The Home Herb Garden

Archive for July 28th, 2011

If you love the flavor that adding fresh herbs to your cooking gives, but you hate to spend a lot of money in the grocery store to constantly purchase them, then you may have just figured out when to plant a home herb garden. Once you have come to the conclusion that you will be better off doing it yourself than relying on the store to have just what you need, you are ready to make the move to growing the herbs yourself.

When to plant your herb garden will depend on where you live. If you live in an area with mild winters, you may plant most herbs in the fall or the spring. However, if you live in a colder climate and experience hard frosts, you will need to be aware of the exact requirements of the herb(s) you are planting. While indoor herb gardens can be planted virtually all year round in containers or via hydroponics, the best time to start an outdoor garden in the northern hemisphere is in the spring time and after the last threat of frost.

However if you’re starting with seeds you can get a jump on the season by starting your seeds indoors under grow lights or in windowsills that will allow 4-6 hours of daily sun, usually at a south and/or west facing window, and then transplant them to the garden (or if you prefer, larger containers) when the weather warms up. Look for compact seeds as they will grow best in indoor containers and check seed packets for individual planting depths. For best results from this method use the same kind of containers and potting mix that you’d use for other indoor seedlings, keeping the soil mix moist until the seeds germinate. Set lights between 3 to 6 inches above the plants, and water thoroughly whenever the soil gets dry to the touch, but not too wet as that can result in root rot. Always keep your plants away from temperature extremes like the kitchen stove or a fireplace. For best results before transplanting outdoors, help the plants adjust by putting the seedlings outside briefly each day while progressively increasing the time for a week or more.

Of course the first step is to figure out what herbs you want to plant and where, keeping in mind that most herbs require lots of sunshine and moderate wind protection. Luckily, this type of garden doesn’t take up a lot of space. You can use an existing vegetable garden or a raised garden or even grow the herbs in separate containers if your yard has minimal space. Once that’s determined and understanding that the time of year can make a big difference to the growth of any plant, you’ll want to know when to plant your home herb garden.

Once the plants have enough foliage to sustain growth, you can start harvesting your herbs continually. The more you harvest the more growth the plant will produce. Pinch off flower buds to keep the plants growing.

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People are constantly looking for ways to save money and have fun at the same time. One great way to do this is to create hobbies that will save you money in the long run. Growing herbs in your home can be a great activity that can be rewarding while saving you money at the same time. Obviously, growing plants and herbs in your home will require some space and require you to expand your garden as the plants grow and get bigger. This may be difficult, especially if you are not sure how to transplant nursery plants into the ground or into larger containers.

There are several tips that you should focus on when you are trying to transplant your plants into a different location. The first thing that you will want to take into consideration is when you should transplant your plants. If you’re planting in the ground and you live in an area where all of the seasons are present, you will want to transplant your plants in the early to mid spring, after the soil has thawed and softened. If the early spring is not an option, the next best time is during the late fall. By doing the transplant at this time, you will be able to avoid shocking the plant and have a much higher success rate. Transplanting in containers can be done year around indoors or outdoors in areas of mild climate, and indoors in areas of harsh climate.

The next thing that you will need to consider is the time it will take you to transplant your plant. With small plants, this will be much easier but larger plants will be more of a challenge. The roots of a plant are very sensitive and can be damaged easily. The shorter amount of time that the roots are exposed means a lower chance for shocking the plant. This will keep the plant healthy so it will continue to produce and live healthily. Keep in mind that it’s always best to transplant outdoors in cloudy weather toward the evening rather than when it’s sunny and in the morning.

When transplanting, gently remove the plant from the original container. If the roots have begun growing up the side, gently loosen the soil with your fingers, making sure the soil stays in contact with the roots and that the roots are exposed to the air for as minimal amount of time as possible, then place in the new container so they will grow properly. Add enough soil to completely cover the roots and water immediately. Mixing in some vitamin B1 plant starter will also help reduce shock to the plant.

You may need to get several different tools before you start the transplant of your nursery plants. The place is the most important thing that you need to consider. Make sure that you have a place in your garden or a pot large enough to place your plant. You will also need a spade or shovel, depending on the size of the plant, pruners, and something to transport the plant. Once you get the plant into its new home, you will want to ensure that the soil is healthy and can sustain life. This means a good supply of water and nutrients. You may want to get fertilizer in the soil so the plant will have nutrients right away. There are many more tips that are available on the Internet for people who are looking to transplant their plants and herbs.

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