Growing Herbs Outside
I began my first herb garden in my parents’ backyard, tucked over in the corner beside the storage shed, encircling small Bradford Pear tree. Once I made up my mind to do a square-shaped bed I used red bricks to edge the bed and to divide it into 4 square sections. Each section was used for a different kind of herb.
Italian herbs in one section, such as parsley, basil and oregano. One section was for my tea herbs, including anise, chamomile, fennel and peppermint. In the third quarter I tried my hand at herbs with healing purposes, like calendula, aloe vera and horseradish. The last section had cosmetic herb plants like for lavender, chervil and lemon verbena that I used in soaps, lotions and shampoos.
I was really happy with the results that first year. The second year didn’t go so well, because the mints I had started quickly took over, my chamomile crept way outside the herb garden, and my lavender died from overexposure.
The second year was unsuccessful because I hadn’t taken time to think about what my herbs needed most: the right earth, the right kind of light and enough water.
Before you plant a single plant, be sure to check out the place where you’ll eventually put your herb plants so that you’ll know the best herbs for that place. Each plant requires optimal conditions to survive and prosper. Try herb plants like white willow, thyme, sage, poppies and lemon balm.
These are some other herbs that you can be successful with:
- Basil: If you plant basil, you’ll be on easy street because basil won’t need much help from you. Basil requires full or part-sun and can grow in a bed or pot, as long as it has good drainage, which reminds me to mention that you’ll only need to water it when the soil is dry. Use the sweet basil kind for your Italian meals for an unmistakable taste.
- Lemongrass: You can’t beat the smell of lemongrass. Whether you get it or cultivate it from seeds, this bright green, lemon-scented grass can add a hint of color to your garden and grow pretty high in just one growing season. Although you can begin with seeds, I pick-up mine from the local greenhouse, probably because I cannot wait to add that fresh lemongrass to my Thai and Indian dinners.
- Cilantro: I say “Ole” to this wonderful little herb that I only discovered a few years ago. It is not complicated to grow cilantro in your herb garden and it makes an awesome addition to your Tex-Mex dinners.
- Chamomile: To add some extra sparkle to your hanging baskets, try the German kind of this chamomile. Clip off a few of the leaves to try in your calming tea or even your bath for some added luxury. Chamomile is considered to be a sensual herb because it has a light and woody apple scent that will heighten your senses. It can also make you smile because it looks like a daisy with white petals and a yellow center.
Now it’s up to you to get started, with a little planning, you’ll be digging in the dirt in no time. Just do not get bogged down with trying to be perfect about it—there’s no such thing as perfect so just have fun with it.
Good luck with your herb gardening outside. Be sure to let me know how your herb garden grows.
Here is more information on Herb Garden Designs. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Herb Gardens.
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