How To Plant Herb Garden

Editor's Note: from http://www.indoorgrowing.org/
by : SONNY CHENOWETH

Growing herbs is rapidly gaining favor with gardeners today. Both the experienced and beginners are discovering the rewards of growing fresh herbs.  They are joining an age old pursuit of seeking to enjoy the delightful products offered by herbs.  This pursuit has touched all societies and ages.  These how to plant herb garden tips will help the beginning herb gardener get off to a good start on the path to fresh herb enjoyment.

Herbs are easy to grow and starting out they don't necessarily have to be grown in their own garden.  They can be planted in an existing flower bed or garden as long as it drains well and it will receive plenty of sunshine.  They can also be grown in pots that can be placed either indoors or outside.  If culinary herbs are being cultivated it is a good idea to plant them near the kitchen so they will be immediately available for cooking.

An enjoyable challenge to the beginning herb gardener is picking which herbs to raise.  In addition to culinary herbs other types include medicinal, aromatic, ornamental, beverage, pesticidal and industrial.  It is recommended for the beginner to start with familiar culinary herbs and expand with other type herbs as the confidence and experience levels grow.

Here are a few suggestions with comments for the new gardener's considersation.

SWEET MARJORAM - This is a good plant for growing in pots because it only grows to twelve inches and needs only six inches of space.  In warmer areas it can be a perennial but in cooler climes with frequent frosts it is an annual.  Its reward is the delicate flavor it adds to soups, salads, fish and lamb.

THYME - This herb is used to flavor poultry dressing and soups.  It grows to twelve inches and needs eight inches of space. It is a hardy perennial that becomes a shrub that produces leaves for flavoring.  It also needs rich soil.

SUMMER SAVORY - Excellent when used to create mouth-watering fish specialties and to flavor soups and beans.  This is a delicate little annual that germinates in only seven to ten days and grows up to twelve inched and requires five inches of space.  

BORAGE - This plant's leaves are a great addition to a tossed salad with its subtle flavor.  It does not like to be moved so it should be planted directly in the garden where it will reach a height of two feet and need twelve inches of space.  It is an annual.

LAVENDER - Here is an aromatic that a new herb gardener might like to try.  It is a hardy perennial with gray leaves and spikes of fragrant lavender flowers.  The leaves can be dried by hanging them in a cool dry space like and attic or garage.  The pleasant scented dried leaves can be used for a variety of purposes including freshening up a linen closet.

Armed with this information you are now ready to start your adventure in herb gardening so go for the gusto.