. Most Asters have a clumping style of growth so they will require dividing every 2 or 3 years. Failure to divide can lead to a decline in growth and blooming.

Montauk Daisy

White in the garden is always wonderful, but it seems especially so in Fall when so few plants are blooming. As with many of the Fall blooming perennials, Montauk Daisies require minimal care. Cutting back the dead stakes in spring leaves a low growing green foliage. This makes it ideal for planting with Daffodils and Tulips which die back just as the Montauk begins to put up its’ stalks. If cut back again in early June and a gentler cutting back in early July, the result is a three foot high plant resembling a shrub which becomes covered in white flowers in Fall. Montauks can handle full sun, but love a little afternoon shade in the South.

Japanese Anemones

Japanese Anemones are a special plant because they fill two very common voids in a garden, they bloom in the Fall and bloom in the shade. They come in a variety of rich shades of purple, pink and mauve. These should be in every southern garden, but just beware, they have a tendency to spread. It is not uncommon for gardeners to remove half of the previous year’s growth each spring. They grow in just about any soil condition as long as it is not waterlogged, are shade loving and can survive considerable neglect. If the winters are severe, they appreciate being mulched.

Starting A Vegetable Garden – How To Make Your Vegetable Garden Work For You

Starting a vegetable garden can be one of the most rewarding past times you will ever have. Gardens can provide you and your family with fresh, organic and healthy vegetables every day of the year. With the right planning, starting a vegetable garden will require less work than may think.

Starting a vegetable garden at home does not require a lot of space to provide wholesome food you can harvest daily. First you must decide where to plant your vegetables, a plot. Look for an area that will provide plenty of morning sun and away from other plants or trees that can create problems such as taking vital nutrients away from your vegetables.

Starting a Vegetable Garden – Checklist

- Soil Testing (pH test)
- Garden Lime
- Organic Fertilizers (Manure/Blood & Bones or Compost)
- Seeds/Seedlings
- Seed Raising Mix

Testing & Preparing Your Soil
You must prepare your soil by digging and turning it over. Look to remove any waste material and weeds by hand, stay away from chemicals such as weed killers and other pest killers as they effect the quality of your soil. Take 4 soil samples (4 spots from your plot) to you local gardening outlet for pH testing. Your local gardening expert will advise whether you will need to purchase supplies such as garden lime to get your soil to the ideal pH level of 6.5, wait at least one month before you begin planting your vegetables.

Planting Tips
You can purchase seeds or seedlings for a great price. You should plant your vegetables north/south to allow for the maximum sun exposure whilst limiting the amount of shade. Make sure you do not plant taller vegetables in a position where they will block other vegetables from receiving sufficient sunlight.

Allow 50cm or 1.5 feet between planted/sown rows. The packet on your seeds should provide you information on the space you should provide, deep to sow and when to sow based on your climate zone. Seed raising mix will help your seeds alone nicely and should definitely be used.

Maintenance & Health
The health of your vegetable garden is all about planning. Ensure you use organic fertilisers such as animal manure or compost to provide plenty of nutrients for your vegetable garden. Vegetables love water and soil moisture so make sure you provide enough water but do not water log your garden in the process.

Starting a vegetable garden is about having the right set up and proper planning, by starting a vegetable garden at home you will be able to provide fresh food for you and your family for years to come. Imagine the feelings of growing fresh food at home, it’s one of great pleasures in life.