How to grow Herbs - the easy guide

[jacky]

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Growing herbs




You can grow herbs in a wide range of growing conditions and they will grow well with very little maintenance which is good news for most of us!!! Before trying these methods I thought growing herbs was a big task that I would never have time for, but it is not that hard at all. Here are some tips for you to try.
You need to prepare the soil the same as for vegetables. Usually, herbs prefer a light, well-drained, crumbly soil, but most will grow satisfactorily in fairly heavy soil provided there is good drainage.
You will need to dig the soil to a depth of about 250 mm, break up clods to bring the soil to a mostly fine texture. If you dont have humus, put 5–10 cm of organic matter on the surface and dig in to spade depth. At the same time, apply animal manure, blood and bone, or a complete fertiliser. Agricultural lime or dolomite would also be beneficial if mixed in at the rate of about half a cup to the square metre. If possible, prepare the soil several weeks before planting.
Herbs like sun all day, although some like mint and parsley can have partial shade.
For herbs like chives, coriander, cumin, garlic, parsley, rocket and shallots you will need high soil fertility. You can use organic or complete fertilisers with a high nitrogen content that are usually used for vegetables. They will need lots of watering during summer, not so much during the winter months.

As for herbs like mint, lemongrass amd watercress (my personal favourite!), you will need the same type of soil as the last group. But because these herbs won't grow as well if they dry out, (and to be honest how many times have we let that happen??) it would be wise to mix in some organic compost with the soil and also give it some surface mulch to a depth of about 5cm, this will help it keep the moisture.
Good luck with your herb growing!
I will come back and post more on this topic shortly!

[Whitsundays]

jacky do you have a favorite soil mix/blend that you use for your herbs?

[Anne]

I'm a herb lover myself and thought Id add a little info regarding the basics of drying herbs!


First, remember that herb varieties can be either long and leafy or short-stemmed. Here Burns demonstrates with a few short-stemmed favorites: sage, oregano and thyme.
The first step is to carefully pull the leaves off the stems. Once you've removed the desired amount of leaves, lay them out (with space in between) on a fabric screen. The screen should be placed in an area with good air circulation and no direct sunlight.
Monitor the drying process over several days; as the upward-facing sides of the leaves begin to dry, turn them over to ensure that each side is able to dry completely. In about 10 days, your dried herbs will be ready to use!
If you prefer a speedier method, you can place your herbs on a cookie sheet and dry them in the oven, which should be set to about 90 degrees. (Important note: Make sure your oven doesn't get too hot!) The process will generally take a just few hours, with gas ovens requiring slightly more time than electric models.

[heather64]

:blowkiss:
Strangely enough herbs seem to taste better if grown in full sun. I have read somewhere that having 5 hours of sunlight of day can give your herbs 'a strong characteristic flavour'.
To avoid lower stems of perennial herbs becoming woody with age, you should tip prune them from an early age. Frequent picking for use keeps the herb plant bushy and growing strongly. You shouldn't pick all the leaves off the plant. Leave some to keep it going.
If you are planning a herb garden, I would suggest dividing it into separate areas for group 1, 2, and 3 plants. It definately makes it easier to maintain and ensure that each herb gets the best conditions for healthy growth. Although many herbs can be grown in just about any kind of container or pot in almost any area of your garden.
Another interesting fact about parsley is that it goes to seed every 2 years, so remember to plant new seeds before that 2 year period so as not to run out!
Mints are an herb that should be left in pots or a seperate area to the other herbs as it does have a tendency to take over.
If you use your herbs as much as I do you probably want to have them as close to the kitchen as you can for easy picking.