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Whether you are looking for basil for your salad, oregano for the sauce, or even lavender for a sachet, the best herbs can be those you grow yourself. Herbs are easy to grow and can be done singly in little clay pots or be done as a whole mini garden in a 15 gallon bucket. However you choose to grow them, these are some ideas to consider:
The first idea to consider is size. How big (or little) do you want the garden to be? Are you just growing herbs to snip once in a while for cooking or do you want the whole sensory experience of sitting next to all the different fragrances? Big or small, the amount of time you are willing to put into creating and maintaining the garden is part of the decision. Remember, the bigger the garden the more time it will take.
You will also want to consider what kind of herbs to grow. Say, perhaps a Scarborough Fair garden of Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, or the Italian herb garden featuring Basil (which comes in different varieties) oregano, and other sauce and soup herbs. So many choices may lead you to your local nursery or garden center to see what is available. Some of the easiest to grow are the following: Basil, oregano, parsley, chive, tarragon, rosemary and marjoram. A 15-gallon tub can host a variety of herbs and is deep enough for the water that is not used by the plants to seep down.
The growing medium of soil that works best for this type of garden is an equal mix of one part compost, one part potting soil and one part peat moss. These can be purchased at a home center or nursery. Fill the unit you are using with the soil mix and begin planting the seedlings. Make the hold as deep in the soil as the seedling pot, while taking care not to plant them too deep. Make sure the soil is then packed down firmly to eliminate any air pockets, and then water thoroughly.
You will need to water then about twice a day, more or less often depending on regional climate. The 15-gallon tub does not require a yard, and it can sit on your patio or balcony if you live in an urban area. During the winter months, your garden is portable and can be moved indoors to a sunny spot in the house so that you can enjoy fresh herbs in your cooking, your bath or a fragrant sachet year round. Be sure to research the proper use for the herbs you are growing so that you can enjoy the benefits of these plants while being aware of any contradictions or precautions.
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