Judging how much water your herbs need
Where to place your herb garden
Most of the common herbs such as dill, oregano and rosemary require full sun, but make sure you carefully read the instructions that come with your plant or seed packet before planting. The best place for your herb garden may be near the house, so you can dash out for a quick harvest while preparing your meals.
Green shares these seed-planting tips:
-If you give the plants what they want -- full sun, water, decent soil, your herbs will want to grow.
-Don't bury the seeds too deeply -- wrist-deep will suffice.
-Keep your seeds damp in a warm spot.
If you're planting in pots, buy a well-aerated soil and make sure you amend it with the nutrients your herbs would get if they were planted in the ground.
Most of the common herbs such as dill, oregano and rosemary require full sun, but make sure you carefully read the instructions that come with your plant or seed packet before planting. The best place for your herb garden may be near the house, so you can dash out for a quick harvest while preparing your meals.
Green shares these seed-planting tips:
-If you give the plants what they want -- full sun, water, decent soil, your herbs will want to grow.
-Don't bury the seeds too deeply -- wrist-deep will suffice.
-Keep your seeds damp in a warm spot.
If you're planting in pots, buy a well-aerated soil and make sure you amend it with the nutrients your herbs would get if they were planted in the ground.
Watering your herbs
The most common mistake people make when tending to any garden is over- or under-watering.
Green recommends a simple finger test to figure out when you need to water:
-Sink your finger in the soil half an inch to an inch down.
-If your finger comes away dry, your plant needs water.
-If it comes away a bit damp, you don't need to water.
Your plants only need about an inch and a half of water a week - two inches if you have a sandier soil, suggests Green. A good compost helps your plants to thrive and a layer of mulch helps the soil to retain its moisture.
Reap for a continuous herb harvest
In order to enjoy the fresh taste of your herbs all season long, harvest your plant regularly, even when you don't need the herbs. Otherwise, your plant will flower or go to seed, signalling the end of your plant harvest for the season. "I describe it as a competition," explains Green. "If you can keep trimming, you win."
Herbs and mould
Grey mould can develop when your plants are overcrowded - particularly if they're in pots. Green recommends thinning out your plants and following this simple recipe using garlic, a potent fungicide:
-Place a clove of garlic in a saucepan with about an inch or two of water.
-Gently heat the water and let it cool down to room temperature.
-Soak the whole plant or use a spray bottle to apply.
To kill disease and pests with other organic solutions, seek an expert's advice at your local nursery.
Enjoy your home-grown goodies all year long by following our tips on how to preserve your herbs.
Page 2 of 2
Tara Nolan is the editor of CanadianGardening.com and regularly shares her gardening successes and failures in her blog, The Budding Gardener.
The most common mistake people make when tending to any garden is over- or under-watering.
Green recommends a simple finger test to figure out when you need to water:
-Sink your finger in the soil half an inch to an inch down.
-If your finger comes away dry, your plant needs water.
-If it comes away a bit damp, you don't need to water.
Your plants only need about an inch and a half of water a week - two inches if you have a sandier soil, suggests Green. A good compost helps your plants to thrive and a layer of mulch helps the soil to retain its moisture.
Reap for a continuous herb harvest
In order to enjoy the fresh taste of your herbs all season long, harvest your plant regularly, even when you don't need the herbs. Otherwise, your plant will flower or go to seed, signalling the end of your plant harvest for the season. "I describe it as a competition," explains Green. "If you can keep trimming, you win."
Herbs and mould
Grey mould can develop when your plants are overcrowded - particularly if they're in pots. Green recommends thinning out your plants and following this simple recipe using garlic, a potent fungicide:
-Place a clove of garlic in a saucepan with about an inch or two of water.
-Gently heat the water and let it cool down to room temperature.
-Soak the whole plant or use a spray bottle to apply.
To kill disease and pests with other organic solutions, seek an expert's advice at your local nursery.
Enjoy your home-grown goodies all year long by following our tips on how to preserve your herbs.
Page 2 of 2
Tara Nolan is the editor of CanadianGardening.com and regularly shares her gardening successes and failures in her blog, The Budding Gardener.
Advertisement
