A Basic Herb Garden Can Supply Most Of Your Kitchen Needs | Gardening

By TheAlternateMedic
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The use of fresh herbs to add flavor and taste to food is a universal habit. Now that cooking shows are all over the television, we are encouraged to try all types of cuisine from all over the world. As the professional chefs like to use fresh herbs in their cooking it is only natural that we should do the same.

It is quite easy to put in a basic herb garden to grow the ones used the most. Most of the common herbs used as spices in cooking can be successfully grown in average soil but some do request rich soil, such as oregano.

Some herbs, such as parsley are bi-annuals and can only be harvested after the plant is one year old. In this case it is suggested that you plant a second crop of parsley after the first year as the first planting comes into season ensuring that you have a constant supply from then on. Naturally there are plenty of other herbs which provide produce in their first year, these will make up the bulk of your basic herb garden..

Most herbs are tolerant of direct sunlight, these herbs are, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil and oregano. All they require is minimum amount of water to survive. You can harvest leaves, sprigs and twigs from any of your herbs as they are growing, you don't have to pull up the whole plant. This will provide you with fresh organic herbs for your kitchen.

Thyme is a very forgiving plant, if you forget to water it and it appears to dry out just add water and it will come back to life. As different herbs have different soil requirements and like to grow under slightly different conditions it is suggested that, having them separated by variety can help get them started and keep them growing and flourishing.

Plant Herbs Close To The Kitchen

For the sake of time and ease of harvesting planting your basic herb garden close to your kitchen makes a lot of sense. In the case of most herbs the entire growth does not have to be cut and used at once. With the right care, the spices will continue to grow and be usable during the entire season. As the season comes to an end drying or freezing the extra cuttings can possibly supply the herb throughout the winter, often lasting until the next crop produces the following year.

For those of us who have a space problem, try companion planting. If planting a basic herb garden takes more room than is available, certain herbs can be planted among other plants. Parsley can live well with other plants specifically tomatoes, asparagus and among roses. Broccoli and cauliflower also welcome rosemary in their midst. Basil also likes to grow alongside tomatoes too.

When companion planting, be sure not to trample the herbs under foot whilst weeding, pruning etc. Maintaining a basic herb garden is not a full time job and with little work you can easily be self sufficient in your fresh herb requirements throughout the year.

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Liquid Organic Plant Food For Your Herb Garden

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