Herb gardening in broad-spectrum is based upon three important aspects: Assortment of the right plants, Preparation of the right kind of soil suitable for the plants and the after care of the plants, which is also the most significant of the three factors.
If we have to select which herbs we want to implant and grow, we should understand the types of herbs on hand. Herbs can be classified based upon their use, based upon the flavor and based upon their natural life.
Culinary herb gardening is one of the most familiar types of gardening, which can be established in the kitchen windowsill as a chia herb garden. In spite of this most common use, herbs have many other classifications as well.
Some of the main classifications are as follows, following which you can very well complete the first aspect of herb gardening namely assortment of the right plant.
Classification based upon usage:
Culinary herbs: Basil, Sage, Parsley, Thyme, Marjoram, Mint, Garlic and Dill
Medicinal herbs: Basil, Cannabis, Turmeric, Lemon grass, Ginseng, Dill and Dandelion
Aromatic and therapeutic herbs: Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme and Chamomile
Decorative herbs: Mint, Lavender, Chicory and Valerian
Cosmetics or dye herbs: Pokeweed, Plantain, Marigold, Basil and Mint
Custom herbs: Basil, Myrrh root, Mistletoe and Verbena
Classification based upon flavor:
Strong flavor herbs: Rosemary, Sage, Fennel and Perilla
Accent flavor herbs: Anise, Basil, Caraway, Catnip and Dill
Combination flavors herbs: Borage, Parsley, Chervil and Coriander
Classification based upon the lifespan of herbs:
Annual: Basil, Coriander, Anise, Chervil and Borage
Biennial: Parsley, Bristly , Sage and Caraway
Perennial: Catnip, Fennel, Chives, Comfrey, Horehound and Lavender
Evergreen: Bay leaves
Landscape for the herb garden:
You can plan a layout depending upon the space, the type of soil you have and the type of herbs you are going to sow. Your herb garden plan in addition to specifying the selection of plants must also see the soil environment and the preparation required for them. If your soil remain sodden most of the time, or if you can't bend for long times for gardening, you can choose for raised bed gardening. If you have space restrictions, you can go for the cartwheel design or ladder design in which the herbs are planted in layouts of the shape of ladder or cartwheel. You can use any substance to create such shapes.
You can also consider an assembly of herbs depending upon their life span. You can also plan the layout based upon the sizes of herbs.
Creating soil for herb garden:
You have to take extra care to see that the soil remains moist, gets full sun, has right alkaline levels, the drainage is good and the conditions of heat and moisture are suitable for the type of plants you are to raise.
While sowing the seeds for an herb, the soil should be pre-dug. The seeds should be sown in shallow but wide holes. In case of plants being sown, the plants and the top soil should be moist. It helps in fertilizing. If you are a novice, you could start growing herbs in pots, as it is easier to carry out that way.
All herbs have the common requirements that they all require full sun and the soil should be moist but not soggy. If you are planting in pots, make the bottom 1 or 2 inch gravel layer so that no water should deposit at the bottom of the soil. Raised bed garden could also be considered for a starter. Most herbs grow better in alkaline soil.
Never sow the seeds too deep. The smaller the seed, shallower it should be sown.
