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soil from your garden, it is always a good idea to add in some compost. This will help provide nutrients for your herbs as they continue to grow throughout the summer.
une is the perfect time to get your creative juices flowing and have some fun around your home planning a simple kitchen herb garden for you to enjoy, and your taste buds will thank you later. Even though it may seem like we’re nearing the end of the optional growing season, there is still plenty of time left for growing many edible plants, especially herbs. My first recommendation for new gardeners is to start small and keep it simple. Tuck a few successes under your belt in year one, and scale up little by little. When adding herbs into your garden, try sticking to the basics. Start off with a checklist. Light, space, soil, water, and the most exciting part of all - plants! Lighting plays a very important role when it comes to choosing your plant location. If you have to choose between a sunny spot or a shadier spot in your yard, pick the sunny spot! The best location for a new herb garden is one receiving full sun (6+ hours of sunlight a day). Some of my favourite easy sun loving herbs include rosemary, basil, thyme, chives, and oregano. Although most herbs thrive best with 6+ hours of sun a day, there are many herbs that can still tolerate partial shade. Cilantro, mint, dill, and parsley will still produce tasty leaves even with limited sunlight. While they may grow more robust if they receive full sun, they’ll still provide your family with enough harvests to satisfy your herbal appetite with just a few hours of sun per day. If you’re tight for space, don’t fret! Herbs do exceptionally well in containers and pots. Not only does this mean you can have quick access to your culinary planter while prepping a meal, but you also get to enjoy the bounty of fragrance and colour your planter will display right next to your door. Choose a pot with enough depth to encourage your plants to root out, as well as enough space for them to flush out and expand. Overcrowding plants into a small space can lead to stunted growth and inadequate air circulation, which can sometimes result in unwanted pests and diseases. My ideal herb planter would be
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Next comes watering. A simple way to help keep your plants hydrated is to start a watering routine. This will ensure you’re watering the plants efficiently and effectively. If your herbs are located in full direct sun and they’re in a container, it’s pretty safe to say you will have to water your pot multiple times a week, or even on a daily basis during the warm summer months.
Creating A Simple Kitchen Herb Garden 12+ inches deep, with 4-6 inches of space between each plant so they have room to flourish. Don’t let the lack of outdoor space deter you from growing your favourite herbs. If you live somewhere with no access to an outdoor area, try growing herbs such as basil, dill, cilantro, and parsley along your windowsill where they can still get direct light from outside. These are easy cut-and-come-again herbs that can handle our indoor temperatures. It is always a good idea to grow herbs such as oregano, thyme, and mint in pots instead of directly in the ground. This will help contain them from spreading throughout your garden into unwanted areas. The main ingredient when it comes to creating a successful kitchen herb garden is choosing the right soil. Think of soil as food for your plants. This is where your plants will gain most of their nutrients that will help them continue to grow all season long. You want to make sure your soil has optimal drainage which will allow for more direct movement of water and air down to the roots of the plants. Choosing a well drained soil such as a container mix, will help guide you from under or over watering your herb plants. I recommend using an organic container mix, however any all-purpose potting mix will do the trick. If you’re working with any existing
Containers in general dry out a lot faster than plants that are growing directly in the ground. I recommend watering your herbs first thing in the morning before the heat of the day takes over. It can be reassuring to know you’re giving the plants a head start to the day. The majority of herbs need water when the soil feels dry to the touch. A great way is to check the first few inches of your soil with your finger. If it feels dry, your plants need some water. Starting some herbs from seed can be a gratifying process and starting them now will still allow you enough time to enjoy them throughout this season. I personally like to get a head start when it comes to herbs and buy the herb starts that are ready to be transplanted into a large pot or directly into the garden. As exciting as it may be to buy them all, remember to start off simple. A great guide to follow is begin with plants you know you will use. Whether you’re growing your herbs to use fresh, dried, or to simply add an edible flare to your patio, remember the last and most important step of all - have fun with it! Enjoy the rewarding and therapeutic process of gardening. So go ahead and give it a go! Get your hands in that soil, and add a little spice of life to your garden, and to your plate. Submitted by Emily Bjornson-Skelly Dinter Nursery employee, mother of two, and edible garden enthusiast
