I Couldn't Grow My Own Herbs

As there are such a wide variety of herbs with  a vast
range of uses, many people think that growing herbs is
difficult and must be an aspect of gardening that is
probably best left to the "professionals". Nothing could be
further from the truth.

Herbs are actually quite undemanding plants to grow and
they will thrive in a number of different environments.
Almost all herbs prefer a warm sunny spot and they can be
grown in containers, greenhouses, aeroponic containers,
window boxes and almost anywhere. Herbs are generally quite
hardy plants and also have a wide range of appealing
properties. Many have attractive flowers and foliage, some
are pleasingly fragrant and others can deter pests and
attract friendly insects to the garden.

The main decisions to be made in growing herbs are how much
space you want to devote to them, whether you want to grow
them indoors or out and for what purpose you wish to grow
them. They have a wide range of cooking and medicinal
purposes and are mostly decorative enough to consider for
borders, with the added benefit of the beautiful smells as
you brush past.

Annual herbs such as basil, fennel, coriander and saffron
can easily be grown from seed, planting in the spring and
mostly survive for just one season. Many produce seeds at
some stage of their growing cycle and these can be
harvested ready fo replanting the next year.

Perennial herbs such as mint, thyme, oregano and sage, with
the right care, will survive and flourish year after year.
Even although they may look devoid of life in the winter,
in lacking any foliage and with no visible signs of growth.
They are merely lying dormant and come the warmer weather
will spring back to life and blossom.

Both the annual and perennial herbs  can be propagated and
as the colder months approach they can be  dug up and
potted, or alternatively cuttings can be taken. Pots of
herbs will need some care over the winter and in the
greenhouse will require good light, watering, ventilation
and prompt removal of dead leaves or flowers.

Herbs are very versatile and can be stored either freshly
frozen at their peak of flavour, usually just before
flowering, or cut and dried and stored in airtight
containers.

Herb gardening is an ideal area for a project for the
novice gardener, with a wide selection of herbs to choose
from. They can be grown in almost any location and a
provide a usefully fragrant or edible product as a reward.


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John McGuire is an active gardener and manages his own
smallholding with extensive gardens and keeps a range of
farm animals. He is also an internet marketer and runs his
own gardening information and products website.
http://www.TheGardenLovers.com

 

Garden Hygiene

The maxim "prevention is better than cure" applies
particularly to gardens

Increasingly gardeners are turning away from the chemical
control of problems recognising that to rely on chemicals,
EG. pesticides and fungicides can create more problems that
they cure.Helpful predators may be eradicated along with
the pests leading to an even worse problem.

You may be a gardener who has diligently sprayed your
garden against aphids for years, and wonder why one long
hot summer your garden is plagued with aphids while your
neighbour's unsprayed plot is aphid free.The reason is that
you have gradually wiped out the predators, who are now so
obligingly policing your neighbour's unsprayed garden.

Of course, the wider global issues of pollution and the
potential dangers from chemicals, as well as the matter of
slowly destroying the ecosystem within your own garden. Are
also a concern when thinking about how to tackle plant
problems.

Keeping problems in perspective

The first thing to consider before becoming hysterical
about pests and diseases, and automatically reaching for
the nearest chemical spray is to get matters into
perspective. Some pests may be unsightly but are actually
not as hazardous to a plant as other threats, such as
inclement weather.

In fact in general weather issues are a much bigger risk to
plant health than individual pests.Something worth bearing
in mind when you spot a single caterpillar perched on your
precious cabbages.

The second biggest plant enemy is bad gardening practice.
EG. overcrowding your plants leaves them prone to
infection, poor hygiene is another plant hazard.If you do
not remove diseased material and burn, deeply bury or
compost it well, you are inviting further plant troubles.

This gives you some idea of the responsibility you have as
a gardener.Your aim should be to maintain plant health,
rather than allow problems to occur and get out of
hand.Then curse the pests who are in fact way down in the
ranks of plant difficulties.

Minimising problems

Keeping your garden healthy by careful and consistent
adherence to gardening basics will go an enormous way
towards preventing pests and disease from overwhelming your
plants.With the huge variety of plants on offer, it makes
sense firstly to choose healthy looking specimens of
disease resistant strains and plant them appropriately.

A plant grown in the particular type of soil it needs and
where it can receive the amount of light it requires.Has
much more of a chance of surviving without problems than a
plant grown without respect for its natural demands.Take
car to provide the appropriate level of water, remembering
that too much can be just as injurious as too little.

Spacing is an important consideration, plants grown close
together will compete for nutrients and congested, humid
conditions will encourage fungal disease. Follow the
guidelines for optimum spacing that appear on individual
plant labels.

Garden hygiene is a factor often overlooked as being of
serious concern in preventing problems.After all muck is
muck at least visually.However it is all too easy to
transfer disease through poor garden hygiene,EG. by
planting in uncleaned pots which may carry disease spores,
or by propagating using a knife that has not been
sterilised.


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Also while your there why not checkout our full range of
plants and seeds.

 

Eco Indoor Gardening - A Fun and Healthy Pastime

Indoor gardening is becoming a popular activity worldwide.
Indoor plants not only detoxify the air, but also provide a
charming and decorative addition to any home or apartment.

ORGANIC PLANT FOOD - A HEALTHIER CHOICE

Derived mostly from non-renewable fossil fuels, chemical
fertilizers are used to fertilize soil. The widespread and
excessive use of chemical fertilizers has increased air,
soil, and water pollution. As well, these fertilizers have
increased the amount of greenhouse gas emissions into the
atmosphere. More scientists are coming to the conclusion
that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can
adversely affect people, especially children. Studies have
shown that people exposed to toxic chemicals while working
on farms often develop various forms of cancers later in
life. Also, these chemicals are dangerous when stored
around the house, contaminate the soil, and are difficult
to dispose of properly.

Many of the fast acting fertilizers can stunt, burn, or
kill your plants. When you choose eco organic gardening,
you are helping to protect the environment. Natural organic
plant food can restore healthy soil, improve seed
germination, stimulate root growth, and reduce the need for
synthetic chemicals. Natural plant foods such as Solay
Simple Biodynamic plant food mix, is formulated with
ingredients that come directly from nature. Nothing has
been chemically altered or synthesized.

BEST PLANTS TO CLEAN INDOOR AIR

Certain plants are excellent in ridding the air of
pollutants and toxins. Plants that rate highly as an indoor
purifier include: Chinese evergreen, Areca palm, Reed palm,
Dwarf date palm, Boston fern, Janet Craig dracaena, English
ivy, Australian sword fern, Peace Lily, Rubber plant and
Weeping fig.

EASY TO GROW PLANTS AND HERBS

When growing indoor plants and herbs, it is important to
have knowledge of each plant's needs for survival and
success. For some plants, a sudden change in temperature,
drop in humidity and too much or too little water, can
hinder its growth. The following is a list of plants that
are easy to grow indoors:

1. Weeping Fig Ficus benjamina: one of the hardiest of the
indoor plants because it can survive during long periods of
inattention.

2.  Braided Ficus Tree:  one of the most popular plants
grown by indoor gardeners because it is easy to care for
and adaptable

3.  Cactus Combo Bonsai:  with its unique plant forms,
temperature and moisture adaptability, cacti are an
attention-grabbing group of plants.

4.  Chamaedorea Palm: this plant will add a tropical
decoration to any part of your home.

5.  Chinese evergreen: an excellent selection for beginners
because it is a low-light lover and requires little
maintenance.

POPULAR HERBS

Basil is a unique herb because it requires moist and rich
soil. Cilantro, or coriander, a strong herb originating
from tropical Asia, requires plenty of water and a warm
environment. Mint is a flavoring herb with many
assortments, tastes, and scents. Popular varieties include
apple, spearmint, and peppermint. Oregano and marjoram are
very similar and have often been mistaken for the other.
Marjoram has a much milder taste than oregano. Sage,
particularly common sage, is a main cooking herb, but most
other members of the sage family have been used for
cosmetic purposes.

Herbs need at least six hours a day of full sun as well as
good drainage. Many scented herbs, such as oregano,
rosemary, and thyme, originated on rocky hillsides in the
Mediterranean where their roots escaped the hot and dry
environment in cracks under large rocks. Although most of
these herbs are not too dependent on soil fertility, the
beds should be enriched before planting.

A HEALTHY AND REWARDING HOBBY

Eco indoor gardening techniques are less costly, easier to
handle, and environmentally friendly. Indoor gardens not
only provide health benefits to your home, apartment, or
office, they are also an enjoyable and rewarding hobby.


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Isabella founded http://www.solaywellness.com after
learning how beneficial natural salt is and about it's many
uses, as well as how it can be used to help people look and
feel better and live healthier. Visit Solay wellness for
all of your natural home needs, personal care, plant food
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