Why Knowing Your Herbs is Important
Before starting your herb garden, it is important that you know about the many different kinds of herbs out there. Learning about herbs will help you choose which herbs will be best for your garden, and will grow well in your part of the world. Some herbs can only be grown in certain climates. Other herbs can't be grown beside any plant because their roots tend to stifle the growth of others.
Learning these little facts about the many different herbs will give you a better understanding of herb garden dynamics. It will also let you know what you are getting yourself into, so you don't choose an herb that may take more time than you want, or may rob you of the pleasure of growing other herbs. While learning about herbs, consider the plant's size as well as the shape and color of their leaves and flowers. These details about your plant is good to know, and it may aid your decision in choosing herbs.
There are many herbs to choose from, roughly a hundred or more. This number can be truly daunting, especially for a beginner gardener. You may not know where to begin or which herbs you will be happy with. You can choose to go via trial and error and begin growing various herbs to see if you like them. This technique works for a lot of gardeners, and they make some great discoveries with their garden herbs, sometimes stumbling across an herb they never heard of before or never though they would like.
Most herbs can be grown in a typical garden or pot. This makes it easier to take an herb for a “test grow”, so to speak. You can choose just one plant from each type and see which ones you like in terms of flavor, color, fragrance, or home uses. When trying out many different herbs, you get the benefit of learning about each new herb and how it is unique.
The more you learn about your herbs, the more you will be able to decide which ones you can keep, and which ones don't suit your lifestyle well. At the end of the day you want to be happy with the garden that you planted. Testing out various herbs could be the best way to do so. It does take some time, though as you will need to watch how the herb grows and what it can be used for.
If you don't have the luxury of time, and trial and error will take too long, choose some of the popular and easy growing herbs that many beginner gardeners start with. These herbs are usually safe choices, and are very well documented in terms of how they grow, how to care for them, and what they can be used for. Not only are they popular among beginners, but their uses tend to be popular as well, which means you will begin to enjoy the benefits of your herb garden almost as soon as you plant your herbs!
Do not worry if you have never tried your hand at gardening before. The wonderful thing about herbs is that most of them are not picky about conditions. For as long as they get an average amount of six to eight hours of sun each day, and an adequate amount of water, they will do just fine. If you aren't happy with the herb, you can uproot it (or keep it in its pot) and give it away as a present. Herbs make lovely presents because you're not only giving the person a plant, but you are gifting them with all of its uses as well.
When giving an herb away as a present, add a small card to go along with the plant that lists facts about the herb. The person you are giving the present to will really appreciate knowing what the plant is and what they can use it for. Who knows? You may even spread the herb gardening bug!
