Herb Garden Plans - Easy Steps for the Herb Gardening Beginner

There's no doubt about it. Modern methods of cultivation and livestock rearing have given us bigger and better-shaped vegetables and better-looking meat, but what's happened to the taste?

So what do you do when you want to try and get a bit more taste back into your food? Do what our ancestors have been doing for hundreds of years by making regular use of herbs for cooking. The right choice of herbs can make the blandest of dishes tempting and exciting - even more so when they are fresh from your own herb garden.

Herb

The Cook's Herb Garden Plan

Herb Garden Plans - Easy Steps for the Herb Gardening Beginner

This article is about the first step in developing your own cook's herb garden - creating a plan. Once created your herb garden will provide you with an easily accessible supply of all the herbs you want in generous quantities. Don't worry if you have never grown herbs before. It's really not difficult providing you develop a plan in the way I have described below.

I don't intend to tell you everything about herb gardening in this article, but if you follow the steps I have suggested you'll have a good design and plan that will lay a foundation for cultivating all the plants you need.

Four Steps to Create Your Herb Garden Plan

1. Choose Your Herbs

The first thing you need to do is decide which herbs you want to grow. If you don't spend some time thinking about this you'll end up growing some you don't need, and leave out some of the others that are essentials for your cooking.

There are 100's of herbs to choose from that you could include in your plan. Some thrive in sunny spots and well-drained soil and others prefer shade and damp conditions. A good rule is to choose a sunny spot. However, you need to know about the ideal conditions for each of your chosen herbs so that you can position them correctly in the garden you'll develop once you have produced your plan.

Start choosing your herbs by writing down a list of the ones that you are familiar with or that are commonly used in cooking. In your list write the names first, but leave space to also write down the type (annual or perennial), the best position (sunny, shade) and best soil conditions (well-drained, moist etc). Also leave space to include the height that each plant will grow to.

Now extend your list with other herbs. Consider choosing from the following herbs that are frequently used in cooking - sage, tarragon, marjoram, basil, lemon thyme, fennel, chives, parsley, rosemary, bay, garlic, mint and thyme.

You'll need to do some research to complete your list, but this is a very important step in developing your plan. When your list is finished it should include the names of twelve or so herbs and the additional information I described above.

2. Choose Location & Decide on a Herb Garden Design

Ideally your herb garden should be near the kitchen so that it's easy to harvest the herbs fresh when you need them. A good size for the garden is 4ft x 6ft. This should enable you to plant all the herbs on your list, including a couple of bushy perennials. Try and choose a spot which is south facing. If some of the herbs you have chosen need a shady spot plan to use the larger plants such as bay, tarragon, and rosemary to shade them.

The simplest herb garden design to choose is a rectangle, but also think about other designs such as the "island" and the raised bed. Or think about creating a long herb garden boarder (good if you have a sunny wall in your garden). Choosing your design can be lots of fun. Here again, try and do some research on different designs in your local library or on the internet.

3. Check Soil Conditions

After you have chosen a position for your herb garden you must check on the soil conditions. Although some herbs prefer other conditions, a rich, well-dug, well drained soil is ideal. You may need to dig in plenty of organic matter to enrich your soil, but make sure that it doesn't contain any weeds, especially perennial ones. If it does, you'll risk pulling up your herbs when you try to remove the weeds once they begin to grow again.

4. Draw Out Your Herb Garden Design

Now you have chosen your plants and your herb garden design, draw a diagram of your garden on paper (graph paper if you have any). Draw it out to scale. Make one foot of the garden equivalent to two inches on your paper.

Now use some different colored paper to cut out rough circles to represent your herbs when they are fully grown. These circles should have a diameter equivalent to the height each plant will eventually grow (use the same scale of one foot to two inches). You may want to grow more than one of some types of herbs (e.g. sage and basil), so allow space for these as well. You should only need one each of the larger herbs such as rosemary and bay.

Put the cut circles onto your scaled paper diagram and move them around until you have good positions for all your herbs. Some people also take into account the color of the flowers that the plants will produce, but I suggest you avoid this complication. Once you have gone through one growing season you can easily move your herbs for the following year (but don't keep moving the perennial herbs).

When you have created your herb garden design, you'll know exactly where to plant your herbs. A good tip is to use some colored sand to create full-size circles on the ground in positions exactly corresponding to those in your herb garden design. This will make sure you plant your herbs in exactly the right spots with the right amount of space around them to allow for growth. Don't forget to try and take into account the needs of the herbs that want a little more shade.

Summary

Your plan will enable you create an attractive herb garden that contains all the plants you need for your cooking. After your first year herb gardening you will probably want to change some of the annual herbs you chose in your original plan. That's quite OK, that's all part of the fun of growing herbs. You may also want to enhance the appearance of your herb garden with statues or ornaments so that you end up with a garden of herbs which looks good, smells good and improves your cooking!

Herb Garden Plans - Easy Steps for the Herb Gardening Beginner

This article by Adam Gilpin has been produced to support his extensive program of on-line activities to promote a wider interest in herb gardening. Adam has been an enthusiastic gardener for many years. He is involved in many aspects of gardening, but has a particularly strong interest in herb gardening.

Please visit Adam's website at http://www.herb-gardening-help.com/ to learn more about the secrets of home herb gardening. You'll also find lists of herbs and diagrams to help you with your herb garden plans and details about his new book on herb gardening which has just been published by Oxford Digital Press.

(c) Copyright - Adam Gilpin. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Herb Garden Plants - Bulbinella - Better Than Aloe Vera?

Liliaceae

Appearance

Herb

Several varieties of Bulbinella Frutescens exist, some with long, thin racing green leaves, and some having a more yellowish leaf. The most common one is the yellow-flowered plant which looks a bit like a garlic chive but has round succulent leaves and grows to about 150mm (6ins)This is the bulbinella most commonly used as herb garden plants in many gardens as well as in rockeries.

Herb Garden Plants - Bulbinella - Better Than Aloe Vera?

History

Bulbinella has long been considered the pharmocopeia plant of the herbal world; the fleshy leaves yield a jelly like sap that has multiple virtues and applications - as you will see under the 'usage' section. Bushmen and iron age dwellers of Southern Africa knew and understood its virtues. It has long been a part of the traditional healers arsenal.

Usage

1. Medicinal Usage - Express some sap from a leaf to get immediate relief from:

• Eczema
• Fever blisters
• Blisters
• Pimples
• Burns
• Rashes
• Itchy spots
• Cracked skin
• Cracked lips
• Cold sores
• Mouth ulcers
• Sores and rashes on domestic and farm animals
• Painful insect stings

2. Aesthetic Usage

Although referred to as herb garden plants, bulbinella is also regarded as a valuable landscaping plant for its reliable growth pattern and bright all year round colour. Drought and pollution resistant, it is almost impervious to frost.

3. Cosmetic Usage

Just like the better known and much vaunted Aloe Vera, extracts of bulbinella sap can be used as a basis for skin creams.

Cultivation

Bulbinella is a gardeners dream; simply split a bunch and replant without missing a beat. Wind resistant, drought tolerant and a prodigious grower - bulbinella is all this and more. Equally responsive to landscapers filling those awkward spots where nothing else can thrive and to apartment window sills, bulbinella responds well to light composting and regular watering and will reward the diligent gardener with hosts of flowers.

Propagation

Propagation is so easy that I feel guilty about including a sub-heading on the subject. Split a bunch of bulbinella and plant out or break off a leaf and plant. How about that.

Harvesting

Help yourself whenever you want but stop short of denuding the plant.

Herb Garden Plants - Bulbinella - Better Than Aloe Vera?

Pete Steel has grown herbs for 25 years in several different climates and soils. He reviews herb growing books and writes about herb garden plants and herb usage.

How to Winterize Your Home Herb Garden

In order for your herb plants to survive harsh winter conditions you want to be sure to winterize your herb garden. This will enable your plants to come back strong in the spring to continue to provide you with a great bountiful harvest.

Winterizing your home herb garden is not rocket science. Mother Nature has her own magical way of preparing for winter and you will see, as fall approaches, a slowdown in the growth of your plants. Your herb plants will begin to lose their leaves. Don't be alarmed if your perennial herb plants look as if they are dead. They are not dead. They are merely dormant - hibernating, so to speak, to survive the winter.

Herb

There are a several reasons you want to pay attention to the condition of your soil as winter approaches. Many herbs like their feet dry anyway because they are from the Mediterranean. Thyme, rosemary and lavender actually prefer dry soil. But you should be aware that wet soil will wick the heat away from your herb plants. Also, water freezes and can crack the roots of your plants.

How to Winterize Your Home Herb Garden

"Old Man Winter" can be quite hard on your plants. Be sure to take a few extra steps to care for them for their winter protection and survival. Herbs are especially prone to root rot over the winter if they are sitting in wet soil.

Definitely do not fertilize or prune your plants at this time. You don't want tender new growth getting nipped by the cold. You can, however, go ahead trim out dead or damaged stems and foliage.

The best protection you can give your herb plants is mulch. If winter temperatures in your area generally fall below -10 degrees Fahrenheit you will want to lay down lightweight organic mulch around your plants. Shredded leaves, pine needles or straw will do the trick. Some people even use sawdust. However, if you want your herb garden to continue to have a more manicured look, you will most likely opt for a commercial mulch mix. Stay away from whole leaves or heavier mulches as these can suffocate your plants.

I know you want to make sure your herbs see it through to another summer, so what you do throughout their growing season is vital. If you haven't paid much attention to "lightening up" your soil throughout the summer months, please make it a priority when fall comes calling. It's the best way to help ensure herbal survival through the winter months.

Your small annual herbs are perfect for digging up and putting them in pots to spend the winter indoors. Find a sunny windowsill or plug in the fluorescent light. This way you can continue to have fresh herbs.

Even though we all know the most fun in herb gardening is planting your seeds, watching them sprout and grow strong to provide you with wonderful herbs for cooking or other purposes, you do want to pay close attention to winterizing your herb garden. Taking the few steps to winterize your herb garden will enable your plants to come back strong next season.

How to Winterize Your Home Herb Garden

Linda Stevens has been herb gardening for over 10 years. Her exclusive book, "From Design to Harvest: Your Comprehensive Guide to Starting a Home Herb Garden" will teach budding herb gardeners absolutely everything they need to know about home herb gardening [http://www.homeherbgardentips.com/hhgt.html].

[http://www.homeherbgardentips.com]

Different Types of Herb Garden Plants

Most people are not familiar with the different kinds of herbs. Some thought that herb plants are only used for cooking. Some are not aware that they can also be used for medical and for spiritual purposes. With this piece of writing, you will broaden your knowledge about the various types of herbs, their uses and the benefits we can get from them.

Like any other kinds of plants herbs go through the life cycle of plants. They are also categorized as annuals, biennials and perennials. This classification system lets you know how a specific plant goes throughout the cycle. If you are curious and want to find out more about herb plants it is a must that you study or do your research, since each herb is unique from one another.

Herb

Do not expect to do the same treatment or care for each herb, since each has different cycles to follow. Like annuals, they cannot live in a cold place. They are also the types of plants that grow from seed to seed. Cilantro and basil are just some common examples of annual herbs. Unlike annuals, perennials can grow and survive in frosty places. They keep on seeding and blooming for a couple of years. Winter savory and sage are considered as perennials herbs. Biennial herbs take two years to complete a life cycle. Favorite biennial herbs are caraway and parsley.

Different Types of Herb Garden Plants

Most common uses of herbs are for culinary, medicinal, religious or spiritual and as pesticides. Culinary herbs are the most popular among all others. Some of the most wanted culinary herbs are thyme, sage, basil, chives and savory. Due to their flavorful taste, you only need a small amount of these herbs to add zest to different kinds of cuisine. For garnishing parsley won the title for the most used decoration for dish styling.

Herbs are also known for their wonderful smell, that is why they are commonly used for aromatic oils, potpourri and perfumes. Some of the aromatic herbs to use in potpourri are lavender and lemon verbena. Through the years, herbs had been known to be beneficial when it comes to healing or medicinal needs. Even in the past, Chinese herbal medicine has been greatly used to cure some sickness and has been proven to be effective. Herbs are also known to be a great help to some gardeners. Because some herbs like spearmint, penny royal and peppermint are well known to keep pests like ants, flees, mice and moth away. They are usually planted surrounding the house. Another kind of herbs is the ornamentals that are distinguished by their vibrant colors.

Although most herbs are useful to our everyday lives, not all of them are safe for human consumption. That is why it is very important to carefully choose the herbs you are about to use, may it be for culinary, medicinal and ornamental. By learning the different uses of each herb, you will be sure to enjoy the many wonderful things this plants can offer, just always be vigilant with those that has toxins in it.

Different Types of Herb Garden Plants

Fodhil is a herb gardening enthusiast and experimental, and love to share idea in herb gardening topics.

Drinking Chamomile Tea Benefits Your Health - 9 Reasons to Grow Chamomile In Your Herb Garden

Growing chamomile tea will not only  benefit your health, it will entice your senses. The scent of the tiny daisy like flowers of the Chamomile plant smell like freshly cut apples.  Chamomile should be a part of every basic herb garden. It is a hardy annual that adds beauty, attracts bees and butterflies due to the sweet fragrance the blooms give off, and makes a sweet flavorful tea. This is one of the pleasures of growing herbs.

One of the safest and gentlest of herbs, Chamomile has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. Ancient Egyptians used the ground flowers to drink for fighting colds, calming nerves and alleviating skin irritations.

Herb

Modern science is now proving that the ancient cultures knew what they were talking about. Here are nine reasons you should consider growing Chamomile as part of your basic herb garden:

Drinking Chamomile Tea Benefits Your Health - 9 Reasons to Grow Chamomile In Your Herb Garden

• Chamomile has proven anti bacterial properties that enhance the immune system. It can be used in a steam for respiratory ailments such as hay fever, sinus infections and asthma.
•  Has been used to decrease inflammation. The unsweetened tea is used on the skin to fight acne, skin      irritations and bee stings.
• Chamomile has been proven to have properties that relax the muscles. Taken as a tea, it helps with menstrual cramps and sore muscles. It can also be used in a bath, to decrease muscle soreness and improve skin irritations. The sweet scent from the bath water will also brighten your mood.
• Chamomile when made into a tea is known for its calming effect and it often taken before bedtime to aid in a good night's sleep.

More drinking and growing Chamomile tea benefits your health

•  New research studies show that the tiny daisy like flowers may have a chemical that will decrease the complications of Type 2 diabetes. This chemical has an affect that increases the ability of the cells to allow sorbitol to pass through the cell wall. In Type 2 diabetes, the sorbitol builds up outside the nerve cells and eyes causing pain and blindness.
•  A cup of Chamomile tea to rinse your hair after it has been washed will bring out the gold highlights in brunette or dark blonde hair.
•  If you are an avid gardener and start your plants indoors, Chamomile tea sprayed on your plants will prevent the seedlings from developing any type of fungus.
• Used in composts, Chamomile tea is thought to increase the calcium level of the soil.          
• Chamomile is safe for babies and is often make into a tepid tea to ease gas pains and soothe a teething baby.

There is nothing more soothing and appealing to the senses than to experience Chamomile tea made right from the blooms out of your own garden. I drink dried loose leaf Chamomile tea in the winter. But, in the summer, taking time to go out and pick the blooms and smell the sweet scent relaxes me. As I wait for the tea to steep, I experience the refreshing scent of newly cut apples. As I taste my tea from the garden, it is a lightly sweet taste that I feel does not need any sweetener added.  I know that when I use the loose leaf dried Chamomile tea, I often use a spot of honey or a touch of apple juice.  

Drinking and growing Chamomile tea not only benefits your health, your senses. The addition of this plant will benefit your garden as well. I hope you will choose to make this herb part of your basic herb garden year after year.

Drinking Chamomile Tea Benefits Your Health - 9 Reasons to Grow Chamomile In Your Herb Garden

Connie Bednar has been a tea enthusiast all her life. She enjoys sharing information about loose leaf tea and so her web site http://www.your-cup-of-tea.com was born. Learn more about herbal teas such as chamomile and other herbs on her web site. Take the time to sign up for "Tea Note Speaker" her newsletter while you are there and take advantage of her complimentary tea e-course.

Garden Herb Planter - For Indoor and Outdoor Gardens

Herb gardens are becoming the definitive choice of more and more gardeners because it provides for their cooking needs. A garden herb planter is important if you want to add aesthetic value to the indoor or outdoor herb garden you are growing. You can find differently sized and designed planters available in your local garden shops as well as online.

A garden herb planter will come in many different designs which would go well both indoors and outdoors. Some people have problems with indoor gardening because they might not have a lot of space in their kitchen. A great solution to that problem is a stackable herb planter like Stack-A-Pots' mini garden stacker, available in Amazon for .99. This is self-watering and can hold nine or more plants. It includes a hanging chain and it's both stackable and hangable. The product measures approximately 2 ft. tall with a diameter of 11". It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use but it will be perfect for indoor gardening because of its space-saving design. You can choose from 4 available colors like terra cotta and stone, plus the purchase would come with a 1-year limited warranty. It is also an ideal gift for a friend with a green thumb.

Herb

If you have a modern-styled home or kitchen, you would need a contemporary looking garden herb planter to go along with it. The Chiasso Mesa Herb Planter is available online in the Chiasso website for . This has a sleek and simple modern design which comes with 3 metallic small pots and a tray. This great garden equipment is made of lead-free aluminum and measures 3.5" (pot), 13.5" L x 4.5" W x 3" D (tray). It is designed with no drainage holes and gravel or sand is recommended to use for drainage. Its compact size would make it easy to place in window sills or small kitchen counters and centers. It is perfect to use for any kind of herb seed. Chiasso is a great source of modern-designed furniture, tool and décor for your home. There are other choices of stylish planters and vases that you can select from.

Garden Herb Planter - For Indoor and Outdoor Gardens

Another popular brand you can use as a garden herb planter is Oxford Garden. This English wood planter measures 15" high and 15" square and available in Amazon for 9.99. It is made of Shorea, which is a lot like Teak but more heavy and dense. It comes in 5 pre-assembled pieces that is designed for easy assembly and removable bottom. Aside from herbs, It can also be used for growing fruits like tomato or flowering plants. You can also buy this in a set of 3 garden planters, which comes in different sizes and costs around 0.

Since it takes some space, it would be best to use for outdoor gardens. For those with smaller kitchen and indoor spaces, opt for mini-planters or the newly popular aero gardening system which also works well for growing different kinds of herbs. The right garden herb planter will not just help your plants grow healthy and strong, it will also add color and style to your living space whether indoors or outdoors. Your garden will be much more attractive with the perfect planter box. Enjoy comparing your options and find the ideal planter for your herbs.

Garden Herb Planter - For Indoor and Outdoor Gardens

These are just a few of the options in an herb garden planter.

Next, discover how the different types of garden supplies at www.gardenhelpunlimited.com [http://www.gardenhelpunlimited.com/] that can really save you time and money.

Assessing Herb Garden Light Requirements

All plants need light to grow, although some require more light than others, just as some plants need more water than others. Similarly, some herbs will thrive in shady conditions, while others will only flourish in direct sunlight. So before you start planting your herb garden, be sure to assess the herb garden light requirements for all the herbs you would like to include. The same applies to herbs you are going to grow indoors. If you can`t provide sufficient light, then reconsider your options to avoid disappointment.

First let's consider the garden as an herb location - because this is the most usual option.

\"herb Garden\"

The best location will usually be one that gets plenty of sunlight, but also gets some shade and is sheltered either by trees or by walls, fences and screens, or planted hedges. It is not very easy to grow herbs directly under large trees, not only because of the constant shade they give, but also because of the roots they send out. However, plants that grow naturally in woodland will generally survive and even thrive. These include woodland plants that spread with creeping stems and runners or with bulbs. They include:

Bugle, a traditional wound herb that is a creeping, hardy perennial that gets erect stems of blue flowers in early summer,

Ramsons (Allium ursinum, also known as wild garlic, pertaining to the garlic and chive family) that spread easily to make a good ground cover with edible garlic-flavored leaves,

Hellebores which, although toxic, have been used for thousands of years as purgatives and sedatives,

Pennyroyal, an attractive, highly aromatic, creeping mint that thrives in a damp and shady location, and

Valerian, a hardy perennial that spreads easily in shade, traditionally used as a sedative or painkiller.

Heavily shaded herb beds generally flower from late winter to late spring. Plants that prefer a little shade will generally flower later. These include angelica, foxgloves, wild strawberries, and sweet cicely.

Herbs that will tolerate a little shade include several salad plants: chives, chervil, rocket, the mints and parsleys and garden sorrel.

Most perennial herbs will survive the winter, although some will inevitably die if weather conditions are severe. While you won`t be able to uproot all your herbs and bring them indoors, you can transplant some of the precious ones and take them inside to overwinter. Just remember that if they don`t get sufficient light indoors, they are likely to start dropping leaves and even turning yellow.

In this case you might need to look at artificial grow lights that will provide your plants with the ultraviolet rays they need. Remember that they only need to be exposed to these lights for the duration they would be exposed to sunlight in normal circumstances. The choice is between:

fluorescent lights, and high-intensity discharge light.

Take your pick.

Assessing Herb Garden Light Requirements

Henry Thomas is an herb gardening enthusiast who has grown herbs for over 15 years and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing activity. For great information on herb garden light [http://herbgardening-ultimatesecrets.com/herb-garden-light/], visit [http://herbgardening-ultimatesecrets.com/]. His newest book, "Herb Gardening - Ultimate Secrets", teaches beginners herb gardeners everything they need to know about.

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Profit From Growing An Herb Garden

 Do you want a business that doesn't take a lot of time, money and effort to start up? Do you have some space in your patio or terrace, or maybe even a garden? Do you have a creative way to market herbs whether fresh or dried, processed into oils or vinegars, made into herb wreaths or potpourri? Is it possible for you to offer it to your friends or even place it on the internet? Do you have the determination and patience that it takes for you to make that extra money?
    
Growing herb garden as a business venture requires only a minimal one-time investment. There are a lot of herb kits available out in the market today, but taking a trip to different herb gardens or checking out garden websites on the internet will help you save money. Herb kits are more expensive and less cost effective than buying would be some seeds, soil, fertilizer and maybe some containers. Growing herb garden is easy and there is a lot of helpful material that you can read to get started. Knowing the how to grow herbs will help you avoid mistakes and ensures that you garden will grow as bountifully as possible. At first, you may need to buy seedlings, but once you get to learn how to start growing herbs from seeds, you will be able to save money by harvesting your own seeds for the next time you will plant.
    
You don't have to start up with a lot of plants right away. You can start of with a good number of plants and from these herbs you can get all you need for the next time you plant. Your initial inventory of herbs can not only double, triple, quadruple...you will be amazed how many new plants you can get from one herb plant. You will get to expand your herb garden without ever having to buy another plant.
    
After a few months, you can start selling the whole plant. It is also possible to create your own unique herb kits. You can get bulk orders ahead of time from you friends and deliver them freshly cut herbs.
    
Then you can even process the harvest that you can't sell immediately. Dry herbs and place the in decorative jars to sell. Make a unique kind of herbal vinegar or oil to wow your friends. Make herb sachets filled with aromatic potpourri. The things that you can make will be preserved for nearly half a year and that will give you a lot of time to peddle your wares. You can even save money by giving it away as a gift. Giving your products away as a gift serves the purpose of having people sample your products. Make sure to label it properly so they know how to find you and make their orders.
    
So are you ready for this business venture that has enormous expansion potential? Are you sure you know how to do everything that was mentioned above? If you want to succeed having an herb business, it can be done with learning how to grow an herb garden and the many uses of herbs so that your investment can be maximized.

\"herbs Plants\"

Profit From Growing An Herb Garden

Ginny Greene is an herb garden enthusiast. Visit Herb Garden Center for more tips on how to grow an herb garden

See Also : World Health Club Yoga What to do to lose weight

Letting Nature Grow Your Garden

It is wisest to let Nature have Her way. Nature has her own agenda, and your life as a gardener will be easier if you bow to Her desires. Better to dance with the fairies than struggle with eliminating "weeds". What herbs already grow around you that you can use as teas and seasonings? Most areas are rich in such plants, both native and introduced. Many of them will be happy to grace your garden with very little effort on your part. Some will appear; others may want to be transplanted. Still others are simply there, waiting for you to notice.

For instance, pine trees. Pine needle vinegar is an exquisite treat that is easy to make. I call it homemade "balsamic" vinegar. Fill a jar with pine needles. (I prefer white pine, and pinyon pine is even better, but the needles of any pine are fine.) Cover needles completely with apple cider vinegar, filling the jar to the top and capping with a plastic lid or a piece of plastic wrap held in place with a rubber band. This vinegar, like most that I make, is ready to use in six weeks. Pine vinegar is rich in flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals. It helps keep the immune system strong, and strengthens the lungs as well. I love it on salads.

\"herb Garden\"

Your home, like mine in the Catskills, offers rose hips and sumac berries for vitamin-C rich teas; spice bush leaves and berries to suggest the flavors of bay and allspice; and the roots of sweet clover to use as a vanilla substitute.

Grab a local field guide and go looking for all the plants that are native to your area. For example, if you live in the northern states like Minnesota, a great book is "How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine, and Crafts", written in 1926 by Frances Densmore who collected information from the Minnesota Chippewa. There are many similar guides available.

Why use native plants? They are often hardy survivors and naturally adapted to the area, sometimes requiring less watering and care. Whether in the wilds or in your garden, Nature is ever-ready to provide you with all you need with little or no input from you. An abundance of edible and medicinal plants covers every inch of my garden - and I didn't plant any of them. With only a little help from me (I spread compost several inches deep on my gardens spring and fall, and keep them fenced against my goats and the marauding deer), my gardens grow: garlic mustard, chickweed, violets, dandelion, curly dock, nettles, burdock, wild madder, crone(mug)wort, wild chives, poke, catnip, malva, wild mint, bergamot, cleavers, motherwort, chicory, raspberry, goldenrod, creeping jenny, barbara's cress, evening primrose, milk weed.

The next best thing to letting Nature plant your herb garden for you is to put in perennials and let Nature take care of them. You will find the best plants for your area at a plant swap at a local church or school. Nurseries, especially the mail order ones, offer lots of different kinds of plants, but only a few of them will be both productive and carefree.

The most dependable perennial herbs are Echinacea, comfrey, elecampane, wormwood, and thyme, on the hardiest members of the aromatic mint family.

Cuttings of various mints are easy to come by and easier yet to establish. Chocolate mint and red bergamot are two of my favorites, but don't be choosy - accept any and all mint cuttings you are given. Perennial aromatic mints - including lemon balm, lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, pennyroyal, and catnip, as well as spearmint and peppermint - form the "backbone" of most herb gardens. Just grow them in full sun in poor soil and don't overwater.

Anyone who has a comfrey plant will be glad to give you a "start" (a piece of the root). And, once put in, comfrey is a friend for life. Ditto rhubarb, whose root is a formidable herbal medicine.

Magazines offer gardening knowledge in small doses, and at appropriate times, instead of all at once, and this is usually more helpful than a book that tries to cover all seasons and all reasons. These are my current (spring 2002) favorites:

The American Gardener, a publication of the American Horticultural Society. Perhaps it is a bit more formal than I am, but it nonetheless has a down-home charm. Check out http://www.ahs.org or call 1-800-777-7931. When you join, you get the magazine plus the right to join in their annual seed give-away.

The Garden Gate is very practical and covers a wide range of topics in excellent detail: from plants to planters, to planting your feet so your back stays strong. Every page counts, as there is no advertising. You can subscribe at http://www.gardengatemagazine.com or call 1-800-341-4769.

The Gardener is another non-advertising production. It is unique in not using photographs. It is illustrated throughout in a variety of stunning styles. They offered me a credit worth for plants or seeds with my subscription. Call them at 1-877-257-5268.

Herbals that include cultural instructions are good additions to your library.

Opening Your Wild Heart to the Healing Herbs by Gail /Faith Edwards is one of my favorites. I love Gail's voice. When I read the book I feel like a wise teacher is sitting next to me telling me how to use and how to grow herbs and trees, medicines and teas.

Steven Foster's Herbal Bounty is a classic on "The Gentle Art of Herb Culture." Unfortunately, it is now out of print, but you may be able to find one used. (c1984, Peregrine Smith Books). He gives detailed information on the culture, and medicinal uses, of over 100 popular herbs.

Park's Success with Herbs is also out of print but a book that I use constantly. Gertrude Foster and Rosemary Louden fill just under 200 pages with an incredible amount of information on growing and using (lots of recipes) an amazing variety of herbs.

Wild Women's Garden is one of a series of books that tell you how to grow and use herbs. This one focuses on herbs for women. Another, Serenity Garden focuses on herbs that are relaxing. A third, En Garden, is more general. Each book contains a postcard that you send in for free seeds so you can grow the plants in the book. Great info and great fun. The cost of the seeds alone is worth more than the price of the book. Jillian VanNostrand and Christie Sarles are the authors; published by Radical Weeds.

When you try too hard, it doesn't work. We learn to work with the slow interplay of Yin and Yang. We learn to be in harmony with nature's laws. Forcing things to fit or going against the grain is an unskillful way. We learn to be flexible like water. We use our intuition. We hold, energetically, a magical spot of ground and watch what grows. In Taoism they call it "Wu Wei". We walk in the "effortless", we dance with the fairies, moving in joyful flow with the undulating, magical greenery blowing in the breeze.

Wow! You have a garden! With patience, good weather, and the grace of the Goddess, you and Nature will create a thing of beauty.

Legal Disclaimer: This content is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare practitioner with a specific formula for you. All material contained herein is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second opinion.

Letting Nature Grow Your Garden

Susun Weed
PO Box 64
Woodstock, NY 12498
Fax: 1-845-246-8081

Learn how to prevent illness and heal yourself safely and easily the Wise Woman Way. Women's health forum, FREE womens forum, weblog, and email group. Topics include menopause, breast health, childbearing, fertility, disease prevention, nutritional advice, and cancer prevention. Visit the Wise Woman Web

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Making a Potted Herb Garden

Making a potted herb garden can be a much more convenient and easier way to grow herbs than having a garden in your yard. Your plants can grow year round, as they are portable and can be moved into a heated building when the weather turns cold. The soil can be monitored and controlled easily and a simple flip of a light switch is a better solution than hoping the sun comes out.

Sometimes growing herbs in pots can be difficult because pots do not offer the same moisture control and necessary nutrients as outdoor soil does. Many herbs do fine in pots with some extra attention from the grower. These hearty herbs include basil, dill, mint, sage, and lavender.

Herb

Take great care that the seeds you are getting are of good quality. They can spoil just like any other type of food. The air we breathe can do damage to them if they aren't properly cared for. It is really a simple process, but take great care to keep them fresh and discard of any exposed or damaged seeds.

When making a potted herb garden you do not have to keep them indoors. It is possible to grow your herbs inside or outside. Either way you choose, you need to know the amount of sun that each plant should have. There are herbs that like full sun, while others grow well when placed in partially shaded areas.

Make proper preparations to the soil and make sure the amount of moisture is sufficient. Lavender enjoys the sun and needs an alkaline soil that is dry. Clay chips will maintain the moisture in a pot, but this can also lead to too much moisture. When in a container, the clay will absorb the moisture and hold it for extended periods of time. You should make sure that your soil contains a mixture of sand and clay.

Root rot is the most common problem for plants in containers. This is the result of excessive moisture. While it's fine for most plants to be continually wet, most herbs prefer drier soil. When we say moist, that doesn't necessarily mean always wet. Try this: Push your thumb on the surface of the soil. Is it a little springy? That means it's moist. Is it hard? That means it's dry. Next, take a toothpick (or even better, a moisture gauge). Stick it in the soil to see its moisture content. While the toothpick is good in a pinch, the gauge will provide a more accurate and useful reading.

There are many great reasons for making a potted herb garden. On thing you can use your herb garden in pots for is keeping culinary herbs on hand all year long. Keep the pots outside near the kitchen door in summer and bring them in and sit them on the windowsill in winter.

Making a Potted Herb Garden

You can learn more about all types of herbs as well as learn about making a potted herb garden at http://basicherbgardeningtips.com where you will get basic tips for growing herbs both indoors and out.

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How to Identify Your Herb Garden Plants

There are a few methods that you can utilize in identifying herb garden plants. As some species are not being labeled properly in stores upon buying them, having the required skills to identify them by yourself will allow you to give the best care to your plants. If you have inherited plants, then having those identifying skills will be of great help to you as well.

There are some key aspects involved with identifying your plants. First, you need to have a good eye for detail. The variations between one type of herb plant from another may be identified through the total number of leaves of the plant, the number of veins within each leaf or the slight differences in color. Don't be afraid to take your time in identifying your plants. Doing a thorough examination will be able to help you in making a correct identification. While two different species of plants may just have small physical differences, the way to take care of them may still vary.

Herb

Once you're finished with the detail, what you're going to need next is the access to information. When it comes to identifying herb plants, having information through reference or pictures to compare with is vital in order to ensure that you've made a correct identification. Knowledge plays a key role when you're uncertain of the breed of the plant you're having.

It's important to remember that even with all of the data you've gathered, identifying these plants isn't an accurate science. Your plant's health can deceive you, making you believe that the plant you have is actually something else. An unhealthy specimen may not have all of its leaves, making it hard for you to identify what species of plant you're having. It is always best to identify your plant after you have restored it to full health.

An additional benefit to identifying your plants is the ability to know what's not an herb plant. It's not unusual for blooming yet lethal plants to be taken into a household. If you find out that you have one in your garden, then destroy or donate that plant in order to prevent it from causing harm to your family. Poisonous plants shouldn't be burned, as the fumes can be lethal as well.

By positively identifying your herb garden plants, you will be able to have the necessary skills in making sure that they are well-taken care of, protecting you and your family from the dangers of toxic plants, and knowing when you have bought an exotic or uncommon herb plant. This skill is also helpful when you're planning to breed plants, as it gives you the ability to determine when a plant is ready to be bred or not, and having compatible plants to breed it with.

How to Identify Your Herb Garden Plants

Mike Araujo is an herb expert. For more information about herb garden plants, visit http://www.startingherbgarden.com.

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Planting Your Culinary Herb Garden Perfectly

Culinary herb gardens can generally be placed in a small area that is either right outside your kitchen door, or in small planters that are located inside your home. Enjoying the planting of culinary herb gardens offer individuals the convenience of being able to grow fresh herbs, not only for the beauty they offer, but also to use them for the cooking of many delicious meals. There are some people who like to grow herbs simply for the appealing beauty that some of the plants offer, such as thyme.

Aside from being easy to grow a culinary herb garden, many people enjoy the hobby of growing a culinary herb garden because they require very little care and maintenance. Many of the herbs grow quite fast so that you can enjoy the beauty that they offer in a short amount of time.

Herb

The small amount of maintenance that is required for your culinary herb garden can be a big advantage for those individuals that do not have a lot of extra time to devote to the care and maintenance of having a garden.

Many people are delighted to learn that it is very simple to be able to create a culinary herb garden of your own to enjoy. One way to prepare a place for your garden to grow would be to use half of a barrel. You will need to fill the barrel with good soil for the herbs to grown in and drill a few holes in each side of the barrel where you can plant some parsley.

Before you know it, the parsley will cover the barrel, making it a splendid sight. Then pick from chives, sage, thyme, or many other herbs to plant in the top of the barrel.

Planting Your Culinary Herb Garden Perfectly

To learn more culinary herb gardens tips [http://www.herbgardendesign.net/culinary-herb-gardens.html] check out HerbGardenDesign.net. They have many articles about all sorts of herb gardening.

One great option if you're looking for an easy way to grow a fantastic herb garden is picking up herb gardening kits [http://www.herbgardendesign.net/herb-garden-kits.html]. They have everything you need to get your herb garden started. It's easy to get growing today. Click that link for some great information and tips about herb gardening kits.

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Herb Garden Plans - Guide For Beginners

There are some different herb garden plans. Some of them are very common to homeowners and gardeners. Each plan has its certain advantages to your favorite herbs. You will notice that some of those plans can be more suitable than the others. This depends on the space and the time you consider to commit in your herb garden.

You can plan your herb garden using containers. This growing method of herbs is the most popular in terms of herb gardening. However, you must keep in mind that in choosing a pot or container for your herbs, choose the pot that is big enough to accommodate your chosen herbs. You should choose a pot that allows a big space for every herb that you want to grow in it. Do not plant your seedlings too crowded in the pot and choose the type of herbs that can grow in similar soil environment and sun condition for your single pot.

Herb

Then, of course, it is better if you can plant your herbs in individual pots. If you have money to buy pots, buy pots for every type of herbs you plan to grow. In this way, you can be sure that your herbs will grow equally and healthier in their preferred soil condition. Some herbs that can grow large like the rosemary can also be kept in their manageable size. Using pots that are not bigger than three gallons, you can keep your large herbs at bay.

You can also design or accentuate your porch, or patio, or kitchen using the different groups of herbs planted in your pots. If you plan to plant herbs for the purpose of drying them and saving them for later use, planting them outdoors is such a great idea. You can have your favorite dried herb in winter time. It is relatively simple and easy to design and construct your basic herb garden if you already have some experience in gardening. Water, sun, and soil are the three main preferences in obtaining a healthy and beautiful garden of herbs.

Remember to estimate and anticipate the height and the branch spread of your herbs if you are going to plant them in a bed. In this way, you can be sure that your plant will grow properly. Planting herb for decoration purposes require some advanced garden planning. If you are a beginner, using graph papers and drawing scaled sketches of your thought herb bed is very helpful. You can also look at some old magazines or photographs of garden herbs so you can make a pattern out of it. Furthermore, you can also search in libraries as well as online for ideas and plans in herb gardening.

Herb garden plans are easy to follow and make. Just try to understand them and let your creativity do the sketching. You can also look at your neighbors' garden plans and then study their gardens and think of the best garden plan for your herb. Your garden, patio, or kitchen will not only look great, but also your meals can have your favorite herbs without spending your time going at your local market to buy your needed herbs for flavoring your cooked food.

Herb Garden Plans - Guide For Beginners

Tim is an experienced herb gardener and loves to grow herbs. To learn more about herb garden plans as well as other great herb gardening, planting, growing and using techniques check out his dedicated herb growing and care website http://www.herbgardeningplace.com

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How to Succeed With an Indoor Herb Garden

If you like cooking with herbs and have a wish for an herb garden, but don't have the yard space, consider an indoor herb garden. The most common type of indoor herb gardens are those in which you have a long windowsill and space to place pots on it. But don't despair; there are other ways to grow herbs indoors.

The first thing to consider before starting your indoor garden is that it should have ample light and be unreachable by children and pets. The next thing you need to decide is how large your herb garden can be in the location you have selected. The herbs you plant will all grow to different proportions, some much larger than others, so be sure to plan appropriately.

Herb

Select herbs for your herb garden that will grow well together. Some types of herbs will actually take over other less resilient herbs and the result is a hybrid of both. A well known example of this is the oregano plant being planted too close to a peppermint plant. The result is a new plant that will smell like both oregano and peppermint.

Decide what herbs you are interested in planting and how they will be used. You might consider herbs for cooking and herbs for potpourri. There are many different types of herbs and due to those that do not grow well together, you must first complete your research on their growing conditions and their suitability for your indoor herb garden.

Some herbs are harder to grow than others while an herb like chives is hardier and likely to grow in more areas. Make sure the types you select will grow well in room temperature. An indoor herb container garden will add some color to your rooms if grown in the correct light and temperature.

With an indoor garden, you can have fresh herbs throughout the coldest part of the year. Just be sure to move the herbs as needed to ensure they always receive the right light for optimal growing conditions. Your indoor herb garden will also provide some of the necessary vitamins and minerals necessary for good health, such as cayenne.

For hundreds of years, herbs have been grown for medicinal purposes. For example, Echinacea has proven to be an herb that can shorten the length of a cold. This can be grown in your indoor herb garden along with other herbs that can treat depression during the cold winter months.

Purchase your herbs from a well established nursery that can provide you with information on indoor growing conditions. With the help of an expert, you should be able to follow their instructions to maintain a healthy indoor garden throughout the year. Along with the information provided about each herb that will describe the benefits in detail, anyone should be able to produce a wonderful indoor herb garden addition to the most suitable room in their house.

How to Succeed With an Indoor Herb Garden

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Herb Garden Pests and Safe Pest Control

One of the most rapidly growing hobbies right now is herb gardening. It seems like gardens are popping up everywhere with people trying to eat healthier, more organically, and without straining the environment. Growing your own herbs is also a great way to save on groceries with food prices increasing all the time. Since there are so many people that are now getting into gardening it is important for them to get information about how to care for their new gardens. The biggest concern that a person will probably have with a garden is herb garden pests and safe pest control. There are many different types of herb garden pests so it is important to do some research and find out how you can safely protect the herbs that you worked so hard to grow.

There are basically 2 different types of herb garden pests and safe pest control measures can be taken to prevent both types. The first type of garden pests are insects. If left alone insects can destroy an herb garden pretty quickly so it is important to take necessary precautions to avoid insect infestation. You will want to get rid of places where bugs can live, such as leaves, debris, tools, etc. You should move all of the waste material to your compost bin to eliminate these living spaces. During the colder months, when nothing is growing, you will probably want to spray insecticide. Make sure to read the directions on the packaging, as you may do serious damage to the soil if you apply the spray incorrectly. One thing that you need to realize as a gardener is that there are both good and bad insects. If you have a question about which bugs are good and which are bad, you can catch one in a jar and take it to a local garden supply store, as they will be able to tell you what the insect is.

Herb

The other type of herb garden pests and safe pest control against them are varmints and birds. Poisoning these animals can be effective but you will need to be extremely careful, especially if you have pets that go out into the garden area.

Learning more about herb garden pests and safe pest control is not difficult. There are actually a variety of different websites that have tips and suggestions on how to protect your garden from the different pests that are out there. Search the Internet for these sites and take some time to read the suggestions that are available.

Herb Garden Pests and Safe Pest Control

For more information on growing and maintaining a home herb garden, including pest control supplies, please visit: http://thehomeherbgarden.com

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Zodiac Home Herb Garden

Cultivating a zodiac home herb garden has been practiced amongst many civilizations for centuries. In fact, once upon a time every doctor too was an astrologer because having knowledge of astrology and the zodiac was absolutely essential in being able to diagnose and treat many types of illnesses. There are specific illnesses most commonly associated with a particular zodiac sign. Having this knowledge enabled the doctor to assign a particular herb or herbs to the patient.

A zodiac garden is tailored to an individuals astrological sign. Our ancestors studies the universe, the stars, the planets and nature thus structuring their lives around the amazing sciences stored in the universe. Specific to this topic, these findings provided a clear direction for knowing which types of herbs to plant and when to plant them.

Herb

Many individuals of today are carrying on this practice and personalizing their gardens to their specific astrological signs. The following is an outline of the twelve astrological signs, the body parts that is ruled by the sign, and the herbs associated with the corresponding sign:

Aries

Body: Head

Herbs: carnation, chervil, basil, nettle, catmint, wormwood, geranium, cypress pine.

Taurus

Body: Neck & Throat

Herbs: primrose, mint, thyme, violet, marshmallow, catnip, rose, carnation, saffron, honeysuckle, jasmine, tansy, wormwood, yarrow, soapwort.

Gemini

Body: Hands, Arms, Shoulders And Lungs

Herbs: mint, parsley, anise, Dill, lavender, marjoram, licorice, fennel, honeysuckle, horehound, oregano.

Cancer

Body: Breast And Stomach

Herbs: parsley, sage, aloe, evening primrose, myrtle, cinnamon, lemon balm, hyacinth, bay leaves, water lily.

Libra

Body: Buttocks, Lower Back And Kidneys

Herbs: Catnip, thyme, elderberry, iris, lilies, ivy, St John's wart, lemon balm, bergamot.

Leo

Body: Back, Spine & Heart

Herbs: dill, lemon balm, tarragon, rue, chamomile, clove, sandalwood, frankincense, camphor, eyebright, sunflower.

Scorpio

Body: The Genitals

Herbs: catmint, basil, sage, catnip, honeysuckle, nettle, onion, coriander, garlic, wormwood, elder.

Sagittarius

Body: Liver, Thighs & Hips.

Herbs: chervil, saffron, sage, basil, sage, borage, nutmeg, clove.

Capricorn

Body: Knees, Bones & Joints

Herbs: dill, tarragon, caraway, rosemary, chamomile, lambs ears, rosemary, marjoram.

Aquarius

Body: Ankles, Circulatory System & Shins

Herbs: daffodil, sage, comfrey, rosemary, valerian, fennel, mint.

Pisces

Body: Feet

Herbs: sage, lemon balm, basil, lilac, nutmeg, borage, lilies, clove.

Virgo

Body: Intestines & Nervous System

Herbs: chervil, dill, caraway, mint, morning glory, lily, horehound, lavender, marjoram.

Each sign of the zodiac is associated with one of the following four elements; these elements are water, air, fire and earth. As the moon is traveling through a particular sign of the zodiac it is in one of the four aforementioned elements. For instance, if the moon is in an air sign like Libra it is a good time to plant herbs and root crops. The following is an outline of each element, its corresponding zodiac sign and the ideal time to cultivate and/or harvest your herbs:

Element- Earth: Zodiac Sign: Capricorn, Virgo and Taurus. These signs are fertile signs and therefore a good time for growing herbs.

Element- Water: Zodiac Sign: Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces. It is a good Idea to plant annuals in these signs.

Element- Fire: Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius, Leo & Aries. It is best to harvest during these signs.

Element- Air: Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Libra & Aquarius. Harvesting or cultivating is ideal when the moon is in an air sign.

Happy Zodiac Gardening!

Zodiac Home Herb Garden

Janet Suzalski is an herb garden enthusiast and enjoys spending her time writing & teaching others about herb gardening. For more great information and tips on cultivating a home herb garden visit her site at http://www.herb-gardening-info.com and while you are there feel free to sign up to her FREE Mini-Course on Herb Gardening Secrets.

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