Herbs are relatively easy to grow. They flourish in most soils and spread quickly. Add compost to the soil and mulch on top, to feed and protect your herbs.
Herbs can be a lovely addition to the garden, both for their culinary uses and their fragrant, attractive presence. Many herbs are perennial and, if tended and harvested, will continue to grow and flourish in the garden for years. Annual herbs will produce seed to save for the next year, so that an herb garden may grow on.
Herbs can either be grown from seed, right in the garden, or in a container or started inside and transplanted later, as the weather warms. Many herbs can be taken from cuttings or portions of the roots and transplanted into fresh soil.
Most herbs are quite tolerant of poor soil and will grow well where other plants will not. They will grow in dry, sandy soils and even in gravelly places. However, drainage remains an important factor for most herb root systems so heavy clay soil should be amended in order for herbs to really take off. Tilling in compost or manure will help lighten the tilth of the soil and make it easier for roots to penetrate. To fertilize your herb garden, add a layer of compost in the spring.
It is a good idea to mulch your herbs. This will keep them clean, for culinary use, and will prevent weed growth. Try mulching with grass clippings, straw or hay for a clean protective layer underneath all your herbs. For winter, a thicker layer of mulch should be applied to protect the root systems during the cold months.
Herbs may also be grown in containers. This has several advantages. For one, they can be placed near the kitchen or the back door, for easy harvest around dinner time. The gardener with little space can still have herbs in pots. A small herb plant will generally suffice for the needs of even the most avid cooks. Another advantage to growing your herbs in containers is to, as the name suggests, contain them. Many herbs, such as mint (Metha sp.) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), will spread quickly in the garden and, if they are not controlled, can easily take over a space. These vigorous perennials spread through their roots and, in a short amount of time, take over entire beds. If you love mint tea and you have plenty of space, this is not a problem! However, for the gardener without lots of room, measures must be taken. The container is an easy fix to that problem. If these spreaders are planted in the garden, sections of the plant can be dug up and transplanted elsewhere, or given away to friends and neighbors, leaving a smaller plant behind.
Many herbs, because of their strong smells and high percentage of volatile oils, repel insects and animals who might try to harm them. This, coupled with their ability to grow in poor soil and generally rapid growth patterns, makes them an easy addition to the garden! Not only do they add their beauty and scent to the atmosphere, they provide a delicious culinary additive of unparalleled freshness and flavor.
