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If you are looking for an inexpensive way to try
out your green thumb, you may want to try growing an
herb garden.
Herb gardens actually trace back to medieval times
when monasteries and nunneries would use them to grow
needed medicinal herbs and as time went on they were
also used for culinary and decorative purposes.
Now herb gardens are making a comeback and many people
are beginning to try their hand at growing these simple
gardens.
Why Have a Herb Garden?
There are a variety of great reasons to have an herb
garden including medicinal uses, culinary uses and decoration.
For years, herbs have been used to improve health and
there are various herbs that have been found to improve
the health of the body as well as the health of the
mind.
Growing herbs is much cheaper than purchasing them
at your local supplement or nature store, so you can
save money by having an herb garden.
Herbs are used for culinary purposes as well and,
once again, it is much cheaper to grow your own herbs
than it is to purchase fresh herbs at your local supermarket.
Herbs make great additions to a variety of foods and
enhance the taste without adding unneeded salt.
Another reason you may want to have an herb garden
is for its decorative qualities. Herb gardens have long
been used as decorative gardens and if you are just
getting started at gardening, an herb garden can be
a simple place to start.
Where to Plant an Herb Garden
If you want to plant an herb garden, you can either
plant it in pots or planters or you can make a garden
plot in your yard. If you have limited space in your
yard or do not have one at all, the pots and planters
will be a great place to start an indoor herb garden.
Whether you decide to grow in pots indoors or you
have a plot outside, there are a few things to remember.
You need to be sure that your herbs are in a place
where they get plenty of sunlight each day. If you keep
them inside, make sure they are near a window with plenty
of sunlight and if you have an outside garden, be sure
to pick a plot that gets sun for at least 6-7 hours
each day.
Also make sure that the soil is good and if not,
you can add organic materials to make the soil more
productive. Water is also essential to your herb garden,
whether it gets rain outside or you are watering it
inside.
Choosing Herbs to Grow
Making a choice on what herbs to grow in your herb
garden will undoubtedly be somewhat based on your purpose
for growing an herb garden. If you are growing the garden
for medicinal purposes and special remedies, herbs to
consider are aloe vera, ginger, chamomile, calendula
and thyme.
If you are growing herbs for culinary use, you should
consider growing herbs like basil, oregano, sage, marjoram,
bay leaves, chives, parsley, mint and dill. If you want
a decorative herb garden, you will want to pick the
more attractive herbs like lavender, sage, rosemary,
evening primrose, chamomile, hollyhock and lemon balm.
Herbs are both beautiful and very useful and having
an herb garden will be a joy. You can have the pleasure
of eating your herbs or just enjoying their simplistic
beauty while you watch them grow. Whatever your reason
is for starting an herb garden, you will undoubtedly
find hours of pleasure and enjoyment in your herb garden.
Carol Stack enjoys gardening. She lives with her
husband, children, four dogs and seven cats in the United
States. They have a large property that keeps them busy
with gardening chores. Her Web Site, http://www.howtogarden.info
covers lawn care, organic gardening, landscaping and
more.
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