Herb Garden Designs

Designing your herb garden can be either a bit daunting or a lot of fun. You will have a lot of questions to consider: Where shall my garden go? What plants will I be able to grow? Which herbs do I use the most? Do I want a theme garden? Will it be a formal or informal garden? How much time do I have to care for it?

First of all, settle on a location. Rather than planting your herbs in the garden, look out your kitchen window and see if there's a suitable spot nearby to locate them. By finding a sunny spot near the kitchen door, you will have fast access to your culinary and tea herbs. Another option would be to plant these herbs in containers on a sunny patio.

Now, think about how much time you have to maintain the herb garden. This will help you decide the style and size of the garden. Generally, a lot of herbs can be grown in a small space, if the growing conditions are met. A six to eight foot square or round space will be plenty large, and remember, you can always expand it later. A formal garden will take much longer to design and plant than an informal garden. Think about the type of herbs you use most, and plan your garden around them.

Design a Formal Herb Garden

Formal herb gardens, often called knot gardens can be beautiful additions to your yard.A formal herb garden is generally geometric in shape, subdivided into symmetrical spaces. Low hedges of herbs or box with paths of brick or gravel separate the spaces. Each space usually contains one type of plant, or perhaps one color of plant. You could plant culinary herbs in one section, tea herbs in another, and so on. The overall shape could be circular, square, rectangular or diamond shaped. Many formal herb gardens have a central point of interest - a tree, a fountain, or a statue.

If you decide on a formal garden, plan it out carefully on graph paper. Give your design enough room for both plants and paths. Look in garden books for inspiration, and find patterns that please you. Decide upon the type of garden you would like - devoted to culinary herbs, fragrance herbs, or perhaps a few of each. Think about color, foliage shape, plant height and spread, and how your herbs will fit into the sections of your garden for best effect.

Informal Gardens

More frequently, herb gardens are very informal, with herbs sprawling and creeping naturally. They seem to have a pleasing mix of textures and foliage colors. Do pay some attention to planning as you plant. Learn how large each will grow, both height and spread. You don't want to allow tall herbs to shade or over-grow smaller ones, or to have sprawling oregano overtake your smaller herbs.

You can plant your informal herb garden as a themed garden - culinary, tea fragrance or medicinal herbs. Italian culinary herbs, health enhancing herbs or edible flowers and herbs could be your theme. If you live in a hot, dry location, perhaps a Mediterranean theme would work, with lavender, thyme, sage, rosemary and oregano your main herbs.

Another informal but attractive herb garden could be planted with low growing herbs as a rockery. Roman chamomile, dwarf oregano and sage, winter savory, prostrate rosemary, pennyroyal and thymes are good rock garden herbs. Use local rocks to form the basis of your rockery, dug into the ground so they look natural, and intersperse them with your herbs, and perhaps a few marigolds for color.

Your herb garden, whether formal or informal, will be an investment of time, imagination and money that will repay you for years to come. Take the time to research and plan it and have fun with it.

Key Points To Success With Your Organic Vegetable Garden

 

Many people across the developed world are looking for new and rewarding ways to go green and avoid the pitfalls of modern food cultivation and supply. Organic gardening has become a popular method for ordinary people to grow their own vegetables, using only natural methods of fertilization and pest-control.

 

Food grown in this way is not only more healthy, but also tastes better. Organic vegetables and fruit are more nutritional, contain a higher vitamin content and have no chemical residue. Growing your own food without chemicals is also better for the environment.

 

There's also the fact to consider, that if you grow your own fruit and vegetables, you know what's in them.

 

Organic vegetable gardening is no harder than traditional gardening methods once you have the basics in place. I have prepared some key points that will help you to success with your organic vegetable garden.

 

More attention needs to be given to the soil than with a traditional gardening approach. Turn the soil regularly, whilst adding and mixing-in compost. Compost consists largely of leaves, vegetable scraps, dead flowers and grass clippings. Compost also retains moisture, has nutrients, acts as a natural pest-controller and will provide most of the materials necessary for your organic vegetable garden to grow and flourish.

 

I would suggest making your own compost heap at the bottom of the garden, or in some out-of-the-way corner. Add all of your crass cuttings, other garden and kitchen-food waste to the mix. Be careful not to add too much animal or fish remains.

 

Once you have your compost ready, spread it over the top soil. Make sure that the layer is about two inches thick. The compost will supply a large part of the minerals and other nutrients that your plants need to grow.

 

There are many organic fertilizers and other organic garden products on offer. If you are a vegetarian I suggest you check the label, because some of them contain animal products like fish oil, bone and leather.

 

Make sure that the seeds or plants that you buy are organic. These are easily available to buy online if you have trouble purchasing them in your local area.

 

If you are starting your vegetable garden from seeds, these will need to be planted either indoors or in a greenhouse. Plant them in a container with plenty of organic soil. Make sure that they have plenty of light and water, but don't over-water them as they can die easily. The soil just needs to be moist.

 

When your seedlings have two leafs on them it is time to transfer them to a bigger container. Consider potting your plants in biodegradable pots, as these can be planted straight into the soil.

 

As I have already said, your compost will act as a natural pest-controller. Organic gardening, however, allows for a certain level of insect and pest activity. Consider actively enticing insect predators to your crops, such as ladybugs and birds, by keeping a water source nearby. There are also some household items that you can use, such as garlic and hot peppers, to keep insects away.

 

These key points should guide you to success with your organic vegetable garden. When you harvest your crop, you will know that not only is the taste far superior, but that your vegetables are much more healthy than traditional methods of growing food.

Essential Supplies To Make Your Organic Garden Flourish!

If you are interested in growing your own organic garden, supplies to help you out are essential. Investing in these supplies won't make your gardening any less organic, because the special thing about these supplies is that they don't use any chemicals or pesticides. You will need a lot of these supplies to keep your garden thriving.

Whether you believe in using pesticides or not, pests are always going to be a problem when you have a garden to grow. If you are an organic gardener, you will obviously disdain pesticides or synthetic products and refrain from using them to help you with your garden. What is the alternative? What you can do is use natural means of pest control, namely insects and bugs that will eat the harmful pests that would otherwise have hampered the health of your organic garden.

Here is what you can use - natural insect repellents, beneficial insects, trap, pheromone lures and organic insecticides. Some insects that will act as predators for the harmful pests in your garden are the ladybird, the praying mantis and lacewing larvae. Many organic materials make excellent insecticide. They protect the plants without the harmful side-effects or add-ons of chemical products. They have an effect on the insects on contact or when the insects consume them. Insects may also be lured into traps. Critters and birds have the potential to cause considerable damage to vegetables.

Consequently, there are several supplies available on the market to trap them or scare them away. Weeds cause your garden to become unhealthy. There are weed control supplies available in organic gardening supplies stores, such as organic pre-emergent herbicide and slow release fertilizer.

In the rainy season, fungal spores are the causal factor in almost all plant diseases. Fungi may be cured by organic sulphur and copper products. A root named weevil removes knapweed very effectively. Soil boosters and fertilizers of a natural origin are used in the organic method of gardening, and are easily available at organic gardening supplies shops everywhere. Tools used for cultivation, the care of lawns and tree care are required in organic gardening. The essential supplies in this regard are the spade, fork, hoe and trowel. A lawnmower is also essential. A bow saw, pruning saw and secatures are required to take care of trees properly.

There are many stores exclusively selling organic gardening tools and supplies. You can get organic insect repellents; beneficial organisms and insects as well as organic insecticides may also be bought at these stores.

Joy of Gardening Cookbook

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This classic includes more than 350 how-to-do-it and how-to-serve-it color photographs. 128,000 copies in print.... More >>

Organic Vegetable Gardening For Delicious and Healthy Meals All Year Long

Once you have gotten everything together that you will need to create and maintain your organic vegetable garden you need something to plant in it. For many choosing what vegetables to grow is the fun part of organic vegetable gardening since you get to imagine what sort of vegetables you will see shooting up from your new garden. There are many organic vegetable seeds available for sale from retailers both online and offline. In fact, there are so many seeds to choose from that some people find themselves completely overwhelmed by their options.

If you are someone that has never grown vegetables before then it is important that you stick to vegetables that are easy to grow. Even though they might be vegetables that you have not usually eaten before or never thought about growing you might be surprised by the results. A good organic gardening book is helpful. Many organic gardeners have found that vegetables they usually hated when purchased canned or frozen, taste delicious when harvested from their own backyard. The following are a few vegetables that are easy to go organically and often a delicious treat.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a popular vegetable to grow at home because they can grow well in all climates. There are many different varieties of tomatoes available, many of which do not require any stakes or fences to grow against. Cherry tomatoes are especially popular because they are usually expensive in stores but are great in salads and served as appetizers in many recipes.

When growing organic tomatoes it is important that they get enough water and sunlight. In order to get the best results and the largest harvest possible you must be sure to pick your tomatoes as soon as they ripen.

Chilies & Peppers

Peppers are a great organic vegetable to grow if you are working with a small amount of space or growing vegetables in pots or containers. They will grow well and will grow almost all year round if the conditions are right. Peppers do not have to be harvested as soon as they appear ripe. This means that you can wait and pick your peppers as you need them.

When you do want to harvest all your peppers storage is very easy. They can be dried by placing them in a dark, dry, place with lots of air (an attic) for a few weeks. If you do not have a good place to dry peppers and chilies, they will often keep if stored in a tight glass jar. Remember that a good organic gardening guide is a useful resource to help you get started.

Zucchini

Zucchini and most squash/pumpkins are great for first organic vegetable gardening project. They are easy to plant and grow very quickly which means you do not have to wait a long time to actually start seeing results. Many people feel as if their zucchinis grow literally overnight.

When growing Zucchini and other squash it is important that you or your family members pick them right away. This will help encourage new plants to grow and will leave you with a large harvest. If you are growing pumpkins then you should wait to harvest them until all of the vines have died.

Peas

Peas are a favorite vegetable for many children so growing organic peas is a great idea if you are growing food for a family. Peas are another vegetable that will grow in extremely large amounts and will grow from spring, through summer, and even into winter. In some climates peas will grow nearly all year round making them a great source of fresh, organic, food.

When growing peas it is important that the plants have support usually in the form of a stake or support that can be found at a plant supply store or nursery. Peas must be watered often and watched constantly for weeds. Too many weeds will quickly ruin your crop of peas so weed them often and carefully.

Turnips

Turnips are another vegetable that grow quickly and easily. Both the root and the leaves can be eaten and turnips are great raw, roasted, boiled, or mashed. When growing turnips the only thing you have to remember is to water them often since turnips need a lot of water to grow.

Corn

If you have the space for it corn is a great vegetable to plant. Roasted or grilled corn is great addition to any meal and watching a corn crop ripen is a wonderful sight. Plus the corn stalks can later be used as compost!

When growing corn you have got to be sure the seeds are planted at least 15 inches apart. Make sure the seeds are well fertilized with compost when they are first planted and again in another two weeks. You will be able to start enjoying your fresh organic corn after the first silks appear.

Beets

Beets will grow beautifully in a well fertilized area and fresh organic beets will always be much better than anything you will find in a can or even in the grocery store. When growing beets always make sure there is enough mulch down to keep the soil warm in the cool months and cool in the summer. Make sure you harvest all of your beets before the first frost comes.

Potatoes

Seed potatoes are easy to plant and even easier to grow. Weed and hoe often for best results and it is best to plant them in larger organic gardens. Planting potatoes with your other crops will often help discourage some insects and children love digging potatoes in the fall.

Carrots

Plant your carrot seeds in early spring and once you have harvested the first crop you can always plant more. As long as the soil is loose and deep enough you can get carrots to grow. Fresh organic carrots are a great addition to any garden.

Green Beans

Planting green beans can help save you money if you are a parent or person that buys canned green beans often. Green beans can be planted as soon as the cold weather breaks and there is no chance of the ground freezing or the plants frosting. You can purchase seeds that will grow in a bush or those that will grow against a pole or stake. For smaller gardens it is usually easier to plant pole green beans.

Lettuce

Lettuce is an easy must have if you are a salad eater. There are many varieties available and lettuce should be planted before the weather gets too warm. The hot summer weather will cause your lettuce to wilt quickly but during the cool spring your lettuce will thrive.

Radish

Radishes are another great vegetable for salad eaters and one of the first vegetables a new organic gardener should try. They are easy to plant and can be grown all through summer and into the fall.

Spring Onions

Spring onions are easy to plant since they only need a lot of water to grow. They are a great garnish to any dish AND planting onions around your garden border will help discourage pests.

You can see that organic gardening for beginners is not so hard to do. The key thing in organic vegetable gardening is too be patient and carefully nurture your plants. And remember that even in a urban environment you can make your own compost, so keep all the cuttings from your vegetable garden.

Soil – Why Soil Is Important For Your Organic Garden

When you think about soil, often we think of the black earth that we dig up when we stick a shovel into the ground. If it is good, it is typically dark and robust with some kind of animal life crawling through it. It may also be very moist and have an almost earthy smell to it with a saline content. Some may be dry, light-colored, the kind that you would see in a dry area near your household or in areas that have not gotten rained for many weeks or months. Whether or not you are working soils with clay, many rocks, or that you have mixed yourself that has a good mixture of compost, it is quite possibly one of the most important ingredients to a successful organic garden. Here are a few tips on how you can improve your soil so that your organic plants can grow quickly and easily.

The first step you should adhere to is not using any kind of soil that is hard or compacted. This kind has no moisture, may be full of rocks and excessive salt contaminants that may hinder the growth of your organic garden. Your best choice is to either purchase a premium batch of garden dirt that you can use to grow your garden with. You should also add some sort of organic fertilizer whether it is an organic compost or some compost that you have made your self if you happen to have a worm farm that is handy. If you have decided to grow your organic food in a small area such as a small container that you can fit into any room that you have such as a pots or a planter, this may be your best choice especially if you are new to organic gardening or gardening in general so that you can get a feel for how the soil should look and feel to the touch.

Another important aspect of soil is to make sure that the plants that you have are planted are in a mixture that is balanced properly. This means that the dirt needs to have a consistency that is not too wet or dry. Some that is oversaturated may create a situation that will grow fungal infections more rapidly and perhaps even cause rotting to the root system of the plants you are growing. Proper irrigation if in a pot or planter can be made by placing holes at the bottom so that excess water can drain out and stagnate, creating an even worse problem. Likewise, plants that are not watered enough will simply not grow, wither and die. As with humans, we all need water in a balanced amount that will keep us hydrated and healthy as we go through our day and plants are no different.

Organic gardening consists of many different types of plants, most of which are found in your common grocery store. The only difference is that you are growing without chemicals or pesticides that will potentially be harmful to you and anyone else eating the plants as well as cause growth problems with the vegetables that you are growing. Common choices for many indoor or outdoor organic growers are lettuce, eggplants, and even many types of beans. Strawberries are also a favorite if you are a fruit lover. Make sure to maintain the pH balance of your soil as well depending upon the types of vegetables that you are growing in your organic garden.

Last but not least, the greatest soil in the world will not help your plants survive if you do not have the proper amounts of heat or light while they are growing. He that is the most important factor to consider because as it is exposed to more heat, it will dry up more quickly, and the plants themselves will use water more quickly due to the increased temperature. Watching out for the right levels of humidity are also important regarding the hydration of the plants in the composting material that they are growing in.

Soil, that we take for granted every day that we walk upon as we go to the store, to the park, and as we mow the grass around our homes, when growing an organic garden, it is a top item on your list when looking to succeed a growing organically based foods. Take the time to make sure that your pH levels, compost mixture, and moisture content is all at the optimal levels you for you plant one seed into your potential organic garden and you will be well on your way to success and healthier food in no time at all.

Home Vegetable Gardening Part II

Join Robert Norris, Associate Professor and Associate Botanist at UC Davis, as he discusses home vegetable gardening. Topics include controlling bird pests, irrigation practices, and transplanting. Series: "California Master Gardener Lecture Series" [8/2002] [Science] [Agriculture] [Show ID: 6676]

Vegetable Gardening Tips You Can Use Today

When I first started out gardening I wished that someone had a really good book on vegetable gardening tips.  Before learning from my grandfather, I tried to go out on my own and plant a garden and it was mildly successful.  By learning my gardening tips, you will make fewer mistakes!

It doesn't matter if you are a flower Gardener or a vegetable Gardener, in this article you will get some of my my greatest gardening tips ever.  You will hear me talk about asking the older gardeners in your community for their secret gardening information, because it is vital to your success and it will save you from years of mistakes.

The first thing I want to talk about is mulching.  It's imperative that you use mulch because it gives nutrients to the soil and it makes the garden look better.  Second thing I want talk about is the importance of keeping your plants healthy.  If you look out for the plants, they will look out for you, when it comes harvest time.  A healthy plant is a disease-resistant one!

My third topic is about those nasty pests and why we need to keep them from ruining our gardens.  There are many options available to eradicate pests from your garden and some Gardener's advocate using a watery soap solution, but I say to do some research on using a water and garlic mixture.  There are companies that have all-natural organic sprays, that are effective all-natural pesticides.

When it comes to using fertilizers, your best bet is to go with an all-natural approach and that means using compost.  The chemical fertilizers are not healthy for the plants, they're not healthy for you and they are not healthy for the environment.  What many people may not realize is, that chemical fertilizers can easily get into our water supplies.  Imagine trying to drink well water that is right next to a field that uses chemical fertilizers!

The next thing I want talk about is a suitable climate and you will need to do some research on your area's climate and I would advise talking to the older folks in your area that are expert gardeners.  Simply ask them what kind of vegetables can grow in your climate.  I also advise getting a very good gardening video series, that answers in detail these types of questions.

Want to improve the value of your property?  Do some beautiful landscaping and planting  to make an exquisite garden.  Not to mention, this will help the value of your home go way up!   Make sure that you plant your trees in the right places.  You want the sun to hit your garden and you want the trees to protect your house.  

Earthworms are vital to a thriving garden, but remember toxic fertilizers will kill them.  Last but not least, the best time to water plants is during the morning.  There are many more gardening tips, but I wanted a hit on the basics to help get you started.  To learn all my gardening secrets click here!

Herb Garden Design

Herb garden design should take into account how easy will it be to get to your herbs. If you plan to have a larger home herb garden, you might want to build a few small paths to reach all the herbs in your garden. Paths can also guide a user through a variety of fragrances produced by the herbs. A popular design resembles a cart-wheel with the wheel spokes translating into the garden paths. Gravel, brick or paving make good path material. Here the different herb types are grouped in rows.

The size and type of garden depends on personal interest, time, and space of the person planting the herb garden. If you are new to herb gardening, I recommend you start small. Some people like to mix their herbs with a mixture of flowers and vegetables plants. Your herb garden design should include a way for you to identify your herbs and a clear path to get to each herb.

Make sure that when you design your herb garden you put it in a place that gets plenty of direct sunlight. Herbs need about 4 to 6 hours of sunlight or more per day. You can have rosemary, chamomile, mint, basil lavender and oregano in your indoor herb garden. You can buy a set of new gardening pots for your indoor herb. Indoor herbs will grow in any kind of containers just make sure that the container has proper drainage.

Perennial herbs, however, will do better if you place them outdoors during the summer. Check for extremes in temperature since herbs don't take to them too well. Heat from the kitchen stove or radiator might shrivel and dry up your indoor herb garden. Ensure that the herbs get 6 - 8 hours of light every day. Keep on the lookout for insect infestation. You can rinse off any insects you see on your herbs. Avoid use of insecticides. Herbs can be used for cooking, tea and potpourri or just to enjoy their sharp fragrance.

Proper soil is an essential part of growing indoor herbs. Mix soil with sand and a small amount of lime to give your herbs the best soil condition possible. It would essential for its growth. And, before adding soil to your container, layer the bottom with gravel to make sure if it has suitable drainage.

Many herbs can be successfully grown in containers. Container-grown herbs can be designed to accommodate nearly any setting or need and are a great alternative to gardening in small areas. They can also be arranged into attractive groupings and changed around or moved as needed.

Herb garden designs are not too hard to maintain and can be done even by a beginner who would acquire the skills in the process. All level of skilled gardeners can try their hand in herb gardening and enjoy its simple yet effective results. There are different ways to design an herb garden. The best herb garden design is one that works for you.

Vegetable Gardening Tips for Beginners

Furthermore, the space of the garden and the availability of water play a major role in vegetable gardening. Keep in mind that gardening requires a lot of water so that your vegetables will grow. Anyway, having to grow a vegetable garden and nurture them gives you a sense of fulfillment and planting a healthy vegetable garden provide us so many benefits such as organic food, and minimizing expenses. In this article, we will talk about several tips on starting a vegetable garden.

 

Select the vegetables you want to grow

This is the most important step in starting a vegetable garden. We must identify first what vegetables we want to plant. It is easier on your part to plant vegetables that are easier to grow such as carrots, radishes, tomatoes and squash. You must research these vegetables first on what particular soil they are suitable.

Examine the quality of the soil

Once you identify on what vegetables you want to plant, you must check the soil quality. The soil serves as the lifeline of the garden. You must make sure that the soil and your vegetables have a good match. The pH level that is needed for your soil is 6.5. The pH level of your soil determines how much nutrients your vegetables will be given.

Choose a good spot

Once you know the soil quality, examine the location to ensure that your garden will have enough sunlight. A successful garden requires 8 hours of sunlight and make sure that there is adequate wind since too much wind will damage the crops. Moreover, ensure that there are fences available to protect your garden.

Maintenance of the garden

When everything is in place, all you need to focus on is how you maintain your garden. Water your garden at least once or twice a week. Make sure your plants are rehydrated and maintain their particular moisture.  Once your vegetables are ripe, harvest them. In addition, try to improve harvest more often in order to increase production.

Anyway, once you have your vegetables harvested, you can enjoy your newfound success as a gardener.

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