Planning an herb garden can be fun and rewarding. Herbs have been in use for centuries for culinary, medicinal and aromatic reasons. For generations tribal leaders and healers passed down the herbal secrets. Many modern medicines have an herb base. Modern herbalist mix medicinal herb for their clients. Many herbalists also mix herbs for beauty purposes. But of course, the culinary herb is still the most widely used. You can become a kitchen gardener by growing an herb garden right in your kitchen on a sunny windowsill.
For the discussion of herb cultivation today we plant the herbs found in the Elizabethan era, so often mentioned in William Shakespeare's works. The plants are selected culinary herbs, medicinal plants and aromatic herbs, all the flavors and tastes of the time to experience.
Growing herbs is wonderful since the herbs can be grown in a variety of ways. Plant. A container garden for you deck or patio for great colors, different textures and super aromas Planning an herb garden in the ground allows you to cultivate a traditional kitchen herb garden outside. Or if you have limited space, an inner kitchen gardener and plant your herbs are displayed on the windowsill or in a window.
Remember when planning your herb garden, the herbs need well drained soil, they hate wet feet. Test your soil for the herb garden and make sure it is alkaline. All herbs need at least six hours of sunlight.
When Elizabethans planted aromatic herbs, culinary herbs and medicinal plants either a symmetrical rectangular or square patterns. The Elizabethans were very formal and felt their herb gardens should too. Their herbal gardens had walkways, as strolling through the garden was a popular pastime. They had no TV'S! If you plant your herb garden near a patio, think about adding a strolling path for you. The paths will add character to you herbal garden.
Be sure to plan a herb garden, take to consideration the growing habits of each herb. Plant the larger busier herbs in the back of the garden, the small, compact ones in the front. Most herbs are perennials meaning they will grow back every year. Each of the herbs that need to be planted annually should go in a place in the herb garden that is easy to reach. Give each herb plenty of room to grow. The herbs need air circulation to prevent mold growth. This stage of planning an herb garden is important because when the plants become mature they do not like to be moved.
If you plant an herb garden, you can either start from seeds or small plants away from the garden. The Garden Centre plants give a better chance of success in the herb garden. When using seeds, plan ahead because the seeds must grow for several months under certain circumstances, before they are ready to plant in the herb garden. Especially if you are a beginner, I would recommend away with the small plants from the garden.
Want to go to a reputable garden center buy herbs. Check your herbs closely to ensure that they are healthy. An infected plant can ruin your whole herb garden. When using the small herbs from the garden center you will be able to harvest your herbs much sooner. If you take the herbs to be planted in the herb garden, gently remove the plant from the pot and loosen the soil around the roots. Place the herbs in the place you have chosen or the container you have prepared. Cover all the roots with soil and gently tamp down. Give your new herbs plenty of water checking the moisture per day. Never let the soil dry out but do not make your herbs roots too wet. If you are planting a container garden remember that the dirt dry out faster then in a container on the floor. You might find that the herbs static for a few days. Do not fret that is shock but they will recover.
Once the herbs growth patterns you can start pinching off a bushy herb get learned. When you first start out, keep a journal for your herb garden to keep track of each herbs strengths and weaknesses. Once you know your herb garden to tell if the plants need attention in the area.
Over the centuries herbs have evolved into very hardy. Once it is established herb garden need very little care. In order mulch to hold moisture for the herb longer around the plants. This is a good garden tip whether you plant the herbs in container gardens or in the ground.
Herbs are natural insect repellent, but if you need to treat for pests be sure you use a non-toxic treatment since you will be eating your harvest. Marigolds are a natural repellent so you may want to plant a few of these flowers. Planting companion plants is how most Shakespearian gardens were done.
Harvest, once you have several leaves on the herb begin. It is best to cut your herbs before they flower to start for the best taste. This is where most of the oil stored in the leaves. Wait until all the morning dew has dissipated before cutting but harvest before the full sun. You can cut your herbs right before you want to use it. If the stems are tender these too can be used in your recipes.
If you have a bountiful harvest, you can freeze or dry the herbs. Dry them by hanging them upside down bound into a heap, in a warm and dark place. You can microwave them by. Between two paper towels and microwaving for 2 minutes Put them in an airtight container, they will last up to 1 year.
Freezing the bounty of your herb garden, it can take a little longer, a year to year and a half. Chop the herbs and on a sheet of wax paper. Freeze for at least 2 hours. Another method is to put the herbs in ice cube trays with water. Freeze until firm, pop them out and put them in the zip lock bag. Whenever the herbs for soups, stews or sauces, just throw in an herb ice.
Well, here is the list of Shakespeare herbs to plant in your Elizabethan herb garden and culinary herbs, aromatic herbs and medicinal plants. It will really make you a kitchen gardener.
Bay, box, Broom, Calendula, chamomile, chives, pansies, hyssop, lavender, lemon balm, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, Rue, Salad Burnet, Savory, Bachelors Buttons and Thyme. For more information about each herb, email me or search the Web.
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