 Herb Guide|  admin|  08.01.09|  Organic gardening is not as difficult as many beginning gardeners believe it is. It is true there is a bit more work and increased attention levels to the details of an organic garden than a regular garden. However, with the proper guidance you will soon discover it’s not anywhere near as difficult as you thought it was. This guide will provide you with the basic steps you need to get you started.
Assuming you know little to nothing about organic gardening lets make certain you understand what it is. Quite simply it means you are going to plant your garden without using synthetic fertilizers, for making the plants grow and chemical pesticides to control the bugs.
To really maximize your garden, regardless if its going to be flowers, herbs, veggies or a mish mash of several plants it’s best to have a detailed plan. And the best time to formulate your plan is in the fall, right after the fall growing season ends. The reason for this is you will have time to prepare the ground before the spring planting season begins.
Perhaps the most critical thing you must do before anything else is to select the optimum location for your organic garden or for that matter any garden. Your plants will do extremely well if they can receive about six hours of sunlight per day. In almost all cases positioning of your planting area in the southeast part of your ground will give more than adequate amounts of sunshine. Also make sure your ground has easy access to water and the ground has good drainage, to allow water run off and aeration of the ground.
Once the proper location has been determined the next step is preparing the ground where you will be planting. This means it’s time for the physical labor part. You are going to till the ground using a yard fork or a tiller, then get on your knees to start pulling weeds, grass and removing the rocks. To make the weed and grass removal successful you should perform the initial removal, then go back a couple of weeks later and remove any weeds and grass which have grown up in the meantime.
Now it’s time for you to actually determine what your selected ground is going to need, in the way of the proper nutrition to help your vegetation grow. You do need to have the soil tested for the proper ph level. If you’re not sure you would do an accurate job of this take a sample of your soil to your local nursery or garden center and they can do this for you.
Once the testing has been completed by the nursery folks they can tell you exactly what kind of natural fertilizers and pest control product you will need. While you are at the nursery or garden center you should ask their advice on the proper plants and vegetables which will grow best in your treated soil.
In conclusion this guide has given you the basic things you need to start your organic gardening project the right way. It has covered the location of the garden, the sunlight exposure, preparation of the ground prior to planting and the proper nutrition your ground will need. Organic gardening is not as complicated as it seems.
Herb Guide| admin| 07.19.09|
A Fresh Herb Keeper Keeps Your Herbs Fresher Longer
One of the things about having fresh vegetables is keeping them fresh. Often times they can go bad or lose much of their fresh taste as they sit in the refrigerator over time. There are many cultures like the Japanese that believe that freshness is the key to excellent cooking. It is also true that freshness usually lends itself to subtler flavors in foods. This is why keeping everything as fresh as possible is essential.
For herbs, there is the fresh herb keeper. The fresh herb keeper is designed to keep herbs fresher longer. Not everyone has the time or space in order to be able to enjoy fresh herbs by growing them. This is why fresh herbs are available for purchase in a store. Unfortunately, often times these herbs do not last long and many times go bad before they can be completely used, this is a waste of not only money but also great herbs.
Ways of Keeping Herbs Fresh
Using a fresh herb keeper is one way to keep the herbs you purchase at the store or even left over herbs that you harvest fresher longer. A fresh herb keeper works by providing an environment that the herbs can be preserved in for a longer period of time than just leaving them in the supermarket bag or package. A fresh herb keeper is similar to the types of products that have recently appeared on the market that provide the ability to keep vegetables such as lettuce fresh for a significantly longer period of time than using the supermarket bags or any packages that the vegetables come in.
What is the benefit of having fresh herbs or keeping herbs for longer periods? After all, the majority of individuals are usually only purchased fresh herbs for a specific dish and do not use them for any other usually tossing the rest. This is usually because they know that the herbs will start to wilt and fade within a few days.
If, however, they are using something that will help to keep the herbs fresher longer then the likelihood of those herbs being used in other dishes increases dramatically. This is great for individuals who do not like to waste or who may want to enjoy keeping an array of fresh herbs on hand without having to purchase them every few days from the store (an expensive undertaking) or care for them in a kitchen or container garden.
Herb Guide| admin| 07.13.09|
 Grow Tasty and Healthy Fresh Herbs in your Kitchen with Herb Bags
There’s nothing better than cooking with fresh ingredients. Plucking the fruit of your gardening labors from your own plants is an incredibly satisfying feeling. Using those plants in your meals can save you money, increase your nutrition, and make your home a nicer place to be.
Some of the most popular plants to grow for home cooking are herbs. Most herbs are easy to grow and require little care other than faithful watering and occasional pruning. Once you taste fresh herbs in your home cooking, you’ll never want to go back to using dried herbs!
Bring the Garden Indoors
Do you love the idea of growing an herb garden, but you just don’t have the room or the time to devote to a large garden? If so, herb bags may be just the solution for you. Herb bags are waterproof foil bags that contain everything you need to grow a complete plant.
In order to grow plants in herb bags, all you need to do is tear open the bag, add water, and set the bag in an area where it can receive adequate sunshine. You can grow just one or an entire kitchen full of fresh, green, flavorful herbs.
Even people who aren’t blessed with a natural green thumb can be successful with herb bags. There isn’t much upkeep required, and since herb bags are self-contained growing setups there is no need to invest in costly gardening equipment.
Herb bags are especially useful if you live in a climate where gardening is difficult, or if you have very little indoor and outdoor space to grow plants. Even if you have an outdoor garden, keeping your herbs growing indoors ensures that they will always be close at hand whenever you need them for cooking.
Herb bags come in many varieties to match all of your cooking needs. Oregano, thyme, parsley, and basil are some of the best basic herbs to grow in your home, and you can get all of them in herb bags.
If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, why not try growing lavender or mint herb bags? These herbs are very handy to have around for seasoning food, making delicious teas, and making your home smell fantastic at all times.
Every home could benefit from the addition of fresh plants, and herbs are the perfect choice to grow indoors. Whether or not you plan to use them for cooking, fresh herbs can add a wholesome feeling to your home while increasing the beauty of your living space and providing natural air freshening.
Herb Guide| admin| 06.29.09|
Expand your Gardening Efforts with Herb Garden Seeds Delivered to Your Door
Growing an herb garden is a great way to develop your gardening skills while producing a useful crop for your home. Most herbs can be grown in small spaces and in conditions that other plants would not survive.
Herb gardens can benefit your home in many ways. Adding green, growing things to your environment can make your home more beautiful and more comfortable to live in. Herbs can help reduce odors from the air in your home and even add fresh and enticing scents to your living space.
Best of all, growing herbs lets you season your food in a natural and healthy way. Fresh herbs are full of flavor and can help you cut down on other seasonings like sale and butter. By growing your own rather than relying on dried herbs from the supermarket, you stay in control of what your family eats and where it comes from.
Why Purchase Herb Garden Seeds Online?
To start your herb garden, you will most likely need to purchase plants or seeds. Herb garden seeds are quickly becoming the more popular choice because of their portability and availability, as opposed to starter plants which you must buy in your immediate vicinity.
Herb garden seeds can be ordered online and delivered to you through the mail, eliminating the need to spend an afternoon poking through vast amounts of plants in a nursery. This method also allows you to grow plants that you wouldn’t ordinarily be able to find in your area, resulting in a more well-rounded and exotic herb garden.
Shopping online for your herb garden seeds also lets you do research on the plants that you are interested in as you’re shopping. If you see herb garden seeds online for a plant you aren’t familiar with, you can simply look up the growing information for that plant in another browser window. Armed with this knowledge of the herb garden seeds you’re perusing, you can plan out your entire garden ahead of time and buy only the seeds that you need.
Buying herb garden seeds online is also less expensive than buying plants. When you buy a packet of herb garden seeds, you get many seeds. They may not all germinate or survive, but you get so many for such a small price that it is still very cost effective. When you buy an already-started plant, you get only one if that plant dies, you are forced to buy another.
Starting your herb garden with seeds instead of seedlings can be a wise investment in your future gardening plans. You’ll get the rewards of raising plants from tiny seeds while enjoying the many benefits that come from growing your own herbs.
Herb Guide| admin| 06.23.09|
A Herb Guide can Help You Choose Herbs Wisely
Herbs are used for a wide variety of purposes today from culinary to medicinal. Some people like to buy their herbs fresh from the local grocer or a natural food shop, while others prefer the DIY approach and grow their own at home. No matter how you like your herbs, it can be difficult to know which plants to use and when to use them, so an herb guide is a good source of valuable information.
Jekka’s Culinary Herbs: A Guide to Growing and Using Herbs for the Kitchen
Culinary herbs form a long list indeed, which is why an herb guide is helpful in determining which seasonings to use in different dishes. Some herbs, like arugula and garden cress are primarily used for salads, while chamomile is best used for tea. Herbs like mint can be incorporated into a surprising number of dishes including meats, vegetables and soups. Cilantro is used often in southwestern recipes, and oregano if frequently the herb of choice in Italian fare.
Medicinal Herb Guide
Herbs have been used for centuries for their medicinal value, but a comprehensive herb guide is necessary to help you know which plants will be most effective for a variety of ailments. You can grow herbs at home that will help you boost your immune system or fight off infection. Some are good for energizing the body while others can be effective tension tamers. Medicinal herbs can also be taken in a variety of ways, from brewed teas to simple capsules. A good herb guide will help you to understand the best herbs to use for different problems and the most effective ways to take them.
Aromatherapy Herb Guide
One way that herbs can be used for their healing effects is through aromatherapy. This alternative field of medicine has been used for many years as a way to treat and prevent a variety of illnesses, and achieve better physical, mental and emotional health. A good aromatherapy herb guide can give you a listing of the most common herbs that are used in this area of holistic healing, and the different ways that they can benefit you. For example, some types of aromatherapy have a calming effect while others are good for energizing the spirit and the body.
Aromatherapy herbs can be enjoyed through essential oils that are put into baths, or used in diffusers. There are some aromatherapy herbs that should not be used while you are pregnant, which is another good reason to consult an herb guide before testing out any of these plants or oils.
Herbs have served many purposes for centuries and continue to do so today. If you are interested in learning more about the culinary or healing benefits of herbs, consult an herb guide for specific information.
Herb Guide| admin| 06.17.09|
Culinary and Medicinal Herb Plants for Sale
If you’re looking for herb plants for sale, you can relax. They are easy to find. More and more nurseries these days are offering extensive selections of herb plants for sale. Nurseries and plant sellers are growing more herbs than ever to meet consumer demand for herbs for culinary and medicinal use.
Medicinal Herb Plants
Many herbs for sale at your local nursery or home improvement store have medicinal uses. Medicinal herb plants that are for sale over the counter at a nursery are no excuse for regular medical care and getting a checkup from your doctor every year. But there are herbs that get made into medicine. Naturally, these herbs will have effectiveness for treating conditions like allergies, infections, and stress.
Echinacea Many gardeners grow purple coneflower herb plants for sale because it is a beautiful plant, like a pastel version of a black-eyed Susan. But did you know that purple coneflower is the common name for Echinacea, an herb known for enhancing the body’s immune system?
Yerba Santa: The leaves of this herb, also known by the common names “mountain balm,” “gum bush,” and “sacred herb,” are smoked to relieve asthma, pulmonary problems, and bronchial disorders.
Solomon’s Seal: This herb, indigenous to northern Europe and Siberia, is prized for its root. Poultices made from the powdered roots are used to soothe bruises, inflammations, and other skin problems.
Culinary Herb Plants for Sale
Also found for sale at nurseries, grocery centers, and home improvement stores, edible herb plants are sometimes called “kitchen herbs” because they are used in cooking, and many home cooks plant culinary herbs either in the kitchen or right outside the kitchen door. Among the most popular culinary herbs are:
Basil: The green and purple leaves of the basil plant are indispensable in Thai food and Mediterranean cooking Italian and Lebanese, in particular. This strongly flavored herb is most frequently paired with tomatoes and with sauces and purees with a tomato base. The basil plant is extremely tender and cannot be grown outdoors when there is a danger of frost.
Chives are actually a member of the onion family. They are one of the most economical herbs ever, because they keep growing after you clip them, and chive clippings can be used fresh or dried or frozen for later use. The best known use of chives is sprinkled on a baked potato, soaked with butter and piled with sour cream.
Parsley is a natural breath freshener; thus its appearance as garnish on dinner plates. Parsley leaves can be stored fresh in a plastic bag in the refrigerator or dried and crumbled into omelets, mashed potatoes, and soups.
Herb Guide| admin| 06.15.09|
There are several ways a herb garden can be grown. Many people simply transplant already established plants. However, there is something to be said about growing an herb garden from herb seed. Not only that but also some plants are only available in herb seed form. This means that because they are not the types of herbs you would find in a nursery, usually because they are not well known, you can only find them in the herb seed form.
There are some special steps that need to be taken in order to grow herbs from herb seed.
Herb seed is just like any other type of seed there are some conditions, which need to be met in order to ensure that the seed has the optimum growing conditions. Failing to provide the optimum growing conditions for seeds can result in the seeds not sprouting or not being able to make it to the surface of the container.
Steps to Growing Seeds
The first thing that needs to be considered is the location. Once you have determined the proper location for your seeds the next step is to make sure that they have the right medium to grow in. This may take a little research in order to find the types of food and soil that the herbs you are growing like. If you are growing multiple types of herbs you will need to make sure that, you group the seeds into locations or containers that contain the same growing medium.
The same growing medium means that the temperature, soil type and food type are all the same for the plants growing in the particular medium. It is also a good idea to make sure that the plants growing will also have the same need for light. This will ensure that the plants have the optimum conditions for growth. Of course, this does not mean that they will indeed grow. There are other factors including how the seeds were treated from the time they were harvested until the time they arrive to you.
Because of this, it is a good idea to get your seeds from a grower rather than from the supermarket or garden center at a general merchandise store. The reason for this is that the growers understand the conditions of the seeds must remain at in order to increase the chance of producing a viable plant from the seeds.
Herb Guide| admin| 05.29.09|
How to Grow your Own Kitchen Herb Garden
 Many of us love cooking with fresh herbs, but the standard fare in the produce department of the local grocers just won’t do. You want that just picked off the vine flavor, and the best way to get it is by planting your very own kitchen herb garden at home that you can access whenever you need to. An herb garden can consist of a plot of ground just past the backdoor, or it can be a line of pots on your windowsill. It will be up to you, your preference and the amount of space you have as to where and how your kitchen herb garden will evolve.
Choosing the Best Site
If you decide to plant your kitchen herb garden outdoors, you will want to find a spot that gets at least five hours of sun each day, since most herb plants crave the light. It is also important to place your plants in good soil that has plenty of drainage and is slightly alkaline. If you need more drainage, mound your crops up a bit to allow for water to run off easier. If your soil is too acidic, you can add lime to balance the pH for your plants. It is also a good idea to place an outdoor garden within convenient access of the kitchen, so that you can easily run outdoors and snip off a few leaves when you want them.
Choosing the Best Plants
Most kitchen herb gardens will consist of a variety of culinary herbs, like oregano, basil, lemon balm, parsley and dill. Some of these herbs will be perennials, meaning that you can plant once and enjoy them for many seasons. Others will grow as annuals in colder climates, so you can choose to either bring the plants indoors in the winter, or simply replant your kitchen herb garden each spring. It is important to research the growing habits of each individual herb that you include, to ensure that you give them the best environment and care possible.
While some herbs will grow well from seed, others will be much harder to begin this way. For example, rosemary is a difficult crop to start from seed, but can be quite successful when started from cuttings. You can also purchase rosemary plants from the neighborhood nursery and plant them directly into your kitchen herb garden. If you are starting your herbs indoors, they are generally started with seeds and require plenty of light and water to begin the growing process.
Your own kitchen herb garden will be a fun hobby that you can enjoy for the summer, and provide you with many delectable seasonings all year long. Herbs are generally easy to grow, fun to harvest and delicious to eat!
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