Gardening herbs is a rewarding experience. The experience becomes even more joyful when one has the right gardening knowledge about the different types of herbs that can be grown at home. Once the gardener knows about growing nutritious herbs, he/she will enjoy the flavor and beauty for years to come. As a beginner, one must gain as much knowledge and tips for creating a home-grown herb garden.
Growing different types of Herbs
The flowers, fruits, seeds, and roots of a herb are used as food and medicine. Herbs can be distinguished into two categories:
- Medicinal herbs can be transformed into lotions, tea, and others to address a wide range of ailments. Herbs used as medicines like chamomile, Echinacea, calendula, and so on can be used for health and wellness purposes.
- Culinary herbs are used to spice up the dishes by adding a fresh and flavorful aroma. Basil, cilantro, and oregano are popular herbs used in cooking.
Depending on the interests and preferences, one decides to grow either of the types of herbs or both. But, it is vital to understand that starting small is the best decision, and then evolve gradually.
Choosing Herb Garden Plants
Before investing time, energy, and money in growing a herb garden, one must consider the following three aspects.
- The quality of the soil
- The space offered for herbs plantation
- The amount of sunlight required
The majority of the herbs don’t have any strict growing conditions. But it is always better to be prepared with plants that are a suitable fit for the space so that money, time, and energy get utilized properly.
Perennial versus Annual Herbs
Perennial herbs return every year, whereas, annual herbs need to be replanted every year. The exciting thing about perennial herbs is that it gets back to life and color every spring. Oregano, rosemary, and chives are some of the preferred perennials that are grown easily at home gardens. One must be careful to observe if any perennial herb species is not fit for a specific soil type or weather conditions.
Easy-to-grow Herbs
The majority of the medicinal herbs are quite easy to grow without much effort. Some of them include:
- Sage
- Thyme
- Basil
- Calendula
- Catnip
- Chamomile
The best aspect about the above-mentioned herbs is that they are not just easy-to-grow plants, but a powerhouse supply of culinary and medicinal properties throughout the season.
Growing Indoor Herbs
One can grow herbs indoors and even in containers. Herbs can be grown easily in urban areas as well on a balcony or a porch. Some of the herbs that grow easily indoors are:
- Parsley hates being left in the scorching summer sun. Growing it in a container allows one to move it in and out in the sun.
- When mint is grown in a container, it prevents overcrowding of other plants in the garden.
- Sage requires well-drained soil even when placed in a large container.
Some other herbs that grow easily in small pots are basil, coriander, chives, and oregano.
Conclusion
Growing herbs in a home-based garden are easy and simple, with minimal maintenance. This is also one of the reasons for its growing popularity. When one is planning to grow herbs in his/her garden, certain tips must be followed for a successful plantation.