Own Herb & Vegetable Garden Tips

Own Herb & Vegetable Garden Tips

Having a dinner full of garden fresh herbs and vegetables is not only delicious but healthier than store brought herbs and veggies. Your body will thank you because there will be no chemical induced fertilizers or pesticides and your wallet will thank you because of all the money you will be saving.  Growing your own vegetables and herbs is a lot easier than it may seem. Below are some growing tips for creating an herb and vegetable garden you can be proud of.

Vegetable Gardening Tips

Plants and Spaces: Choosing the best plants to fit your space

Everyone wants to get the most out of their garden, this is especially true for those that are dealing with limited space. When growing your vegetable garden it is best to find a vegetable that does not spread out and can thrive in a smaller area. This will allow you to bring in more crops in a limited area.

Tomatoes are a popular vegetable to grow, it is a vine crop so ensure you have a place for the vine to grow. A trellis for your vining crops to grow on helps free up ground space. If you are growing vegetables that are close to the ground, the soil should be well-drained and in an area where it is exposed to the sun for at least six hours per day. Many vegetable seed packets will have instructions on the back for how to maintaining your plants in partial and full sun. This will also help ensure your plants have the best conditions for growing and will produce a better crop.

Make your gardening experience easier on yourself by planting plants that are easy to grow and maintain. Some veggies that are easy to grow includes:

• Green Onions
• Carrots
• Beets
• Peas
• Rutabagas
• Squash
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini Squash
• Beets
• Peas
• Sweet Onions

Keep The Weeds Out: Use Raised Planting beds

One struggle of all plant growers, aside from pests, is weeds. Early in the season you will want to plant your seeds in a bed that is raised off of the ground. This will give the plant a chance to create their root systems before the heat really begins to set in. It will also help to cut down on weeds.

Herb Gardening Tips

Choose the right planting space for your Herb Garden

When deciding on the placement of your herb garden there are some thing you should consider. Since herbs and spices are used in virtually every meal it is best to keep them in a sunny area close to the kitchen so you can easily access them.

If you are a beginner herb grower, much like vegetable gardens, it is best to stay with easy to grow herbs like:

• Sweet basil
• Rosemary
• Mint
• Parsley

These herbs like many others should be planted in sunny and hot areas so that they produce stronger levels of fragrant oils that gives the herbs their unique smells and flavors.

Some other thing to consider during the planning stage includes:

1. You can find a large variety of young herb transplants and seeds at your local garden centers and nurseries.
2. Herb plants do not have to be grown in a traditional garden space, some plant them as a border to outline a landscape. Container and rock gardens are also seen as a good place to plant herbs.

Planting your Herb and Spice Garden

In order to start your herb garden you will want to prepare the area by removing debris, weeds and rocks. Regardless of whether you decide to plant herbs or vegetables you will need to prepare and improve the soil by spreading a compost.

A good season to begin your herb garden is in the early spring. This is especially important if you live in an area prone to frost. If you are transplanting herbs purchased at a garden center or nursery then you will want to plant when the danger of frost has passed completely to ensure they thrive.

Tips: When transplanting younglings you will to make a hole in the soil twice as big as the root ball, place it in and cover it up to the same depth it had originally.

Try to space the herbs apart (seeds and transplants) as this will help make room for later growths. Once you notice your seeds are starting to sprout add a layer of mulch; this will help the soil hold moisture and keep the weeds out.

Warning: If you plan on planting mint it is best to grow it in a separate area as it will overtake the other plants as it begins to take root.

Caring for Your Garden

To ensure your herb garden is growing correctly you will need to have at least 1 inch of water per week, either irrigation water or rain water will do. Once your plants are large enough to sustain their own growth you are ready to use your herbs and spices for cooking. Depending on the herbs you plant some can be used to restock your herb supply. For example, Fennel can be dried out and replanted for your next garden.

So overall with a little patience and the tips above, it will make your vegetable and herb gardening experience fun and hassle free.