Herb History--Growing Fresh Herbs

The history of herbal medicine dates as far back as the history of mankind. This is especially true during earlier times when people had no access to modern medicines and relied mainly on what nature could offer. The use of herbal remedies can be referred to as “medicinal botany” as it basically utilizes the different parts and ingredients present in the plant to provide cures for common illnesses.

Herbal Medicine and its History

The use of herbs for medicinal purposes has been the oldest form of health care known to man. Recent studies have shown the therapeutic and medicinal value present in most herbs. They naturally produce chemical substances that respond to viruses or bacteria that cause disease.

Herbs are used in several cultures throughout the world. As the world evolved into modern civilization, herbal medicine went along with it. And despite of the intense modernization, it remains to be an integral part of this society.  As history progressed and more modern technologies innovated, the use of herbal medicine progressed as well.

In-Depth Look at Herbal Medicine

Several parts within a plant or herb are utilized for life-saving, curing, preventive, or relieve from illnesses. Some of the parts of the plant that are extracted with healing properties include:


1.  stems
2.  leaves
3.  flowers
4.  fruits
5.  root
6.  bark

The list encompasses almost every part of the plant. For remedies at home, the parts of the plant are applied directly to the infected areas, or drank as a solution or juice to provide the desired relief. One of the many reasons why people are turning to herbal medicine is the lack of harmful side effects, knowing that only natural ingredients are used.

Herbal Medicine Today

As the world modernized, so did herbal medicine. Laboratories produce synthetic medicines but there may be underlying side effects to the body. This is because they contain rich concentrations of chemical substances.

Chemists have analyzed the components of herbs, then isolated and extracted those that have healing properties. Then, these properties are synthesized in modern laboratories so they can be incorporated into the manufacture of medicines. You can now find several herbal preparations that are prepared into easy to administer pills, tablets, or capsules but still have the same benefits derived from natural herbs.

Common Herbal Remedies

As we discussed above, with the growth of herbal medicines and the use of herbal components for pharmaceutical preparations, they are now made available in various forms to make them more convenient.

Since most herbs leave an unpleasant taste, administering them or drinking juices from these herbal solutions just aren't pleasing to the taste buds. Therefore, they now come in forms similar to manufactured medicines but still have the natural content of medicinal herbs.

• Capsules and tablets –contain powdered form of the medicinal herb and make it easy to intake or administer

• Teas – just like in capsules and tablets, the herbal formulation is placed in bags (as opposed to capsules) to be dipped in hot water for sipping or drinking

• Ointments and rubs – today, you can find several herbal-based ointments that provide relief or reparation from wounds, broken skin, rashes, sunburn, irritation, etc.

Commercialization of Herbal Medicines

With the influx of commercially prepared herbal-based products, many fear that they no longer have the same level of efficacy as compared to herbal preparations prepared at home. However, you can be assured that further research has identified active properties present in most plants. These can be used to produce medicines.

You can still opt for the traditional recipes and preparation for medicinal herbs to treat illnesses. You must consult with your physician with regards to the proper dosage and ingredients present in your chosen herb. But if you want to get medicinal relief from herbal properties, you can get them in various forms at a nearby drug store. All this does is to expand the healing capacity of medicinal herbs and make them accessible to more people.


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Creative Container Gardening

Container gardens can create a natural sanctuary in a busy city street, along rooftops or on balconies. You can easily accentuate the welcoming look of a deck or patio with colorful pots of annuals, or fill your window boxes with beautiful shrub roses or any number of small perennials. Whether you arrange your pots in a group for a massed effect or highlight a smaller space with a single specimen, you'll be delighted with this simple way to create a garden.

Container gardening enables you to easily vary your color scheme, and as each plant finishes flowering, it can be replaced with another. Whether you choose to harmonize or contrast your colors, make sure there is variety in the height of each plant. Think also of the shape and texture of the leaves. Tall strap-like leaves will give a good vertical background to low-growing, wide-leaved plants. Choose plants with a long flowering season, or have others of a different type ready to replace them as they finish blooming.

Experiment with creative containers. You might have an old porcelain bowl or copper urn you can use, or perhaps you'd rather make something really modern with timber or tiles.  If you decide to buy your containers ready-made, terracotta pots look wonderful, but tend to absorb water. You don't want your plants to dry out, so paint the interior of these pots with a special sealer available from hardware stores.

Cheaper plastic pots can also be painted on the outside with water-based paints for good effect.  When purchasing pots, don't forget to buy matching saucers to catch the drips. This will save cement floors getting stained, or timber floors rotting.

Always use a good quality potting mix in your containers. This will ensure the best performance possible from your plants.

If you have steps leading up to your front door, an attractive pot plant on each one will delight your visitors. Indoors, pots of plants or flowers help to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
Decide ahead of time where you want your pots to be positioned, then buy plants that suit the situation. There is no point buying sun lovers for a shady position, for they will not do well. Some plants also have really large roots, so they are best kept for the open garden.

If you have plenty of space at your front door, a group of potted plants off to one side will be more visually appealing than two similar plants placed each side. Unless they are spectacular, they will look rather boring.

Group the pots in odd numbers rather than even, and vary the height and type. To tie the group together, add large rocks that are similar in appearance and just slightly different in size. Three or five pots of the same type and color, but in different sizes also looks affective.

With a creative mind and some determination, you will soon have a container garden that will be the envy of friends and strangers alike.

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About Container Gardening--Growing Fresh Herbs

What should you know about container gardening? While we can talk about its history, people are more interested in its advantages compared to planting flowers or other plants in the soil. To give you an idea, here are some of the pros.

First, using containers for gardening allows you to plant stuff even if you are living in an apartment or a mobile home. This means limited space is not a hindrance if you want to grow flowers, fruit, herbs, shrubs and even vegetables.

Container gardening offers you mobility since a container placed in section of your can be moved to a new spot in a matter of seconds. If the plants have already grown making it difficult to carry, you can buy a garden dolly to help transport it around.

Pests are the greatest threat against plants. If you were able to catch it before this spreads to the other plants, you can isolate that plant from the others and then deal with the problem. Aside from using a herbicide or getting the help of other insects, you can also rearrange the plants since some of these happen to repel pests.

Container gardening can also help decorate the interior of the house. There are many plants to choose from and you can surely complement this with the overall color of the room.

An example will be to use a collection of yellow and blue bloomers, such as Calendula, heliotrope and pansies which are sure to cheer your day. If you want to some plants in your balcony or patio, you can use either Sedum or Sempervivum.

People who have never tried container gardening before should start with a handful of plants before buying more. This will give you time to figure out which ones are nice and which ones are not.

There are three types of flowers namely annual, biannual and perennial. Gardeners who plant these in containers usually go for either annuals or perennials.

The nice thing about annuals is that it grows from a seed in one growing season while perennials will last for a few years before these are replaced. The most popular annuals are marigolds and petunias because these add color to any room.

If you decide to plant perennials, you should know that these need more care and attention compared to annuals. So just take your pick and then see what happens.

But container gardening is not focused just on what plants you should be buying. You should also pay attention to the containers that will be used. The rule of thumb when choosing a container is that this should complement the plant both aesthetically and functionally.

For those who want to grow strawberries, ideally you should be using a Terra-cotta planter that has special holes through which you can cultivate your fruit or herbs. There are many examples that we can discuss but you get the point. Do research about the plant first then select the container.

The containers we keep talking about come in different shapes, sizes, color and material. The ones most commonly used are plastic and Terra-cotta.  Going back to those who live in apartments, a good choice to use are window boxes also made of plastic or wood.

Aside from those you put on a shelf or on the floor, there are also containers you can use through which you can hang a plant. These are made of wire or wood. Just be sure not to put these over a table or any other furniture because water will drip down and damage it.

One of the biggest problems of container gardening is keeping the soil inside the container since it could get washed every time you pour water. Fortunately, you can deal with that by putting a handful of rocks, pebbles, charcoal or Styrofoam in the bottom as this allows water to drain through the soil keeping the soil inside the container.

Container gardening is very easy. Once you have successfully grown a handful of them, you can already expand your collection since you already have an idea what works and what you think should be added. Don’t be afraid to try planting something new one in awhile so you can expand your gardening experience.


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About Herb Gardening--Growing Fresh Herbs

Herb gardening has been practiced for years. In fact, Chinese history has revealed that this was used as early as 2700 B.C. Aside from using it for medicinal purposes, people have also used this to add flavor to what they concoct in the kitchen.

The interesting thing about herb gardening is that it is not that different from planting flowers or vegetables in your garden because you still need to prepare the soil and then plant it into the ground so this will grow.

Since there are no so many herbs around, you have to decide first which herbs you want to plant. For beginners, you can start with basil, dill, oregano, rosemary and sage since these are all easy to grow in containers, require little maintenance and are adaptable for a wide variety of dishes.

Herbs can be planted on the soil or in containers. For those who will be planting these on the soil, make sure you plot the area first before putting these in. While drawing it on a piece of paper is good, why don’t you place pegs, rocks, or other markers to outline the shape of the garden plot? This will give you an idea how it looks like when the herbs finally grow.

It will also be a good idea to mix some flowers to add color so it will look good even when you see this from afar.

If it is hard for you to visualize, buy a few samples and then see how it looks. You can surely take back what you don’t need and exchange these for those that you will end up using.

For those who will use a container, make sure that it is food-safe and made of plastic. Keep in mind that terra cotta pots can also be used. Some people are able to put two or more herbs in one pot. If the herb you are planting is a large plant, don’t even try it and grow these in separate pots.

The best place to buy herbs is in a nursery. There, you can buy a plant that is almost fully grown or one that is still a seed.

The problem with some seeds is that it takes weeks before it grows. On the other hand, there are also some seeds that quickly grow so you have to do some research to find out how fast it grows.

Aside from choosing what herbs to plant, attention must also be given to the type of soil where this will be placed. Ideally, you should work with soil that is sandy because this will provide good drainage for your herbs.

If you are using the proper soil, the only thing to do now is make sure your herbs are getting sufficient amounts of sunlight.

Unlike fruits, you don’t have to harvest the herbs all at once. You should only get it sparingly so these will still be good whenever you mix this with whatever you are cooking.

One thing you should know about herbs is that not all plants are compatible with others. This is because some of these herbs have a negative biochemical reaction with certain plants around them so you have to be careful.

Aside from using the right soil and giving your mulch sunlight, it will also be good if you add mulch. You can make this yourself using some garbage or buying this from the store.

Herb gardening is interesting because it can be used for a lot of things. You can use it for food, as an alternative to medication or even for aromatherapy.

One threat you should always be on the lookout for are pests like red spider mites and aphids. You can get rid of them by mixing castile soap and water then spraying this over the herbs or putting a few other insects that will do the job of getting rid of them.

There are many ways to use the herbs and it can be used fresh or dried. It really depends what you will be using it for because you can even soak this in oil.

So what are you waiting for? Go to the nursery and get some herbs so you can have your own herb garden.



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Container Gardening Ideas--Growing Fresh Herbs

Container plants are really in demand these days. It can make homes more attractive despite the limited yard space. You can enhance estates, suburban gardens, summer cottages, and city backyards through container gardening. You can use this type of gardening in adding a touch of beauty on your steps, entrance-ways, walls, courtyards, balconies, rooftops, breezeways, driveways, lawns, sundecks, walks, windowsills, summer houses, porches, and tree stumps.

The houses focal point is the entrance. If you want to make things simple, place two identical containers on both sides of your doorway. If the overall design of the house is informal, you can paint the containers for more cheerful note. For formal architecture, you can use ornamental pots or urns. Use a symmetrical arrangement because it is pleasing to the eyes especially if the doorway is not located at the center. For those who prefer large specimens of plants, you can balance it by putting small pots with different plant combinations. The house plants should not be exposed to the wind or the strong sun.

Potted plants can also be placed on the rear and side entrances. You can plant petunias, dwarf dahlias, herb boxes, fuchsias, begonias, fragrant nicotiana, patient Lucy, and many others.

On your veranda and porches, you can place hanging baskets, window baskets, and other attractive containers. You can use different plant specimens for this spot.

Family and guests often spend relaxing moments on the terrace or patio. For formal settings, you can have clipped evergreens in symmetrical rows. You can put them in a single line along the terrace edge or against your house. For informal settings, you can have groupings of tall and small plants. For accent and height, you need to have room for larger plants.

Paths or walks leading to the house can also be lined with container plants. Choose the appropriate plants that you can use in this area. You can add some cut trunks of trees and use them as pedestals for plant containers. If you have a tree, you can remove some of the trunks and re-use it. Sitting areas can be made underneath shady trees.

Container gardening is really fun. With a bit of creativity and imagination, you can go a long way. Follow these great ideas and see if it suits your home. It will all depend on your personal preference. You don't need to be an experienced gardener in order make this a reality in your own home. Consult the garden shop in your area now. 

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Herb Garden Kits--Growing Fresh Herbs

 

Ultimate Grow Kit

Some of us have the desire to grow our own herbs but lack the

knowledge of how to get started.  There are a lot of questions that come along with starting an herb garden.  For instance, which herbs do better if they were grown from seeds?  What is the right kind of soil to grow herbs in?  By purchasing an herb garden kit you will receive the answers to these questions and much more.

Herb garden kits contain a large variety of herbs and can be categorized into Italian herbs, culinary herbs, international herbs, German herbs, herbal tea herbs, salsa herbs and many, many more.  All herb kits are different but contain similar items in which to get started with.  All herb kits will contain seeds.  Some herb kits will

contain a dome that will provide consistent temperature and humidity for the herb plants to thrive and to grow a healthy root system.  They will also contain an instructional guide.  This will give the herb grower easy to follow instructions to succeed with their herbs.  Some kits will offer recipes in which to us the herbs that you are growing.  Other websites that sell herb garden kits will offer a newsletter you can sign up for which will provide recipes and additional useful information.  Kits will also provide the planter in which the herbs will be grown in.  Again, all kits are different but, most kits will also provide either soil or pellets in which to grow the seeds with.

Growing herbs indoors from an indoor herb kit has many benefits.  First off it is easier to enjoy the herbs because they are right at your finger tips.  You don’t have to trek out to the garden to add a little seasoning to the pot on the stove.   It is also just as easy to harvest herbs and freeze them for future use.  Plus, with the constant growing conditions that is provided to plants in indoor conditions, you don’t have to worry about winterizing herb plants or herbs that don’t survive the winter weather conditions.  The herbs have a constant temperature in which to thrive.  Plus, all herb garden kits are different but most are small and compact.  They are great for small spaces or apartments.  Plus, when growing plants outdoors it can be hard to judge which area in the garden will get the right amount of light for each plant.  Plus, rain fall makes it easy to water plants but too much rain can also be harmful.  By growing herbs indoors with a complete instructional guide, you are able to take the guess work out of this hobby.  Your herbs will be successful every time. 

There is probably a better feeling of accomplishment when you become an herb expert and can grow any kind of herb in your garden.  But it takes work to get there and a good way to learn is through an herb kit where the difficulties are removed and you are left with the enjoyment of the herbs.  Once you get to know the herbs you are growing a little bit more, you can move them into your garden and you are on your way to becoming an herb expert.


Ultimate Grow Kit


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Herb Garden Plants--Grow Fresh Herbs

Herb plants come in annuals, perennials, and biennials like other types of plants.  There are so many different types of herbs and each one is different.  If you are interested in a specific type of herb, you should research that one to understand the care it needs and how to use it properly.  This article will get you started in understanding general different types of herb plants and what they are used for.

Annuals like basil, cilantro, and summer savory will not survive a frost.  They need to be planted from a seed or a small plant every year.  Perennials like sage and winter savory can survive colder temperatures and will return year after year.  Biennial herbs are plants that form leaves in their first growing season and flowers and seed in the second season, then die.  Biennial herbs like parsley, angelica, or caraway should be sown in late spring directly into the garden.  Prepare the soil first by working it to a fine texture and wet it slightly.  Plant the seeds in shallow rows then firm the soil on top of them.  Fine seeds can be planted in a mixture of sand which will allow them to spread more evenly.  You can also cover the bed with wet burlap or paper in order to keep the soil moist during germination.

Herbs are also grouped into the categories for which they are used.  Culinary herbs are probably the most useful to herb gardeners.  They have a huge range of different uses in cooking.  Because of their strong flavors, herbs like chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram are generally used in small quantities to add flavor to different types of food.  Parsley is an extremely popular herb that is used mostly as a garnish.  Aromatic herbs have pleasant smelling flowers or foliage.  Oils from aromatic herbs like loyage, mint, and rosemary can be used to make different types of perfumes, toilet water, or other various scents.  Parts of aromatic herb plants used intact can also be used in the home to scent linens or clothing.  They can also be dried and made into potpourri which will enable them to be able to retain their aroma for a long period of time.  Lavender and lemon verbena are great herbs to use for potpourri.  Some herbs are also used for medicinal purposes.  For centuries herbs have been thought to have the ability to cure the body.  Present medical knowledge recognizes that some herbs are beneficial to one’s health, others are overrated.  Herbs used for medicinal purposes should be used carefully.  Some herbs are harmless but others can be dangerous if eaten.

Some herbs are not used for their flavor, power to heal or fragrance.  Some herbs are also used for their beauty.  Ornamental herbs have brightly colored flowers and foliage.  Many have whitish or various light colored flowers like valerian which has crimson blossoms and borage and chicory which grow gorgeous blue flowers.

While herbs can be categorized into these different categories of uses, many herbs have multiple purposes. For example, mint may be used for cooking, tea, and pest control.  Whatever the reason you have an interest in herbs, by understanding herb garden plants you are able to pick the herbs that will be most useful to you.

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Herb Gardening--Chives, Mint, Lavender

Herb gardening is becoming more and more popular every day, and for a good reason.  Herbs have practical value, serve a purpose, and with herb gardening you can actually use your plants.  When most people think of herb gardening they automatically think of cooking, but herbs are also grown for their pleasant aroma and their beauty.

One important part of herb gardening is drying the herbs for use during the winter months, especially if you plan on cooking with them.  First the tops of leafy herbs have to be cut, washed, and hung up for the water to evaporate.  Then, tie stems together and hang up in a paper bag to dry.  After two to three weeks they must be removed; crumble the leaves, dry them out in the oven, and store in a glass jar.

One of the most common herbs gown in herb gardening is basil.  “Dark Opal” and regular green basil are beautiful additions to any garden and often used as decoration.  Dark Opal has light pink flowers and dark red leaves.  Basil isn’t just used for its looks; it is used for extra flavor in tomato juices and pastes.

Chives are very petite looking and resemble a blade of grass.  They are much stronger than they look, however, and will grow well through a drought and a drought.  Their toughness and sturdiness makes Chives a perfect plant for herb gardening, especially if the gardener doesn’t want plants that require a lot of hassle.  Chives are good used in salads, egg dishes, and many different sauces.

Mint is also very simple to grow and is good to use in mint jelly, mint juleps, lemonade, and any other kind of fruity drink.  Mint is also good in herb gardening for its unique minty smell.  Two herbs that appear in nearly everyone’s herb garden are thyme and sage.  Both of these herb gardening favorites are used for flavoring soups, chicken, turkey, pork, and other sausages.  Sage is also grown sometimes for its beautiful blue spiked flowers.

Lavender is probably the best smelling herb in all of herb gardening and is often used in candles, as a perfume scent, and to improve the smell in linen chests.  The light purple flowers smell absolutely lovely.

Other types of herbs often grown in herb gardening include borage (used in salads), chervil (used in egg dishes), sweet marjoram (flavors lamb, fish, salad, and soup), sesame (flavors crackers, cookies, and bread), and dill (flavors meats and used in pickles).  Herb gardening allows gardeners to use herbs from their own garden for cooking, looks, and smell.  Herb gardening will produce much fresher herbs with more flavor than store-bought herbs, and are a lot cheaper.


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Herb Gardening Inside the House--Growing Fresh Herbs

Do you have plants on your yard? If you do, then you're probably worried whenever the winter season is near. Not all plants can tolerate the cold climate and so you need to help your plants in fighting or resisting chilly winds or the frost. If you have herbs, you need to protect them as they are quite delicate. Don't worry because you can now take herb gardening indoors.

Taking your herbs indoors does not require home renovation or repair. Find a window in your house which faces the west or south direction. Place the containers containing the herbs near the window and make sure that they get five hours of sunlight every day. Even if you live in one of the high-rise apartments in your area, you can do some herb gardening indoors.

For beginners, you can plant mint, rosemary, and thyme. If some of your friends or relatives have these herbs, you can ask for cuttings of the herbs or you can easily purchase them from a local florist or the supermarket.

How will you do it? Get a soil-less mixture of vermiculite, peat, and perlite. The package usually contains the directions on how to use the mix or you can inquire at the greenhouse where you bought them. If you hate shopping, you can start by planting seeds of the herbs. In this case, you will need a clay pot or terracotta which is approximately six inches in diameter. This pot size is perfect for growing herbs because it can provide enough space but just make sure that the pot has good drainage.

For symmetry, try to purchase pots made from the same material. Pots should be of the same size and shape. Contrast will just come in from the herbs that you're going to plant. Herbs come in different shapes and colors. You can plant two herbs in one pot but this is not a good idea because they might end up having the same taste. It would be best to plant the herbs in individual containers. If you're planning to plant seeds, you can start with oregano and basil but you need to ensure that you get only the compact seeds because such seeds are easier to grow indoors. The seeds should be tucked under the soil at the specified depth and spray water after covering it with soil.

Potting soil is necessary for the success of your herb gardening in the indoors. Once the sprouts appear, don't over water the herbs. Follow these things and you can grow healthy herbs even on winter.


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Herbs to Plant for Pest Control--Growing Fresh Herbs

Have pests been bugging you at home? A huge variety of pesticides and other pest control products are available in the market. However, only a few of them really work and some also have harmful effects on the environment and to your body as well, especially when overexposed to these harmful chemicals.

Meanwhile, if you have been gardening, then this might be the best time to utilize that hobby and effectively get rid of these pesky pests.

Natural Pest Control Methods

Not many might realize that when nature strikes, nature also provides solutions. The same goes with pest prevention. Most people would initially think of pesticide as the only means of controlling pests when they start to attack. However, herbs and plants can now be utilized to provide natural means of controlling pests.

Herbs can effectively put an end to your problems with pests. This might not sound feasible but biology can explain everything. Pests have natural enemies in nature, so you must take advantage of this to fully rid yourself of these pests.

Herbs and plants contain active ingredients that can disrupt the system of most pests. Not only that, it ensures faster kill for these annoying pests and insects.

Herbs That Fight Off Pests

If you want to fully rid your home of pests, you can drop by your local supermarket.   Then, grab some of these herbs that are proven to contain ingredients that will effectively put an end to your pest problems:

In your fight to keep your house pest-free, you need to know what types of herbs are effective against certain types of pests. Planting pest-killing herbs in your garden will bring you the following practical benefits:

1.    You will be able to plant herbs that you will find useful later on for purposes such as aromatic, culinary, or medicinal.

2.    You can save money from not having to purchase expensive pesticides that do not work.

3.    You reduce the health risks posed by your exposure to harmful chemicals contained in the pesticides.

Mint as Pest Control

When thinking about which herbs to plant in your garden, mint should secure the top of your list. Different varieties of mint are effective against different pests:

-    Peppermint – this particular type of mint effectively controls lice, ants, flies, moths, and lice
-    Pennyroyal – this type of mint deals with pests such as gnats, lice, moths, ticks, and ants
-    Spearmint – this one wards off most of the pests enumerated above

Since mints have been proven effective against these annoying pests, you can try planting them in front of your house or by the doorway. That way, you can prevent most pests from gaining access into your home. Because mints have the tendency to grow out of control, it is best to plant them in a pot.

Another great thing about mints is that they are quite adaptable and have a high tolerance for both sun and shade. However, you do have to keep them moist if you want to keep them healthy.

Basil as Pest Control

Basil is a common herb used for culinary purposes. However, it is also an herb that effectively controls pests, particularly the bush basil. Basil is most effective in warding off flies. In fact, folk stories say that it is a tactic for Italian cooking to keep tomatoes and basil together in preparing their recipes so as to ward off flies that could potentially swarm fresh tomatoes.


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How to Start Container Gardening--Growing Fresh Herbs

Perhaps you're wondering how you can start container gardening. This is great for those who have very limited space. For instance, if you live in an apartment, you can utilize container gardening. The containers can be placed near the window or on the terrace so that the plants can get enough sunlight. If you want to try it, read this article so that you won't have a hard time in creating a container garden.

It's really quite simple. You need to purchase pots for the plants or you can use the ones you already have. If you want, you can use your creativity to create attractive plastic containers. After that, you can now buy new plants and compost. Once you've planted them on the plastic containers, don't forget to add water. Having a miniature garden in your own home can create a pleasant atmosphere.

Now, the whole process seems very simple but when you're already doing the actual thing, it's a bit different. If you're just starting out in gardening, this type of gardening is a good choice.

In the recent years, container gardening became very popular. One reason is that there are lots of containers to choose from with different designs, colors, and sizes. You will surely be able to choose a container that will suit your personal taste and preference. Another reason is that you can choose among the many plants that you can plant in them. Beautiful plants and flowers are attractive and they can create a relaxing atmosphere at home. If you want an instant home garden, container gardening can give you what you need.

Are you convinced to start container gardening? First, visit the local garden store in your area. Check out their plant displays, specifically the ones suitable for container gardening. Try to inquire about the growth requirements of the plants you're interested to buy. The store owner will gladly provide the necessary information you need. You can find pots in the store. Make sure that you purchase the right-sized pot for a certain plant. Some plants prefer small space but some plants need a larger space to expand. The drainage of the pot should also be checked; proper drainage can prevent the roots of the plants from rotting especially if you've watered the plants too much. Use the appropriate kind of compost for each plant. You see, plants are unique and you need to meet their special conditions.


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How to Do Indoor Gardening--Growing Fresh Herbs

Plants are just as popular as furniture when one is deciding on furniture and soft furnishings.
Aside from the aesthetic value plants provide your home with, there are also health benefits - grade school science class tells us that plants cleanse the air through utilizing the carbon dioxide and producing more oxygen. Here is some important information on how to care for your indoor plants to gain the optimum health and aesthetic benefits.

Lighting

Most indoor plants need good lighting. You can provide this through natural lighting in the room of your choice or there must be electric lighting. Darker leaved plants usually don't need as much light as others.

Here are the varieties of plants (usually those that only require medium to low light) that are known to be suitable for indoor gardening:

a. Philodendrons
b. Boston ferns
c. African violets
d. Cyclamens
e. Creeping Fig

Watering

A common mistake most people make in indoor gardening is they tend to over-water the plants, which may lead to rotting roots.  Make sure to research the type of plant you have, because each kind of plant varies on their watering needs.

Potting

Choose good quality and attractive container for your indoor plants. Make sure that the pot is clean before placing your new plant into it to prevent infection and to encourage healthy growth.

Humidity

In indoor gardening, humidity is a big issue.  The amount of moisture in the air has effect on the growth of the plants. During mornings, you could spray the plants with water for their much-needed moisture. Make sure the leaves don't get covered in dust.

Fertilization

Just like watering, fertilizing depends on the type of plant.  If you have managed to supply your indoor garden with the right amount of light, water and humidity, fertilization may not need much attention. A good indoor fertilizer can be bought from most home depot or hardware stores. Orchids need the special fertilizer available.


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Organic Gardening and Containers--Growing Fresh Herbs

Sometimes, gardeners don't have enough lawn space in their homes or none at all to make a successful and subsequently beautiful organic garden. But don't despair; you can make an organic garden in a small space without the help of a spacious area. All you need is a container of any size and a pocket full of imagination. One has a slew of possible containers for the plant. You could use bath tubs and even those ubiquitous plastic containers. But knowing how to utilize them creatively will be the only way towards the goal of beauty epitomized in a little shell.

Benefits of A Garden in a Bottle

The main benefit of container gardening is the element of convenience that is inherent in it. You don't have to submit to the inevitabilities that come along with the fluctuations of weather, which could hammer down the plants with rain or kill it slowly by intense heat. The mobility that comes along with container gardening helps avoid that. When summer comes, the container should be outside, relishing the warmth that comes along with it. When its winter however, you can still help the plant survive by putting it indoors, beside the kitchen or living room window. The plant will not only get sufficient sunlight, it helps them avoid the nightmare that is falling snow.

Adding to the ease of maintaining the plant, it also adds some extra oomph to your living room or patio. Its bright colors will complement and/or brighten up the rather predictable interior of the house. Bring nature in your home and see it sprinkle the place with added freshness and pizzazz.

Along with these two, helping the plant survive is a million times easier. The fact that the presence of weeds will practically disappear and random pests such as snails, slugs and diseases that stem from soil will be at bay proves this point. Furthermore, potting mediums are more convenient and a lot easier to manipulate since they provide the optimal pH for your plant.

How to Set it Up

First of all, you need to purchase premium soil for the plant so as it will be lighter and it also provides exceptional drainage. Make sure that the potting mix that you will purchase won't contain fertilizer or organic matter, so you have to put the necessary nutrients in the soil yourself. You may buy a separate fertilizer in the garden shop or make one yourself. But its better if you do the former because it comes with instructions that aid the gardener what is the optimal amount for putting into the pot. That's because if you put too much fertilizer into the container, you'll practically burn the plants roots. There are a huge amount of types of fertilizers that cater to the plant, so make sure you find the best one for it whether its on the leafy or the flowery side.

How to Set it up- Watering the Plant

The most important thing the gardener must remember that container plants need more watering than the usual. That's because the plants that are in a garden benefit from numerous amounts of soil that hold the nutrients of water. While on the container on the other hand, it usually doesn't hold up and they get drained continually as you water the plant. So water it frequently but not too much that you're virtually drowning the plant.

You should water the plant in a way that it is gentle on its stem and leaves. So sprinkle the plant with a soft flow that doesn't harm the plant in any way. In warmer conditions however, you have to water the plant more frequently, maybe do a little re-watering 45 minutes after your initial one, so you will ensure yourself and the plant that there is enough water held up in the container.

Conclusion

There are a lot of advantages and very little cons that come with container gardening. The former are mainly convenience and mobility while the latter comes from the fact that it is simply too small to be admired at. But for the busy bee, who has too many schedules to fill and deadlines to rush through, container gardening not only takes little of his/her time, but the benefits that come with gardening in general, provide a fresh atmosphere when the person hard at work finally comes home.

For more information:  Growing Fresh Herbs

Using Herbs from a Home Herb Garden--Growing Fresh Herbs

You have planted the herbs and watched them grow and flourish.  They are extremely useful in so many ways.  But, using herbs from a home herb garden requires a little bit or work first.

In order to use the herbs you will need to harvest them first.  Timing is a huge factor.  The wind and the heat can disperse the essential oils of the herbs.  You should choose a calm and dry morning during midsummer to harvest your herbs.  Fewer oils are produced by the herb on extremely wet days.  Harvest the herbs just after the dew has dried form the leaves right before the flowers open.  Harvesting the herb does not mean removing the entire plant.  At this point, you are just taking a certain amount of growth for use.  You do not need to use the herbs that you are harvesting at the time that you pick them.  You can preserve them to use later.  Be careful not to take more then one third of the plant’s foliage at one time.  The plant will need a good amount of foliage to re-grow well.  You should also inspect the plant for insects and damaged leaves before you harvest it.

Typically there are three ways that people preserve their herbs for later use; drying, freezing, or preserving them in a medium like salt or vinegar. In order to dry herbs you need to bundle six to twelve stems together and remove any foliage near the base of the stems.  You can secure the bundle with string.  Hang the bundle in a cool location away from sunlight.  If you are looking to dry individual leaves you can place them on a screen or a rack.  Remember to turn them often in order for them to dry properly.  Some people have turned to using appliances like dehydrators, ovens or microwaves to dry herbs as well although these are less satisfactory ways.  Freezing herbs is a fairy simple way to preserve herbs.  Cut the herbs into ¼ inch pieces and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.  Once the herbs are frozen, you can place them together in a bag and store them in the freezer until use.  The third way to preserve herbs is through a medium.  For instance, you can cover herbs like chopped mint, basil or tarragon with vinegar and it will be preserved for several months.  Or you can make a flavored salt to preserve herbs by alternating layers of fresh herbs between salt.  When completely dry separate the brown herb from the flavored salt and store it in an airtight container.

Of course, people often use herbs fresh right out of the garden.  Take care cleaning the herbs before they are placed fresh in recipes.  In order to clean fresh herbs place them in a bowl filled with cool water.  If there is a large quantity of herbs you can use the sink.  Place about two tablespoons of salt in the water.  The salt in the water will drive away insects without damaging the plant.  Remove the herbs from the water and dry them in a salad spinner.

Different types of herbs are used for many different uses.  Each different type of herb has their own list of instructions on how to use, harvest, and chop them.  Make sure into research the specific type of herb you are using to use it correctly.


Author:  Growing Fresh Herbs

Medicinal Herb Guide for the Professional

Medicinal Herbs Know which botanical medicines are effective and which to avoid in an instant Medicinal Herbs: A Compendium contains the profiles of about 200 important and commonly used medicinal herbs. This short, concise resource is translated, complete revised, and updated from the German compendium Arzneidrogenprofile (2000) and was largely edited by the late Varro E. Tyler before his death in 2001.  With this guide, pharmacists and health practitioners will be able to quickly find information on medicinal plants and directions for their use. This compendium incorporates important botanicals from both European pharmacognosy and the North American medicinal herb market.  Designed originally for pharmacists who need a succinct, easy-to-use manual for every day use, Medicinal Herbs can also benefit pharmacognosists, physicians specializing in natural treatments, midwives, physiotherapists, herbalists, and students of these disciplines.  Included in the text are two tables for the medicinal plants an English-to-Latin binomial list and a Latin binomial-to-English list allowing readers who are not as familiar with English to more easily find what they need.  Each herb's profile in Medicinal Herbs has its own page which lists:  Its English name and Latin binomial the parts of the plant used for treatment areas of applications What ailments are indicated and how the herb is to be used dosage for using herbal teas, tinctures, poultices, and more instructions for the duration of application and when to contact a medical practitioner  Comments on the use of the herb, its efficiency and safety, and any traditions or folklore on that herb contraindications when not to use the herb  adverse effects interactions with other drugs

How to Start and Grow Your Own Herb Garden

Herbs are wonderful to use in everyday cooking and a healthy addition to your diet. Many fresh herbs really smell wonderful! However, they can be rather pricey. It is pretty easy to start and grow your own herb garden so you will have fresh herbs right at your fingertips. The money savings with your own garden can be very impressive depending on how often you use herbs. Like most things, home-grown herbs just taste better!

Many herbs were thought to have magical properties, due in part, to their medicinal uses. Ancient Romans and Greeks used crowns of Bay Laurel to honor their heroes. Romans used dill to purify the air in their banquet halls. Sweet marjoram was used by the Ancient Greeks as a valuable tonic, and parsley as a cure for stomach ailments. In the Middle Ages, rosemary was eaten as a cure-all for headaches as well as for its tranquilizing effects. Science has continued to
prove the valuable use of herbs in medicine.

If you’re not the type of person that wants to spend their time managing an elaborate fruit or vegetable garden but you want to have a small plot of “growing things”, you should consider planting and tending an herb garden.

First you’ll want to choose the herbs that you’ll plant. You may find this difficult due to the huge variety of herbs available, either through local nurseries or by mail order. The easiest way to elect what you wish to grow is to simply look through your kitchen spice rack. Choose herbs that you are familiar with at first and then expand your garden as you learn more. By planting your own collection of these herbs, you can save money on buying them from the grocery store while
having the added benefit of freshness. Some of the herbs you might start with include rosemary, sage, basil, dill, mint, chives, and parsley among others.

You’ll want to locate your herb bed in a convenient place. The easier it is to run out and snip off a bit of your favorite herb the more likely you will be to use your plants. Another benefit of having the herb bed close by is that you will have all that wonderful fragrance wafting through the open windows on warm summer afternoons.

What Makes a Good Spot for an Herb Bed?
Another thing you will need to consider when choosing the location of your herb beds is the amount of light the area receives. Some herb plants do well in full sunlight and others prefer to have a bit of shade. I have always located my kitchen herb beds in a combination shade/sun area of the house. I have, outside my kitchen door, a bed of thyme, sage, oregano, chives, parsley and garlic chives that has shade in the morning and full afternoon sun. They love it!
I always choose my locations for new beds by the amount of sunlight my plants need. Soil can be amended if you choose an area that is not very rich in nutrients, but it is difficult to change the amount of light a particular area gets.

What Should I Plant?
If you have never tried your hand at growing herbs, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer variety of herbs that are readily available. Skim through your favorite cookbook or take a look through your kitchen to find the most commonly used herbs and start with those. Depending on the size of your garden space and how much time you are planning on putting in choose the number and types of herbs that suit you and your family best.

When you are ready to begin planting herbs, you might be tempted to buy the more expensive plants from the store. However, herbs are very easy to start from seeds, and it is much less expensive than buying plants. One drawback to starting from seeds is the amount of time before you see the results of your work. So although planting your own herbs from seed is more cost effective, herb plants offer instant gratification.

Some herbs grow at an incredibly fast rate. For example, if you plant a mint plant in an open space, it will take over your entire garden in a very short time. Place mint and other invasive plants in large containers. This will prevent your garden from being overrun. Or you can cut off the bottom off a plastic 5 gallon bucket, bury it in your garden and plant your mint inside of it.

You will need to check the hardiness zone for your area to see if any special care is needed to over-winter any of the herbs that you plant. Herbs may be annuals, biennials, or perennials.
• Annuals (bloom one season and die)
• Biennials (live two seasons, blooming second season only)
• Perennials (overwinter; bloom each season once established)

Herbs for Beginning Gardeners
• Sage (Salvia officinalis) Sage is a woody, hardy perennial plant with oblong, wooly, gray-green leaves that are lighter underneath and darker on top. Sage grows 2 to 3 feet or more in height and has a tendency to sprawl.
• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Thyme is a low-growing, wiry-stemmed perennial that reaches about 6 to 10 inches in height. The stems are stiff and woody and leaves are small, oval, and gray-green in color. The lilac flowers are borne in small clusters and the leaves are very aromatic.
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Rosemary is a hardy evergreen shrub in areas where winter temperatures stay above 5oF (-15oC). In the Northeast, however, this perennial should be taken indoors and kept as a pot plant during winter. The narrow leaves have a leather-like feel and a spicy, resinous fragrance.
• Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) Parsley is a hardy biennial that is usually treated as an annual. It is popular because of its much-divided, sometimes curly leaves which have a characteristic flavor and smell.
• Oregano (Wild marjoram) (Origanum vulgare) Oregano, also called "wild marjoram," is a hardy perennial that has sprawling stems which can grow 8 to 2 feet tall. This plant is much coarser than sweet marjoram and smells more like thyme. It has small pink or white flowers.
• Dill (Anethum graveolens) Dill, a popular annual, has bluish-green stems that contrast with finely divided, yellow-green, plume-like leaves and yellowish flowers. Dill grows about 2 to 3 feet high.
• Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) Chives are small, dainty, onion-like plants that grow in clumps reaching about 10 inches in height. They are a hardy perennial with decorative, light purple flowers.

As your interest and knowledge increase, you can continue to expand the variety of herbs in your garden.

What Do I Need to Start Growing Herbs in My Garden?
It is not necessary for you to run out and buy a greenhouse or till up half of your yard to start growing your own herbs. Try starting with a small kitchen garden and work up from there as your knowledge grows from season to season.

First, decide whether you are going to plant your garden in the ground or if you would prefer to grow your herbs in a Container Garden. Container gardens are practical for those who have limited space for planting, or who would like to be able to bring their garden indoors during the winter months. Depending on the types of herbs you choose and where you live, some of them may have to be planted in containers so that they can be moved indoors once the cooler weather
hits. Once you have made up your mind, you’ll need to take a trip to the local nursery or garden store. At the nursery, you may want to ask for help finding herbs that grow well in your area.

Now you will need to have decided whether or not to start seeds or if you prefer to purchase plants. This is completely up to you and will not affect the quality of your garden in any way. We recently moved from our home of many years and had to leave behind my mature herb beds. Unfortunately, our move took place in the middle of winter and my plants were covered with snow so I could not take starts or cuttings with me. Once spring came to our new home, I immediately hit the local greenhouses and purchased several herb plants so that we would have
some right away for use in our kitchen. For the more exotic herbs that I enjoy, I purchased seeds to start so that I would have a lot of plants once they had come up. Most herbs are available as plants or seeds – the choice is really how fast you want to get your herb garden going.

Now that you have everything you need to start your herb bed, head for home and start planting!

What's left? Enjoy Your Herbs!
Now that you have your beds planted you should begin to reap the rewards of your labors. Whether by using your herbs in the kitchen or just sitting in a chair out by your garden and enjoying the wonderful fragrances, herb beds are a fantastic way to relax after a long day.

For more information about other eBooks in this series or Herb Garden Info visit:
http://growanherbgarden.blogspot.com/

Herb Gardening -- Growing Fresh Herbs

Herbs have been around since time immemorial and served different kinds of purposes. They have been used to treat illness and flavor cooking; they were even believed to have magical powers.  Do you want to have your own herb garden?  Here are a few ideas on how to establish an herb garden.

Plan your garden.

• Consider the herbs you want to plant.  Think about their types.  Would you like annuals, biennials or perennials?  

• How much space will they occupy in your garden?  If you want, you can purchase a book that can give you the right information on what specific plants you are planning to grow.  

• List or draw your garden on paper first.  Separate the annuals from the perennials so when the time comes that you have to pull out the annuals, you won't be disturbing the perennials.  Perennials can be planted on the edge of your garden so when it is time to till your garden they won't be in danger of getting dug up.  

• Another thing to remember is that you have to plant the tall ones at the back and the shorter ones in front.  Also, provide your plants with enough space to grow. Proper position shall help you in this area.

If you would rather keep herbs out of your garden (and some are quite invasive) you could have herb pots. These are large containers with three or more outlets for the herbs. Fill the pot up to the first outlet and plant it before continuing on with the filling and planting process. Usually, the herb that requires the most water is planted in the bottom hole, while the variety that requires the least, goes in the highest hole.

Some Design Ideas

You can consider having a square herb bed.  You can have your square bed divided into four by two paths crossing at mid point measuring 3 feet.  You can border it with stone or brick.  A wooden ladder may also do the trick.  You can lay it down on your garden and plant your herbs between its rungs.  You can also choose to have a wagon wheel bed.  Planting here is like planting with the wooden ladders.  Plant your herbs in between the wagon wheel's wedges.

Get Your Plants Growing

Of course, different plants have different needs, but many of them require alkaline soil.  This is the reason why you have to determine the herbs you want to plant in the planning stage.  This can more or less help you find out how you should care for your plants.  If you germinate your herbs from seeds, remember to follow the directions on the packet for soil, watering and temperature.

Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow. You just have to provide them with an effective drainage, sunlight, enough humidity or moisture and fertile soil.  Even with just minimally meeting these requirements they will be bound produce a good harvest.  

 For more information:  Growing Fresh Herbs