Herb gardens are excellent for beginners. They are easy to grow and will relax you by the beautiful aromas. One sniff will relax you from a stressful day. Let’s face it. We could all use relaxation from things happening in today’s world.
Herb gardens are one of the most calming and straightforward in horticulture. Herb gardens are also universal and versatile plants. You can grow them in your backyard, in containers on your porch, or even inside during the winter. Herb gardens are also beneficial in other aspects of your life.
Other examples that herbs are beneficial are:
- Remedy headaches and cramps.
- Repel certain pests from your house, such as lavender, repelling insects like spiders and mosquitoes. You can plant it, use it as a cleaner, or apply it to your body.
Things to know before Planting
Before starting, consider where you will place your container gardens. Please think about the best place to place them, so the plants get full sun.
After deciding the location of the plants, you’ll need some supplies. Then, of course, you’ll need to make personalized decisions, such as what seeds or plants you want to grow and what type of container is best for you.
The supplies listed below are necessary for a container garden. The rest depends on your choice of herbs you want to grow or need and your lifestyle.
Supplies That You Need for Container Garden:
- Clay or plastic pots, milk jugs, bushel barrels, a window planter, etc.
- The type of container you use depends on where you put it. Ensure the containers you choose have access to drain water properly for your herbs.
- Also, a side note: I do not recommend any metal containers. They will rust in a few years. The metal container bins are pretty, but if you are on a budget, I won’t recommend them because you will have to repurchase them in a few years.
- Water. Depending on the location of the herbs, make sure that they are close to or at least easily accessible to water. This can be a hose, watering can, or sink. As long as you can effortlessly access water, you are golden.
- Seeds.
- Use whatever seeds or plants you prefer for a garden. You can get them at your local hardware store or plants at your local nursery.
- Markers.
- These will help you remember what is growing in your yard or your containers. For me, I know I forget what is germinating in my garden. Life gets in the way, and the brain farts come on from trying to remember everything. So, markers, like colored popsicle sticks, will work wonders. It doesn’t have to be expensive.
- Soil.
- You can also put composted soil in your garden. I like Miracle-Gro for beginners because it’s easy to use and has the nutrients your plants need.
- Gloves.
- If you are not used to getting your hands dirty, it’s okay. Grab some gloves and plant the herbs.
Step By Step Instructions
- Figure out the location outside where you want your container gardens. Make sure you factor in how much sunlight that location gets.
- Get all necessary supplies for the garden, such as soil, containers (if applicable), bolts for window container gardens (again, if that’s what you are doing), and a water source.
- Assemble the supplies and prepare the space for gardening. For example, if you need to sweep off your railing from grass clippings or a wasp nest near where you will be gardening. Make sure that you have a safe garden environment.
- Take the container you choose and fill the soil with 3/4 of it.
- Sprinkle a few seeds onto the top of the soil. I like to do about 4-5 seeds in a container if one of the seeds doesn’t germinate as it should.
- Put a thin layer of soil over the seeds and water. Please don’t drench the poor things. Instead, water them to dampen the soil.
- Repeat to other desired plants.
Congratulations! You now have an herb garden. You are probably thinking, now what? How do I tend to these herbs?” Well, no worries. You are in good hands. Every herb has different ways of caring for herbs. However, below, I have given you a basic “How to” so you can care for your container gardens.
How to Care for Herbs
- Put your herbs in full sunlight.
- After establishing your container gardens, ensure you water regularly for a few days so your seedlings develop roots.
- You don’t need to use much fertilizer, if any, to feed these herbs. However, too much fertilizer will attract pests that you don’t want.
- Turn your herbs every 3-4 days to ensure a balance of sunlight and your plants’ health. The herbs will lean to one side and look unhealthy if not.
Other Quick Tips for Herb Gardens
- Herbs, such as peppermint, fancy sweet soil (or soil that has a higher pH, AKA alkaline soil)
- If you test your soil for pH level, check to see that there isn’t too much alkaline. If you have too much acidic or alkaline-based soil, your herbs will not grow as healthy.
How To tell if your herbs have enough water:
- If the top of the soil is slightly dry, stick your finger into the dirt. You only need the first knuckle of your finger to tell if it is hydrated enough. If the soil is still wet where your knuckle is, your herb is okay for a day or two.
- Start with each container per herb. This way, there aren’t any issues with companion plants.
Now, you have all the tips and steps to build your herb garden outside. Whether you create a hanging container garden, place one on a railing on your apartment building’s balcony, or grow herbs on your porch, herbs are pretty simple to grow and thrive in.
Things to Remember
- 6-8 hours of full sunlight
- Check if the soil is damp by sticking your finger one knuckle down in it. Then, naturally, check the wet soil to see if you need water. This will give you an understanding of future watering.
Container gardens are my personal favorite. They are versatile. Take your herbs with you instead of leaving them behind if you need to move. The main thing to remember is every plant has different needs.
All that is left is to Enjoy Your Herbs! Happy Gardening, lovelies!
