Growing Herbs At Home

If you're looking to start a garden, then consider growing herbs at home, whether you're looking to have an indoor garden or an outdoor one. Growing herbs is a great way to have a garden that smells great and is useful, since you can use the results in your cooking. Even if you're just growing herbs for the pleasant scents they give off, though, such a garden is a great idea. Let's discuss what sorts of things you need to do when growing herbs.

Outdoor Gardening

Though herbs love warm climates, growing herbs is still possible in northern areas, since summer conditions are still warm enough for these plants; just be sure to plant them in late spring. Because herbs don't grow well in wet soil, be sure to plant your herbs where they will receive adequate drainage. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to place a three-inch bed of crushed stone about 18 inches into the ground, cover with soil, and plant your herbs in this spot. You'll end up with looser soil and better drainage.

When you want to harvest some of the leaves after growing herbs, there are better times than others for harvest. The best time is early in the day, after dew has evaporated from the leaves, but before the sun really starts to hit the plants. This is because the sunlight can dry out essential oils, which are what give herbs their distinctive tastes and scents. Also, keep in mind that while some plants, such as basil, can actually grow better after picking, don't remove all the leaves if you want to keep growing your herbs, since they provide the food source for the plant.

Indoor Gardening

One of the great things about growing herbs is that they make great indoor plants as well, since indoor conditions often allow growth. This works better for annual herbs than perennials; plant your perennial plants outdoors when the warm weather comes. Be sure to place your pots where there's southern or western exposure, so your herbs get the most light.

For the plants that you do grow indoors, drainage is just as important as outdoors. Rather than watering the soil directly, which can lead to soggy soil and unhealthy herbs, try misting the plants, which will help prevent waterlogged roots. Other than this, you'll find that growing herbs indoors is essentially the same as growing them outdoors: easy, fun, and resulting in something that you can use in the kitchen when the plants are grown! So, pick out some seeds and get started on your herb garden.