Optimizing Sunlight and Water for Your Herb Garden
It's been mentioned several times throughout this site that herb plants are easy to care for. After having read everything about pests and weeds, you might be having second thoughts. Pests and weeds don't happen all the time, and they're discussed so you know how to care for your garden should they occur. You really just need to water your plants well, with your chosen watering method of choice, and optimize the sunlight in your area.
Sunlight is essential to your herb plants as it is to all your plants. As your plants get bigger, though, they may begin to crowd into each other. You can think that this is a good thing because weeds will not grow in the soil below. This is true, but a garden that is too crowded will have fungus problems.
Fungus tends to grow on leaves and stems when not enough air and sunlight are going through your plants. It means that dampness is stored between the plants because of how crowded and bushy they are getting. Having a good amount of shadow is good for keeping weeds away, but make sure the plants don't develop fungus because of it.
To prevent fungus from forming, prune your herbs. Make sure they are not crowding each other and there is some space between each plant. Also, try to get the sunlight to touch your bottom leaves if possible. This isn't a must, but it can be helpful. What's nice about pruning your herb plants is that you are harvesting herbs at the same time. Never eat herbs that are affected by fungus, though, it can be bad for you and your family's health.
Now that air can circulate well among your plants, and sunlight will hit it, fungus is less likely to occur. Also remember to water your herbs in the early morning so that they have the whole day to dry out in the sun. Remember that fungus is caused by dampness, and watering in the morning can help prevent this type of atmosphere in your garden.
If the fungus doesn't go away, you can try applying a homemade fungicide to the plant. Mix half a teaspoon of vegetable oil with two teaspoons of baking soda in two quarts of water. Put the solution in a spray bottle and mix it well by shaking it. Spray this solution on the affected plants, including underneath the leaves, as this often gets forgotten. It should work at driving fungus away. If it doesn't, look at the organic fungicide solutions your local gardening store offers.
Apart from preventing fungus from forming, pruning your herbs are a good way to keep them in check, and their growth under control. It may sound crazy to want to keep your herbs under control, but you sometimes have to or they can disrupt the growth of other herbs.
Page Two: Dividing Your Herb Plants (Optimizing Sunlight and Water for Your Herb Garden continued)
