Planting herbs is not only a wonderful way to add color and aroma to your garden, but also can be a good way to decrease the amount of chemicals you use on your lawn. This is especially important if you are interested in growing herbs for consumption. However, perennial herbs such as Rosemary and oregano don’t go along very well with lawn mowers, so it might be more practical to plant them in your garden when they are young and just starting to bloom.
One of the first things to consider when planting herbs is the type of climate in your area. Choose plants that can handle the climate of your area and can grow well without much attention. There are two main zones in most areas, which are northern or subtropical and tropical or cold. If you are planting herbs for consumption, choose ones that will grow best in your zone.
Another thing to consider when planting herbs together is how much sun and water they will need. Sunlight is important for most herbs, but some will need more or less depending on their location. Be sure that you have enough sunlight during the day and shade at night for your chosen herbs to grow well. If you are growing herbs indoors, there should be adequate light coming through the windows to provide needed vitamins and minerals.
For plants that cannot tolerate extreme temperatures or are growing in lower levels, you may want to consider planting your herbs in a separate pot, or move them to a lower level of your yard. Do this if you live in an area where you have to deal with freezing temperatures during the winter months. Watering is another consideration. You need to check closely how often you water your herbs to make sure that they do not become over-watered. Herbs typically do best when they get between one and two inches of water per week.
Planting herbs together can be successful, but it does take time and planning. Be sure you plant the ones you want to grow together at the same time. When it comes to growing herbs organically, the most important thing to remember is that your soil needs to be free of fertilizer. Fertilizer weakens the root system, which limits the ability of the plant to absorb nutrients from the soil. Therefore, be sure that your garden is free of fertilizers, and follow the directions on the packaging to ensure proper fertilizer application.
When planting herbs together, Mediterranean herbs such as oregano and rosemary need to be watered on a regular basis. Rosemary will need to be watered every three days, while oregano may need to be watered every few days. Thyme should be fertilized every six weeks or so, and once a year, as needed. Fertilizer applications should be applied before the first frost; this will help prevent the roots of these plants from becoming dry.
The easiest way to plant herbs in your garden is to group herbs with similar growing conditions. Lemongrass, for example, needs to have a cool location where it can continually grow, and a warm location for optimal growth. Other herbs that are commonly grouped with other plants are basil, parsley and sage. You’ll find it much easier to grow these plants if you group them by their growing conditions (for instance, basil will be easier to grow alongside other herbs grown for color, whereas mint will grow better alone.)
One thing that many people do not know about gardening is that you should take care of your garden as if it were a garden outside. Sunlight is essential, and you should water your plants only when the soil seems dry. It’s a good idea to water plants when they’re blooming, but you don’t need to water too much. Remember that moisture is your garden’s natural condition, and any excessive watering will cause the roots to become dry and fall. Another thing to keep in mind is that while outdoor plants are often exposed to harsh elements, they are also sometimes safer from such elements than are indoor plants. If you plan to plant outdoors, ensure that you use a sturdy potting soil and plant your plants securely.