Herb gardening has been done for centuries by many cultures including ancient Chinese and Egyptian cultures. There are biblical accounts where the majority of the people who lived during that time used herbs. The Medieval era marked another time when herbs were used. There are many wonderful reasons a gardener might want to give herb gardening a second thought. Here are some herb uses: to make teas, potpourri, flavor food, garden pest control, and even medicinal remedies. Any garden made solely of herbs can have one theme or a combination of these themes. However, there are indoor and outdoor gardens that consist of a combination of many plant species.

Herbs do not have to be grown just in a 4 ft. x 6 ft. area outdoors, which will support families that are small. There is even herb gardening inside of a container in a kitchen. Aside from their widely known food use (fresh or dried), herbs are also aromatic and lovely décor.

Gardeners can do herb gardening in the form of trees, perennials, shrubs, and annuals. Herbs always thrive better in a soil that allows the water to drain easily. When the soil is compacted, simply put some organic matter in it so the soil will not be heavy. Also, fertilizers are not a necessity to growing herbs. However, providing herbs a sunny spot to grow in is needed, for the most part. There are a handful of herbs that would much rather be covered by a nice blanket of shade in the afternoon. Gardeners really do not need to be concerned with their herbs getting stricken with diseases or attacked by insects, either. Every now and then, mostly in dry heat kind of weather, red spider mites will find their way into the garden and feeding on the plants that grow very close to the ground. These plants are anise, caraway, fennel, and dill. Also, rust is also an enemy to mint herbs.

There are different ways to go about herb gardening. Gardeners can grow them from seeds, or buy them already grown to plant them in their garden. But to see the process of herbs growing from a seed into a beautiful plant is definitely worth experiencing. Gardeners get the privilege to observe the herb growth process and then later use them; it is very rewarding. Most herbs start out from seeds.

During the later months of winter would be a great period to begin planting the seeds. First, get a type of container that is shallow. Secondly, place the seeds in the box or pot. Thirdly, pour light and easily drained soil over the seeds; not too much, though, because the roots of the herbs do not run deep. Here is a rule of thumb: the more fine the seed is, the more shallow the seed needs to be sown. During the springtime, go ahead and let the seedlings enjoy some outdoor weather. Herb gardening enthusiasts should also know that anise, dill, coriander, and fennel herbs do not transplant as well as other herbs; therefore, they need to be planted into the garden’s soil.