 Herb Advice|  admin|  07.17.09|  
The Key to Preserving Fresh Herb Plants
It has been said that all good things must come to an end, and this is especially true of our summer gardens. Most plants will not survive the cold, frosty days of winter, which is why harvesting and preserving our crops becomes imperative as the cold weather begins to loom. This is also true of our fresh herb plants, but don’t wait until there’s a nip in the air to begin harvesting this crop. When herbs are dried properly, they can bring you months of delicious flavors throughout the fall and winter.
When to Harvest Fresh Herb Plants
The best time to harvest your fresh herb plants is prior to flowering, which will frequently occur when the weather begins to cool in the fall. Therefore, harvesting in late summer will ensure the best flavor and freshness to your herbs, but you can also harvest throughout the growing season to stimulate additional growth and get a jump start on your stock. Cut your stems in the mid-morning hours when possible, since the morning dew has dried out by then but the fresh herb plants have not yet begun to wilt in the afternoon sun.
Air Drying Herbs
The air drying process works best with fresh herb plants that have a lower moisture content like oregano, summer savory, thyme, rosemary and dill. Herbs with a higher moisture content will dry better using a dehydrator or microwave. To air dry fresh herb plants, cut the stems and remove any unhealthy leaves. If it is necessary, rinse your stems with some cool water, and pat dry completely. Drying wet herb stems will only result in moldy leaves that are unusable. Bundle together in batches of four to six stems, and hold them together with a rubber band or piece of string. Keep in mind that the stems will shrink as they dry so you will need to check them periodically and retighten as necessary.
Once your herbs are bundled, place your bunches upside down into brown paper bags that have a number of holes punched in them and are labeled with the type of fresh herb plant on the front. Tie the bags closed and hang them up in a warm, airy room and check them every week or two. Once your fresh herb plants are sufficiently dried, store your herbs in airtight containers like canning jars or Ziploc bags. Keep the containers away from direct sunlight and use within one year.
Using this process for drying and preserving your fresh herb plants, you will be able to enjoy the savory aroma and flavor of home grown herbs year round. Happy harvest!
Herb Advice| admin| 07.15.09|
A herb garden can be a fantastic addition to any garden, especially if you plan it carefully beforehand. Every single one has its own charm and range of uses, which means you can pick the exact range and selection that you will put to the most use in your garden. Every herb is available to buy separately, which means that it is easy to create your ideal herb garden within easy reach of your kitchen.
The Ideal Place to Create a Miniature Kitchen Garden
The problem with the typical herb is that it tends to spread out if given the chance. That s why it s a good idea to use other methods of finding a good spot to plant them, in order that you can maintain control over how well and how far they spread.
If you have a patio or veranda, why not add an herb or two to the plant pots you probably already have dotted about? You could build or buy a wooden trough especially for growing them in, and paint or stain it to match in with your existing decor. Even placing a selection of gravel or decorative pebbles around each herb can help to add a certain degree of charm to the finished result.
Making the Most of the Aromas
Every herb has its own wonderful smell to enjoy, which is why placing them close to any seating area you might have is such a great idea. Try putting mint near to your back door and you ll see what an effect it can have each time the breeze picks up! It s a strong yet attractive aroma that really smells good when it s growing.
Rosemary is another good bet if you want to grow an herb which produces a wonderful smell that you will notice every time you walk past it. If you love lamb you will definitely want to grow it since it really brings out the flavors every time you cook it.
You will find that as you become more adept at growing various types, you will start to think about growing from seed as well as using seedlings, and trying your hand at growing different ones too. Try and do some research on the internet to get the best out of each herb, to ensure each one lasts as long as possible and always looks at its best. In short, every herb has its benefits and once you start growing them, you will probably never stop.
Herb Advice| admin| 07.09.09|
A Primer to Herb Farming at Home
Herb gardening can take place pretty much anywhere; from an indoor window sill, to outdoor pots and a garden bed. On the other hand, herb farming takes place on the land lots and lots of land to ensure enough crops to turn a profit. Most experts in the field will recommend approximately 12 acres of land, with a minimum of six different crops planted. Natural means of fertilization and pest control are also necessary, since pesticides and herbicides are not allowed in the world of herb farming.
Most of us don’t have a desire for large scale herb farming, but we do enjoy having fresh, home grown herbs at our disposal. For this reason, herb farming at home has become a popular hobby, particularly for those who have a yard that is large enough to host a good-sized garden area. However, even if you life in a high rise in the heart of the city, you can still enjoy fresh herbs grown on a sunny window sill, and you can grow this indoor garden year round.
Beginning Herb Farming at Home
Herb farming at home begins with selecting the best site for your plants and preparing the soil in that site. Your best success will be in a spot that receives at least five hours of sunlight every day, since the vast majority of herbs crave plenty of sun. Drainage is another important consideration, so plant your herbs on a mound when possible to allow for well drained soil. Add some organic material to the area, and check the pH of the soil to ensure that it is slightly alkaline. If it doesn’t test out right, add some lime to the soil to cut down on the acidity.
The next step in herb farming at home is to collect or begin the plants that you would like to grow. Many herbs can be started from seed that is sown directly into the ground, and others can be started indoors for earlier harvest. However, herbs like rosemary and tarragon can be quite tricky to start from seed, so you will be better off starting these plants with cuttings or by purchasing small plants from your local nursery.
As your herb farming efforts yield success, you can expand your crops by root division or stem cuttings from your current plants. It can also be fun to add new crops each year to increase your variety of fresh herbs and experiment with the ease of growing different types of plants. Herbs can actually require less care than many vegetables, and often do not need to be watered as often. In addition to providing crops of culinary delights that you can enjoy year round, herbs will provide beauty and fragrance to any garden setting.
Herb Advice| admin| 07.05.09|
Planning Your Herb Garden Layout
When you set about planning your herb garden layout, your clipboard, pen and paper are as important as your hoe and shovel. Choose a patch of land that gets at least six hours of sun every day. Very few herbs will grow in the shade, and they are mostly undesirable perennial herbs like invasive mints. Sketch the area on paper.
Decide which herbs you want to grow in you garden. Some people plant herbs because they are low maintenance and drought tolerant. Others love the full, spreading habits of herbs like lavender and oregano or the creepers like wooly thyme.
Your herb garden layout should follow the same rules as any garden layout. They are also the basic rule that any school photographer follows when he photographs a class of young school children: Place the tall plants at the back, the midsize ones in the middle, and the short ones in the front.
Tall Herb Plants
In any garden layout, herbs that are the tallest should be placed at the back of the border. This will prevent them from shading shorter plants and hogging all the sun. Examples of plants for the back of the border are: Anise hyssop (agastache “Tutti Frutti”) grows up to six feet tall; add fragrant flowers to salads and sandwiches. Sweet cicely (myrrhis odorata) grows up to four feet tall; one of the few herbs to grow in full or partial shade.
Cardoon (cynara cardunculus) grows up to five feet tall; cousin of the artichoke, with edible leaves, stalks, and unopened flower heads similar to those of the artichoke.
Midsize Herb Plants
Plan to place midsize herb plants into the middle of your herb garden layout. Most herbs are of this size 18 inches to 36 inches tall. Examples of plants for the middle of the border are: Sage (salvia officinalis) grows up to two feet tall; sage embodies the smell of Thanksgiving stuffing in the U.S. and is often used with roasted meats. Silver thyme (thymus vulgaris) grows up to one foot tall; desirable for its silver leaves and small purple flowers; can be harvested year-round. Rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) grows up to two feet tall; prized for its strong flavor and fragrance, rosemary is often added to soups and stews that must be simmered for long period of time.
Short Herb Plants
Along the front of the border are the creepers: herb plants that grow close to the ground. Your herb garden layout is complete once you plant these ground covers. They are often not harvested but are grown for their ornamental appeal and ability to soften the edge of a hardscape. Wooly thyme, Corsican mint, and roman chamomile are all specimens of this low-growing type of herb.
Herb Advice| admin| 07.03.09|
Vegetable, Fruit, and Herb Garden Plans Let You Maximize Your Garden Space
Having a garden is a goal for many people who enjoy the taste of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. There is nothing quite like the taste of food you’ve grown yourself, and gardening can be fulfilling and healthy.
If you are planting a garden for the first time, you’ll first need to plot out an area for your new plants. This can be as small or as large as you like, depending on your available space and the types of plants you plan to grow.
Growing Vegetables Efficiently
Vegetable garden plans often start out as small patches containing a few essential vegetables. Peppers, zucchini, and cucumbers are some of the most popular vegetables to grow at home, although potatoes, onions, carrots are often grown as well. Vegetable garden plans should be laid out to allow for the best possible use of your space and compatibility of the plants.
Planting Fruits for Summer Eating
Fruit can also be grown easily in a home garden. Strawberries, melons, and tomatoes are simple to care for and can produce large yields all through the growing season. Fruit garden plans should take into account the climbing tendency of many fruit plants.
Herb Garden Plans Encourage Creativity
Herb garden plans allow you to have a little more fun and be creative with the placement of your plants. Herb garden plans make use of the functionality as well as the beauty of herb plants. If you are planning to grow herbs, you can arrange them to be both beautiful and useful.
Herb garden plans are similar to flower garden plans. Planting incompatible plants together can give you less than optimum results, so gardeners generally choose to read up on placement and compatibility in order to create stunning herb garden plans.
Gardening with a Plan
No matter what type of garden you choose to grow, planning it out ahead of time can save you a lot of heartache and failed plants. Having a plan for your garden means that you have looked into which plants grow well together and complement the appearance of their surroundings.
Some plants can act as natural pest control for other plants, which can be a huge benefit to your garden. However, some food and herb plants can harm other plants around them, which is why it is essential to have a plan for your garden and understand the function of each plant.
When you plan out your vegetable, fruit, and herb garden plans before planting, you’ll give your garden a greater chance of success. You will also increase the benefits and output of your own little patch of earth.
Herb Advice| admin| 06.27.09|
The Basics of Herb Gardening
Everybody loves an herb garden. The idea of gathering fresh herbs from the garden to use in the kitchen is so appealing. Imagine the fragrant aroma of chamomile tea; the zing that fresh chopped chives add to a baked potato, and the unmistakable pairing of basil and tomatoes.
Growing Herbs
Herbs are easy to grow, easy to care for, and easy to harvest. Most herb plants grow like weeds, thrive on neglect, and are nearly impossible to kill. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, chances are good that you can grow herbs. Besides, herb gardening is fun!
If you are fortunate enough to have a patch of land large enough to grow an herb garden on, you can choose from an amazing variety of herbs for your garden. You don’t need a very big garden plot to get started herb gardening, but your plot should be in full sun for as many hours of the day as possible. Most herbs love full sun.
Herb Basket
A fun way to get started herb gardening is to make an herb basket. Visit an herb gardening store or nursery and purchase a variety of fresh herbs. Look for diversity in the herbs’ height, growth patterns, and leaf color. Basil, for example, comes in green and purple leaves; get one of each for your basket. Purchase five to nine herbs, depending on the size of your basket, in 2″ or 4″ pots.
Take a flat-bottomed, shallow basket, and line it with a plastic shopping bag that has had several slits cut in it for drainage. Fill the plastic-lined basket with potting soil, and place the herbs in the potting soil, starting in the center with tall plants with an upright habit in the center and spreading or creeping plants around the edges. Water the basket thoroughly and place it in full sun. Clip herbs as you need them, and water the basket two or three times a week.
Herb Topiary
Topiary is the art of shaping plant material as it grows, often with the aid of a wire form. Several herbs, rosemary among them, lend themselves especially strongly to use in herb topiaries. Herb gardening with topiaries is a specialty niche that attracts enthusiasts from all over the world. Nearly every state or county fair has competitions for topiary art.
Herbs in Containers
Container herb gardening indoors is a great way to grow herbs, although you must be certain that they get enough sun. A south-facing window is usually adequate, although some varieties may lose their vigor over winter when daylight is weak.
Herb Advice| admin| 06.25.09|
What Are the Advantages of Creating Herb Gardens Outdoors?
There are lots of benefits to having herb gardens. They can create a wonderful aroma when all the different smells mix together and catch your nose as you walk past; they give you an instant and ongoing source of fresh herbs to use whenever you need them; and they are also relatively easy to grow.
But if herb gardens are your cup of tea, you will need to decide whether you want one indoors or outdoors. Indoor ones are good, but if you have a reasonable size garden then having herb gardens outdoors can be your best choice.
When do You Begin?
The best place to start is by having a look round to see where herb gardens could be created. If space is short, why not have more than one and make each individual one smaller? You can even use window boxes to grow herb gardens right outside your kitchen window. This is ideal and has the advantage of not only being close to the place where you do all your cooking, but it gives you a wonderful aroma every time you open your kitchen window too.
You can create herb gardens in regular flower beds, but you should be aware that some herbs can spread further than others, and are more aggressive as a result. For example, mint is particularly invasive and should always be planted away from any other plants which it could end up taking over. For this reason, if you want to put it in a bed, make sure you plant it inside a pot and sink the pot into the ground first. This will prevent it from strangling other plants and keep it contained within its own small area.
Choosing Your Herbs
There are a wide variety of choices when it comes to deciding what your herb gardens are going to contain. Do some research to see which herbs you tend to like and which ones are the most versatile as well.
Parsley is always a good staple item to have in herb gardens, as are chives and mint. While all herbs tend to be much the same shade of green, they all have their own shape so it s good to choose a mixture that looks good when they grow together as well. Chives are tall and straight so they are good to position right at the back. With practice you will be able to grow herb gardens that look as well as taste fantastic.
Herb Advice| admin| 06.01.09|
Creating an Indoor Herb Garden
If you love cooking you will know how enjoyable it is to create different variations of dishes that you cook regularly. Even changing a few minor ingredients can make a big difference to the final dish, so it s worth experimenting every time you go into the kitchen to cook a meal.
One of the nicest ways to add an extra something to your cooking is by using herbs and spices, and luckily it is very simple to create an indoor herb garden to make sure everything you use is as fresh as it possibly could be.
How do You Begin?
Think about where you could put your indoor herb garden to begin with. Most people put one on their kitchen windowsill as this usually promotes the most growth, but any position with a lot of sun will get great results.
You can buy an indoor herb garden which is ready made and easy to use, but it s just as easy to create your own if you start with the right container. All you need to do is fill it with compost and a mixture of herbs that you like, and water it regularly.
You have two choices when it comes to a container you can either use one long trough style container, which means your herbs may start to mix in with each other, or a number of separate pots which all stand on a long oblong shaped saucer. Either version looks great when you are creating your own indoor herb garden.
The Benefits of Having an Indoor Herb Garden
There are plenty of benefits not least the fact that you can harvest your herbs as soon as they are growing plentifully. This gives you herbs that are at their freshest, which are ideal for cooking and much better than anything you could buy anywhere else.
An indoor herb garden also makes a great addition to any windowsill, and can be a little more unusual than using a plant or flowers to decorate your kitchen. If you really start to enjoy using them, you could even consider starting to dry some herbs to see whether you get better or different results in your cooking from using that method.
Lots of people find that an indoor herb garden is the easiest and most rewarding way to grow herbs at their home. An outdoor one works well, but you won t want to go outside to fetch some if the weather is bad!
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