Starting A Home Herb Garden
Cultivating an herb garden can be a great experience and bring one a deep sense of accomplishment. Having a home herb garden allows you to connect with nature in an organic way. Many have often expressed that when nurturing their garden it brings them “peace and serenity on earth.” Herbs can be grown indoors, outdoors, in a container, cup or a small pot to name a few. There are really no limits to how your garden can be grown; it is essentially left up to the gardener’s imagination. The best part is that it is not a difficult task. In fact, it can be a therapeutic and fulfilling experience for an experienced or novice gardener.
One might ask, “where do I begin or how do I start my very own herb garden?” Well, first you want to ask yourself a few simple questions, for instance, what type of herbs you want to grow and for what purpose. Many people grow herbs for medicinal, culinary or aromatic purposes. If the aforementioned are some of your initial questions, and in particular for a novice gardener, it is important to know the life cycles as well as the type of herbs you have option to begin with. Like other plants, herbs come in, annuals, biennials and perennials. Let’s start with annuals, the life cycles of annuals are from seed to seed or one complete growing season. Some herbs in the annual family include: basil, cayenne, chamomile, dill, garlic, coriander and borage
Next, we have biennials, hence the prefix (bi), these herbs go two whole years before completing a life cycle. A few herbs in the biennial family are: parsley, evening primrose, caraway and angelica.
The next type would be perennials; perennials have a continuous life cycle and will return each year. Some herbs in the perennial family are: mint, sage, thyme, lavender and Echinacea.
I find that people enjoy all types of herb and for many different reasons. Imagine cultivating your very own culinary herbs and being able to spice up your favorite dish with oregano, parsley, mint or garlic straight from your own garden. You may also be inclined to growing your own medicinal herbs. Medicinal herbs have been used for thousands of years to organically treat just about any ailment that you can imagine. An herb such as chamomile has been used to treat inflammation and reduce stress. Echinacea is used to strengthen the immune system and then you have garlic which is used to fight infection.
Aromatic herbs are really fun to work with too! If you are into making your own perfumes or oils, aromatic herbs can be a gardener’s playground. I personally love the blend of lavender and rosemary. Some use aromatic herbs as potpourri for the home, some use it to freshen linen. I tell you, there is so very much that you can do with herbs, I get excited just sharing the many options and ideas available. I have shared some very general and basic ideas here, but there are literally hundred of things you can do with herbs. Whichever route you choose to take in cultivating your very own herb garden will be one of the best, most fulfilling experiences of a lifetime.
Here’s To Your Gardening Success!
Janet Suzalski
