Planting an Herb Garden

Herb gardens are sources of delightful and healthy produce and an attractive part ofthe outdoor landscape. Herbs can be planted in garden beds and or in containers and can also serve as attractive borders for hedges and flower gardens.

Most herbs like sunlight, but some, such as chervil, parsley, coriander, and vigorous herbs such as comfrey and lemon balm, do well in the sun or shade. So first off determine how much sunlight the various planting areas in your backyard get each day. Take a whole day and check on an hourly basis sunlight exposure of areas in your yard that are suitable for planting. Sun loving herbs require six to eight hours of sunlight each day; but you can also move herbs growing in containers from one sunny are to another as the light exposure changes throughout the day. Keep in mind that herb gardens close to the kitchen door are most convenient. They're easy to access and the savory scents of the herbs will wisp through the window, adding a pleasant fragrance to your cooking area.

Herbs grow best in a light soil that drains well and is easy to till. Seeds can be planted in furrows that are several inches deep, but fully grown herbs will need a minimum of eight inches of top soil to grow in. You can test drainage by running a hose for a few minutes and looking for puddles. You can change the constitution of the soil by adding clay, peat moss and fertilizer. Herbs like a moderate amount of fertilizer. Too much fertilization may weaken some herbs and cause plant disease.  Ideal soil Ph for herbs is around 6.5.

You can plant herbs indoors, directly outdoors, or purchase them from a nursery. Each option has its advantage and disadvantages depending on the type of herb.  Seeds of annual herbs (basil, coriander, dill and oregano) can be started indoors and grown year round or you can move them outdoor 5-10 weeks after planting. Perennial herbs, like chives, parsley, sage, sweet marjoram and thyme, can be started from seed but are often most conveniently purchased as young plants from a nursery. Because perennials grow for more than one season, it’s best to keep them outside in pots during the summer and bring them in before the first frost. A few herbs including rosemary, oregano, and mint are best propagated by cuttings or transplantation.

Herbs are delicate and require special care for winter survival. Ensure that your perennial herbs survive the cold weather by making certain they go into the winter healthy. Avoid late fall fertilizing or pruning. As soon as the ground freezes, spread a loose four inch mulch such as straw, boughs of an evergreen tree, oak leaves, etc. around the base of each plant. A few herbs, including oregano, lemon verbena, and rosemary, can't survive in the cold temperatures. Dig up plants such as these, replant them in containers, and take them indoors for the winter. Then replant them outdoors when the weather turns warm again in the spring.

For help with landscaping and landscape design in the Yortktown Heights and Westchester County and Putnam County, NY., call the Turf Barbers at 914 302 2469; 2929 Quinlan Street Yorktown Heights, NY 10598; http://www.theturfbarbers.com