herb garden

HERB GARDEN DESIGN
and KITCHEN GARDEN TIPS:

What is better than the savory flavor of meals bathed in the essence of fresh basil or thyme? A simple baking chicken becomes coq au vin with a just a snip of fresh rosemary and a cup of white wine. And, who cannot discern the pique freshness of spicy arugula in a salad mix? It is all as easy as 1-2-3. Let's begin.

Step 1 - Where To Begin Your Kitchen Herb Garden?

Choose someplace close to the kitchen. It could be near your back door or patio. Whether you choose to grow herbs in Containers or directly in the soil, be sure they are exposed to the correct amount of sun. And be sure you will be able to give sufficient water. And, be sure the soil has sufficient drainage; herbs rarely like 'wet feet'. Most cooking herbs are hardy; all they need is plenty of sun, water and room to grow. (Many of our cooking herbs are native to the Mediterranean area....so, think rocky soil and arid, sunny climate).

Start with herbs you like to use when cooking. We think rosemary, basil, and thyme are good herbs to begin any garden with. (As a 'bonus', rosemary can easily be groomed into shapely summer hedges...perfect for cottage gardens).

Gardening Tip: We don't know of anyone who has luck growing herbs indoors, so we stick to outdoor herb gardens....But, let us know if you have discovered a trick we don't know about!

Step 2 - What To Grow?

Read the seed catalog or take advice from your local nursery on growing conditions needed for the herbs you select in your area. Many herbs are very easy to grow. (We love cliantro and, have sadly discovered it flourishes only in extremely arid, desert-like climates). *If you live in a southern area, your herb garden may grow best in fall or even winter.

Step 3 - Make It Pretty!

As with all things, color and aesthetics makes gardening more pleasing. Place compatible flowering plants near your herb garden. This may entice you there more frequently. Select taller herbs and flowers for the back of the herb garden. Anchor tall flowering vines with Topiary Growing Forms or Trellises for vertical structure.

Step 4 - Snip It!

Herbs like to be cut. Keep trimming to keep the new growth coming. You will find that 'old growth' tastes bitter and becomes heavy. Constant snipping keeps the fresh and tasty new growth coming!

Enjoy and Bon Appetit!

source this article: article source
Visit their site and get more great articles from there