Outdoor Herb Gardening
I remember when I planned my first herb garden. It was located in the rear of the back yard under a Bradford Pear tree. I laid out the bed with red bricks and divided it into 4 quadrants—one section for each group of herb plants. Each section was used for a different kind of plant.
In one section I started an Italian herb garden that included oregano, basil and parsley. In another section I grew a tea garden, full of peppermint, anise, chamomile and fennel. Another section had healing herbs, including aloe vera, horseradish and calendula. The last [section|quarter] had cosmetic [herb plants|herbs] like for lavender, chervil and lemon verbena that I used in soaps, lotions and shampoos.
I was really happy with the outcomes that first year. The second year didn’t go so well, because the mints I had planted quickly took over, my chamomile spread outside the herb garden, and my lavender died from overexposure.
It did not work, because I hadn’t looked at the most important thing: what my herbs need in earth, light and water to thrive and grow successfully.
Before you plant a single herb, be sure to check out the place where you’ll eventually plant your herbs so that you will know the best herb plants for that place. Each [plant|herb] [require|need]s optimal conditions to [thrive|persist|grow|survive] and prosper. Try [herb plants|herbs] like white willow, thyme, sage, poppies and lemon balm.
Here are some other herb plants that you can be successful with:
- Basil: This is one of those herbs that will pretty much do all the work for you. Basil needs full or part-sun and can grow in a bed or container, as long as it has good drainage, which reminds me to mention that you’ll only need to water it when the earth is dry. If you are going to be cooking with your basil, be sure to use the sweet basil variety of the herb for best results.
- Lemongrass: I love the fresh, clean smell of lemongrass. It is one of the happy little grasses that will get pretty high in a single growing season, adding a pop of bright green color your garden and a scrumptous lemon scent. Although you can begin with seeds, I purchase mine from the local greenhouse, probably because I can’t wait to get that fresh lemongrass to my Thai and Indian dinners.
- Cilantro: I must confess that cilantro is my new favorite herb to grow in my garden and use in my cooking. Its distinctive taste makes it an awesome addition to your Tex-Mex dinners and it is easy to grow.
- Chamomile: I use the German Chamomile type in my hanging baskets where the results are wonderful. Snip off a few of the leaves to use in your calming tea or even your bath for some added luxury. Its light, woody, apple scent is seductive to your senses, while its white petals with bright yellow centers remind me of happy little daisies, so how can you go wrong?
Now it is up to you to get going, with a little planning, you’ll be digging in the dirt in no time. Just don’t get bogged down with trying to be perfect about it—there is no such thing as perfect so just have fun with it.
Good luck with your herb gardening outside. Be sure to let me know how your herb garden grows.
Here is more information on Herb Garden Designs. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Herb Gardens.
