People have been growing herbs organically for centuries. It is only recently with the advent of chemical pesticides and herbicides that we’ve lost this knowledge and have chosen the convenience of chemicals. Traditionally, herbs were harvested in the wild from their native habitats and then later they were domesticated to be grown in gardens.
So really , the secret to successful organic herb gardening, or organic gardening of any kind, is to understand how nature works and how these plants grow in their natural setting. If we try to approximate the environment in which plants grow in the wild, we tend will have a healthier and more natural garden.
So really , the secret to successful organic herb gardening, or organic gardening of any kind, is to understand how nature works and how these plants grow in their natural setting. If we try to approximate the environment in which plants grow in the wild, we tend will have a healthier and more natural garden.
The secret to successful gardening is rich, fertile soil. If you aren't already composting, start now! Use a compost bin to turn your yard waste and kitchen scraps into compost, the "black gold" of gardening. The most frequent problem we see with herbs and other garden plants is with the soil. The fix-all for most soil problems is to add organic material to the soil. Composting and mulching is a great way to recycle organic waste material from you home and use it as hummus in your garden.
Other common problems that affect plant health are root damage, a build-up of fertilizers, over-pruning, and too much or too little water. A good way to prevent over or under watering is with a Soil Moisture Tester. Giving your plant too much or too little light can also affect their health. One more important thing to look at is what other plants can be found in your garden and their compatibility with the herbs you wish to grow.
Plants in the wild often grow close together because they share a mutually beneficial relationship. You can duplicate these relationships at home. Many herbs will actually benefit the health of your garden, attracting beneficial insects of repelling pests with their strong scent. However, some plants won’t get along together in your garden and are not recommended to plant together. This concept is known as companion planting.
Herbs are all about leaves. It's the leaves we eat in most cases, not the flowers. So avoid using a fertilizer made to encourage flowers. And keep up with the harvesting to keep plants bushy and discourage them from blooming; often, blooming will change the flavor of the leaves. Harvest the oldest stems individually with scissors rather than mowing the whole plant to keep a steady stream of leaves coming.
Other common problems that affect plant health are root damage, a build-up of fertilizers, over-pruning, and too much or too little water. A good way to prevent over or under watering is with a Soil Moisture Tester. Giving your plant too much or too little light can also affect their health. One more important thing to look at is what other plants can be found in your garden and their compatibility with the herbs you wish to grow.
Plants in the wild often grow close together because they share a mutually beneficial relationship. You can duplicate these relationships at home. Many herbs will actually benefit the health of your garden, attracting beneficial insects of repelling pests with their strong scent. However, some plants won’t get along together in your garden and are not recommended to plant together. This concept is known as companion planting.
Herbs are all about leaves. It's the leaves we eat in most cases, not the flowers. So avoid using a fertilizer made to encourage flowers. And keep up with the harvesting to keep plants bushy and discourage them from blooming; often, blooming will change the flavor of the leaves. Harvest the oldest stems individually with scissors rather than mowing the whole plant to keep a steady stream of leaves coming.