Herbs are very healthy for the body and are believed to be instrumental in preventing certain forms of cancer. Herbs are a way to add that little something to a meal. Herbs go well with different types of meat, seafood and vegetable dishes.
Your local grocery store may carry an excellent selection of herbs but with one major drawback- the price tag. With the economy the way it is and prices soaring on everything why spend more money on herbs than you need to? A more economical and more enjoyable option if you are a green thumb is to grow your own herbs. The advantage of a container herb garden is that it does not have to be large and elaborate, and it can be started in a small area. You can grow it in a small pot on your patio.
There are many different types of herbs from which you can choose. Some examples include basil, mint, parsley, and thyme. Most herbs can be grown in a small pot or container and require a minimum of maintenance. Find out ahead of time which herbs grow very quickly and can overwhelm your container garden. For example, lavender and yarrow are two that can take up a lot of space in a short span of time.
Bear in mind that fresh herbs are less intense in their flavor than are dried herbs. For this reason, when you use fresh herbs in recipes you will use 3 times the amount of dried herbs.
Buy seeds of good quality to start your herb garden. Take the time to learn how to store and dry your seeds so that they do not go bad.
On the other hand, if you wish to start your herb garden from plants, then be mindful of how you plant them. Plant the herbs at the exact same height. If they are planted too deep, then you can run into problems, as you can end up suffocating the plants with the dirt. On the other hand, guard against planting the herbs shallow, as this can leave the hair roots exposed and vulnerable.
Roots need room to branch out so check the drainage holes of your planter on a regular basis. If the roots start to burst through the holes, then it is time to replant the herbs in a larger container.
