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Herb Gardening Tips For Beginners |
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When first learning how to garden, herbs are a great way to start. Herbs are not demanding as they do well in less than perfect soil and do not require the same special care as other plants. Many are not susceptible to insects, and do not need be trimmed as regularly. The following basic herb gardening tips will provide you with a good base to get started on an herb garden:
by LeeDobbins
When first learning how to garden, herbs are a great way to start. Herbs are not demanding as they do well in less than perfect soil and do not require the same special care as other plants. Many are not susceptible to insects, and do not need be trimmed as regularly. The following basic herb gardening tips will provide you with a good base to get started on an herb garden:
After making your choice of the herbs to grow, the next step is to ensure that you have the appropriate tools to properly care for your new plants. The two main tools you will need are a small shovel/spade and a spike or fork. If you are planting from cuttings, you can use the shovel to create a small hole. If you choose to start from seeds, you will only need to dig just below the surface. For seed planting, you will use a spike or fork for aeration of compact soil because herbs do better when they have good drainage.
Intermittent pruning is helpful in optimizing herb growth. A pair of quality pruning shears is a necessity, as ordinary scissors that work well for smaller, more flexible materials, will not work as swiftly or easily as a pair of pruning shears when it comes to woody stems and other jobs.
Using a watering can may be a good means of watering your herbs and is one of the most basic herb gardening tips. The best type of watering can to use is one that has a spout with a series of small holes (as opposed to one with a single, wider opening). This type of can allows you to better regulate the amount of water you are providing your plants. This is important, for the most common mistake people make is to over water their herbs.
Watering cans may be suitable for herbs planted in pots and small areas. But for bigger gardens, an automatic water system that would save you time and money would prove indispensable. Although, it may require replacement every couple of years, a simple and inexpensive drip or soaker hose system can be easily established for the purpose.
One thing about hoses is that they can get damaged in cold weather. The frost will crack and break them. However, they can be spread across a large area in a short amount of time. Simply snake them between your plants and turn on the water. Just remember to take your hose inside when winter comes.
A wheelbarrow is one of the most useful accessories to your garden; it is handy for transporting weeds and moving garden cuttings from place to place as you carry out maintenance tasks- that way everything is in one place when it comes to bagging cuttings at the end of the day.
After planting, a 3-4 inch thick pile of mulch can be applied around the base of the plant. Mulch, which can be made from a combination of wood chips, bark, leaves, gravel, or even shredded newspapers, will not only minimize weeding later but also helps enhance soil fertility. It is just necessary, however, to leave about an inch in diameter of space around the base when applying mulch so as to avoid any excess buildup of moisture and heat that may cause unnecessary damage to the plant.
As you can see, these basic herb gardening tips are not difficult at all. Purchasing some good quality tools to use as well as some seeds is a fine beginning point. Then you'll need to find a spot of nice soil and start planting!
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