Saturday, June 2, 2018

Start a kitchen herb garden!



Saturday, June 2, 2018

If you are just starting gardening, an herb garden is a great place to start.  Most common herbs are perennials and do well being neglected.  Want full bodied flavor in your cooking on the cheap-just add fresh herbs.  What can be better than that!

Now, you just have to decide what type of herb garden to you want?  It could be a medicinal herb garden, a fragrant herb garden, a Victorian herb garden, a French herb garden, a culinary herb garden, and the choices go on.

So, what are the herbs you should start with?  A basic culinary herb garden would include parsley, basil, chives, French tarragon, sorrel, sage, dill, oregano/marjoram, and thyme. 

Of these, parsley, basil and dill are annuals, the rest are perennials.  With perennials, you plant once and you get to enjoy them for a lifetime.  Parsley and dill will likely “self sow”, meaning their seeds will sprout into a plant next year.  Basil will have to be replanted each year when all danger of frost has passed.

You can pick up your herb plants at any big box store or for more fun varieties, go to your nearest nursery or for the more adventuresome, start unique varieties from seed.  There are many options out there.  I prefer getting my herb plants from a local organic nursery or trying new types from seed catalogues. 

You can buy an entire plant for less than the cost of one tiny bottle of dried herbs.  Herbs are easy to preserve; just dry them.  Cut the herbs back in mid summer and put in a paper bag.  Do not pack tightly, pack loosely so that the herbs do not mold.  Put in a warm, dry place out of direct sunlight if possible and a few weeks later you will be rewarded with enough herbs for your cooking and all your relatives for the entire year!   Make your own "Herbes de Provence"

To get varieties that even your nursery does not have, order seed.  I have phenomenal luck with the Aerogarden seed starter.  The germination rate is near 100% using it.  The best time to start new herbs is in the spring.  All plants are primed for growth in spring.  However, herbs will do fine being planted in summer.   Indoor seed starting tips

I am still starting seeds in pots and peat pods to transplant in the garden.  Just be sure to harden off your transplants before putting into the garden.  Once transplanted, give them extra water the first week or two if the temperatures are hot.  Outdoor seed starting tips  

You can even make your own peat pots for your seeds.  Make your own peat pots  If you are really industrious, you can make your own potting soil and fertilizer!  Make your own organic potting soil  Make your own all natural, complete fertilizer

Most herbs like full sun and dry feet.  Too much water is about the only thing that will kill an herb plant.  I plant mine amongst the flowers and near the back door for optimum convenience for cooking.  You can also grow in pots if you like and put right at the door!

3 comments:

  1. You're absolutely correct. They sure are expensive. And, if you're going to grow things, why not make them something you can eat and save money. Great idea.
    Full sun & dry Feet. I like that.
    And, I bet there are people who could make use of space using their neighbors balcony above them too. Lots of hanging ideas that are visually interesting these days.

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    Replies
    1. So true! Using vertical space can be a great way to grow more veggies and herbs. Who said hanging baskets are just for ornamentals? Cascading herbs and fruiting veggies are beautiful, too. Even if you live in an apartment, some apartment owners allow tenants to have a garden if well tended.

      In urban and suburban areas, many offer community gardens and church gardens. A great way to expand your garden space and new friends.

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  2. This is a really cool post. I love this kitchen. It is completely the style that would fit me.best instant coffee consumer reports

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