Herbs may well be one of the oldest and most useful plants that mankind has had the pleasure of discovering. In modern times, herbs have been placed exclusively as irreplaceable aids in the kitchen as spices and flavor enhancers. But did you know that the herbs we use and enjoy now have been in use since the time of the mighty pharaohs of Egypt?
Even during the so-called Dark Ages of Europe saw the rise in importance of herbs (and consequently, spices). The herbs themselves have an assortment of uses, from improving the flavor of a dish to healing common health woes like fever. Herbal plants are also very flexible; they can occupy a small garden plot or they can grow well in small containers located in your windowsill in the kitchen.
Most herbs require light soil that can accommodate some amount of airflow; organic matter should be used if the soil is very dense. As for the amount of sunlight that herbs should receive, we are happy to report that herbs are not fickle with the space that you put them in. Though it would be a good idea to find out whether a particular herb likes the sun more, you can place that plant in a spot in your garden where the afternoon sun is the brightest.
As for diseases and pests, you won’t have to worry much about your herbs. Some low-growing species may receive some unwanted attention from insects like the red spider mites. Aphids, the bane of all plants, can attack caraway and anise during the hottest months of the year.
Are you interested in planting herbs now? You can either go to a reputable grower for some transplants or you can just buy the seeds of the herbs that you want. From hereon you can begin to build a working knowledge of the specific herbs that would later flourish in your garden.
From the sowing to the natural death of the plants, we can assure you that every minute spent in the garden would be time well spent. Now, just make sure that you always protect your herbs from frost or any dips in temperature. A small planter’s box would suffice; place it in your greenhouse alongside other plants. Now, remember that herbs do not require lots of soil to grow well. The smaller the seeds, the shallower the soil must be.
Now, apart from the light, airy soil, it is also important to remember that fertilizers are not a strict requirement for herbs. If you can add natural organic matter like dried manure or compost material that would be fine. You can consult with your horticulturist for special advice if you think your soil’s per hydrogen (pH) level is too alkaline or too acidic.
During the springtime is time to bring out your plants. To prevent transplant shock, you can choose to acclimatize your plants first before leaving them completely outside. Acclimatizing plants for transplant shock prevention can be done by leaving the plants outside until early evening and bringing them back again. However, there are some plants like dill and anise that need to be planted directly unto the garden soil. Check the instructions and care guide at the back of the seed packet to check if this is the case with your own herbs.
What we have given you is just the tip of the iceberg; to become really successful in organic, herbal gardening, you need more practical know-how (and some technical knowledge). Your voyage to the world of herbal gardening starts here; we wish you the best of luck!
