A Brief Introduction to Herb Garden

Use of herbs can be traced way back to ancient Egyptians and Chinese. They have also been mentioned in the Bible and a number of medieval documents. Herbs are very versatile. They can be used in food to add flavor, in tea, for numerous medicinal purposes and even as a natural pesticide in a garden. An herb garden can be grown to serve any one or a number of the above purposes and more. They can also be grown along with other plants or can be grown indoors in pots.

Herbs can be grown in a number of ways, like indoor kitchen garden or outdoors in the garden. A small plot that measures about four feet by six feet is sufficient to provide herbs for a small family. Though herbs are commonly grown to be used in cooking, some are grown for their fragrant foliage and some for their beautiful flowers. Herbs can be used either fresh or dried. While some are used as garnish for salads and soups, some are used to enhance the flavor of a particular dish.

Herbs, like other plants grow as perennials, annuals and even as trees and shrubs. Herbs need well drained soil and in case the soil you are planning to plant herbs is either heavy or compacted, you can add some organic matter to the soil. Herbs do not need any fertilizers. While most herbs grow well in a sunny place, some require complete shade. Surprisingly it is very rare for herbs to be attacked by any insects or diseases. Occasionally red spider mites can be seen on low growing hers during hot and dry weather. Mint can be affected by rust and aphids can attach to caraway, fennel, anise or dill.

Herbs can either be grown by sowing seeds or they can be bought from a store and planted in the garden. There are very few things that give so much joy and pleasure as watching the tender shoots growing from a seed that you have sown.
The joy of nourishing a plant from its birth can be very rewarding, especially herbs as they can be of use in so many ways.

You can grow just about all herbs from a seed. The right time to plant herb seeds is late winter and the seeds should be placed in a shallow pot or a container filled with well-drained soil. Herbs do not have long roots, so take care not to cover the seeds with too much of soil. Herb seeds should always be sown shallow. The finer the herb seed, the shallower it should be planted. The right time to transplant herb seedlings to an outdoor garden is during spring. While all herbs can be grown from seeds, not all herbs transplant well. Some herbs like fennel, anise, dill and coriander have to be sown directly in the garden.

Though it is very easy and rewarding to grow herbs in a home garden, you should be aware of and understand a lot of information about herbs before starting an herb garden. This article is just a brief introduction to herb garden, but you can find all the information you need to know about herbs right here!