When it comes to growing herbs, it is easy to get lost in the details of the growing process, and the specific needs of different types of plants. While it is certainly important to acknowledge that every plant will flourish in an environment that is catered to its own growth, it is okay to take a step back and look at the wellbeing of your garden as a whole.
This week, we are zooming out and bringing you a quick guide to herb gardening basics that will surely get you started on your gardening journey this season. Keep reading to learn more about how to prepare your garden, and what you will need to do in order to foster the most growth this year.
Where to Begin?
Before you bring home your Gardenuity Garden Kit, you will need to choose a strategic placement for your garden. Generally speaking, you should aim to find a place that receives plenty of sunshine and that is easily accessible so that you can water your plants often.
When choosing your location, be aware of what direction the sunlight will be hitting your plants from. If you are working with North or South facing sun, be wary of sunburn; this type of light is intense, and if your young plants are exposed to too much North or South facing light, they may burn. If this is your only option, your best bet may be to keep your garden inside, close to the window with a sheer curtain hung.
If you are working with East or West facing light, you should be good to go, as long as your plants will receive several hours of full sun throughout the day. The amount of sun that each herb requires varies. If you are wondering how to take care of specific plants, take a look at our articles that break down how to grow certain plants – they will include all of the details that you could ever need to know when growing a garden.
Don’t forget that the great thing about container gardening is that you can always move your container to a location that better suits your plant’s needs. Simply pay attention to how your plants respond to their location; if they look continuously unhappy, consider moving them to a new spot in your home.
Choose your Plants
This is the fun part! Choosing which plants you will introduce to this season’s herb garden means choosing which adventure you’d like to embark upon this year. Take a look at some of the herbs that we have done a deep dive into growing below:
Settling In
When you finally have your plants and container all ready to go, be sure to plant your herbs as soon as you possibly can. Remember that your plants have been in transit, and they are eager to be planted in a stable home. As soon as you receive your herbs, be sure to get them out of their box and into some sunshine, with a nice drink of water as well.
Keep your Plants Hydrated
One of the easiest and hardest aspects of gardening is learning how and when to water your plants. More importantly, learning not to overwater your plants. A great way to ease into the watering process is to give a light watering at the beginning of each new day. You can also test the soil in your garden; if the first inch of soil is dry, then your garden is due for a watering. Do not forget that once the weather is hotter and the sunlight more intense, your plants will need more water throughout the day.
Maintenance
The great thing about many herbs is that they enjoy being harvested regularly while they are still growing. It might feel nerve-racking to cut back your plants, but remember that this practice actually helps them to grow more!
When harvesting your herbs, it is best to do so in the morning. While each plant benefits from its own harvesting ritual, you can generally rely on using a clean pair of shears, and harvesting from the top of the plant downwards. Snip no more than ⅓ of the plant when you harvest, so that you can allow for continued growth.
Don’t Stress
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the upkeep of your garden, take a deep breath and take a step back. In reality, the practice of gardening is a game of listening and connecting with something greater than yourself. If your garden does not look absolutely perfect, that’s okay because, in reality, that is simply not the point. Remember, grow for goodness and have fun with it.
No matter what happens, what you grow will be able to be put to good use! Take a look at these 5 creative ways to use your herb garden leftovers to get inspired.
