How to Grow Herbs in Your Garden - Basil, Dill and Lavender
Whether you are a beginner or an accomplished gardener, creating an herb garden is one of the easiest ways to enhance your love of nature. Having an herb garden is not only a beautiful and aromatic addition to any home garden; it is also a helpful and practical idea as well. For centuries, these delectable treats of nature have been fundamental in creating natural, holistic remedies for minor to severe ailments. In addition to their medicinal value, herbs have also been instrumental in creating some of the world's most flavorful cuisine. While these plants are known for being hardy, it is important to note each specific plant requires its own special recipe of care.
Basil - This herb is one of the most commonly grown and is highly regarded by herb garden enthusiasts all over the world. The Basil herb grows well in climates of low humidity and fertile soil. Spring is the perfect season to start growing the Basil plant, but only after all threats of frost have been alleviated as this plant is highly sensitive to cold temperatures and may become damaged if exposed.
When planting Basil, it is important to remember to place each plant about twelve inches apart. This way, it will let each plant gain access to adequate water, enabling it to grow into a healthy plant. It takes approximately six weeks for the Basil to sprout leaves that are suitable for collection and use. When the harvesting is done, a proper drying method will result in a flavorful dried herb that can be used in a wide variety of recipes to tantalize your taste buds. This robust herb would have grown to approximately one or two feet tall and sprouted deep green or even purplish leaves with small white flowers during warm summer months.
Dill - Nothing could be simpler than growing the tasty herb Dill. A handful of seeds tossed into your garden will produce stalks that reach anywhere from two to four feet in height. This particular herb is an excellent addition to many recipes and adds a beautiful display to your garden. Dills stalks will have special blue-green leaves that are feathery looking and have a bunch of striking yellow flowers.
The Dill plant is a sun loving plant, so areas with full access to sunlight will ensure a thriving plant. A distance of eight to ten inches between plants is the best way to ensure a hardy crop. After sowing the seeds, you should go back in approximately 2 weeks when the herbs reach the height of 1 inch, and thin out the area around each herb. This process will ensure that each plant receives its required amount of nutrients from the soil as well as ensuring each plant is exposed to sufficient sunlight.
The Dill plant is useful in many ways. The beautiful bright yellow flowers make an excellent tool for decorating while the seeds and leaves are the perfect addition to dips and salads. When the flowers are in full bloom, you can collect them for adding fresh flowers to your home or dry them to make a lavish dried flower arrangement. After the yellow blooms have blossomed for approximately two weeks, you can then harvest the Dill seeds. A good way is to trim the flowers and dry them upside down, while suspended over a plate or a piece of paper. This process will allow the seeds to fall and be collected for use. Finally, crumbling the dried leaves is another way to add the distinct taste of Dill to any cherished recipe.
Lavender - One of the most beautiful and fragrant herbs is Lavender. This aromatic plant makes for a wonderful ground cover for any herb or flower garden as it produces delicate pink and purple flowers nestled on very tall stalks. Lavender is a perennial plant and is at its peak in the mid-summer months. Lavender is frequently a major ingredient in aromatherapy, soap making and potpourri mixes.
This hardy herb is easy to grow, however if choosing to start from seed form, may require a little extra work and TLC. A good way to cultivate this herb is to get fresh plants or root cuttings from a nursery near you. Such plants grow well in sunny areas with alkaline rich soil that is not water logged. As the winter months approach, the beauty of these plants will fade, however, during the next spring and summer seasons these plants will return more hardy and lush then the last.
Each of these herbs are a delectable treat offered by nature. With simple care and many uses for their beauty and taste, adding these herbs to any garden is sure to be an aromatic and pleasurable experience.
About the Author
Moses Wright loves to work in his garden. He started this site to help fellow garden enthusiast with gardening tips whenever possible. You can find more free resources on landscaping and gardening on his site: http://www.homelyfamily.com/
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