Herb Guides
April 28th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Herbs are such functional plants and can be used for so many purposes – from culinary to medicinal. Some people like to buy their herbs fresh from the local grocer or a natural food shop, while others prefer the DIY approach and grow their own at home. With so many uses and with so many types of herbs out there, it is no wonder that some people get confused! Sometimes it can be difficult to know which plants to use and when to use them, so an herb guide is a good source of valuable information.
Culinary Herb Guide
Culinary herbs form a long list indeed, which is why an herb guide is helpful in determining which seasonings to use in different dishes. More well known culinary herbs include basil, coriander and chives. Some herbs, like arugula and garden cress are primarily used for salads, while chamomile and lemon grass are best used for tea. Herbs like mint can be incorporated into a surprising number of dishes including meats, salads and soups. Cilantro is used often in southwestern recipes, and oregano is frequently the herb of choice in Italian fare.
Medicinal Herb Guide
Herbs have been used for centuries for their medicinal value, but a comprehensive herb guide is necessary to help you know which plants will be most effective for a variety of ailments. You can grow herbs at home that will help you boost your immune system or fight off infection. Some are good for energizing the body while others can be effective tension tamers. Medicinal herbs can also be taken in a variety of ways, from brewed teas to simple capsules. A good herb guide will help you to understand the best herbs to use for different problems and the most effective ways to take them.
Aromatherapy Herb Guide
One way that herbs can be used for their healing effects is through aromatherapy. This alternative field of medicine has been used for many years as a way to treat and prevent a variety of illnesses, and achieve better physical, mental and emotional health. A good aromatherapy herb guide can give you a listing of the most common herbs that are used in this area of holistic healing, and the different ways that they can benefit you. For example, some types of aromatherapy have a calming effect while others are good for energizing the spirit and the body.
Aromatherapy herbs can be enjoyed through essential oils that are put into baths, or used in diffusers. There are some aromatherapy herbs that should not be used while you are pregnant, which is another good reason to consult an herb guide before testing out any of these plants or oils.
For centuries herbs have served many purposes and undoubtedly will continue to do so now and in the future. The above is only a brief introduction to the types of guides that might be of use to you, if you are interested in learning more about the culinary or healing benefits of herbs, consult an herb guide for specific information.
In the meantime, happy herb gardening!
Technorati Tags: Aromatherapy Herb Guide, Culinary Herb Guide, Herb Guides, Medicinal Herb Guide
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Herb Seeds - A Guide to Making the Most of Your Herb Seeds for Your Herb Garden
April 28th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Most herb gardens – whether you buy a kit or decide to make them from scratch yourself - require you to grow herb seeds to start the whole process off. These are available in small packets from your local garden store, and sometimes other stores such as the gardening section at your local supermarket. Another option you might consider is buying your herb garden seeds over the internet. Herb seeds usually come in small packets and are quite cheap to buy. Sometimes you can even purchase a few packets of seeds at the same time for a better price than if you had bought them individually.
Once you have bought them you will need to plant your herb seeds to get the plants themselves to grow. And, this is where the beginner needs to make sure they follow the correct process to get the best results.
1) Make Sure You Read the Instructions!
This might seem obvious, but it really is a very crucial step. In general, different herbs require slightly different growing approaches to achieve the best results. For example, it might be necessary to plant your herb seeds at different times, as is the case for basil and mint. Basil likes to be sown in early spring, whilst mint fares better when planted slightly later.
This is why you need to plant your herb seeds according to a schedule, planting each one out at a separate time and making sure you allow room for the ones you will need to plant at a later date. Some herbs can be grown both indoors and outdoors, while others fare much better being grown indoors only as they are a bit more delicate.
Reading the instructions on the seed packet is vital to helping you to figure all this out. If you don’t read the instructions before planting your seeds, you may conclude that you are no good at growing herbs when find this out before you start planting your herb seeds you may think you just aren’t that good at growing them, when in actual fact it could be the weather that is to blame!
2) Indoors or Outdoors?
Because herb gardens work equally well indoors and outdoors, it is generally assumed that the growing conditions for each location are exactly the same, but this is not true. Some herb seeds fare much better when you start growing them indoors, since the conditions are much better. They can still be grown outdoors but it may take longer for you to see any real growth.
That is why reading the instructions on the packet carefully is so important! If you do so, you can plant your herb seeds at the right place at the right time, just about ensuring that you will get the best results. So make sure you plant your herb seeds with due care and attention, and you will just about be guaranteed to achieve delightful results!
Basic Herb Gardens
April 28th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Planting a basic herb garden is easy to do and can be created in surprisingly small amount of space. Therefore, no matter if you live in an apartment or if you have a sprawling backyard, you will be able to find a space that is perfect for creating your basic herb garden.
Before you start creating your basic herb garden, there are a few things you have to decide. The first thing you should consider is the type of herb garden you would like. Do you want a container herb garden or are you looking for something a bit grander like a kitchen garden or a backyard herb garden.
The next thing you might want to decide is what sort of herbs you might like to plant in your garden. Will your herb garden just be for decorative purposes? Or will you be using your herbs for your cooking? You might want to consider getting an herb guide to help you decide what herbs to grow.
Once you have decided the type of garden that you want to create and have a rough idea of what herbs you will be planting in it, you will need to decide if you want to create your garden from herb seeds or from already existing plants that you will transplant. Once you have determined the type of planting you want to do for your basic herb garden, it’s time to go get some supplies!
Supplies
There are a few supplies that you are going to need for your herb garden. Of course, these supplies vary depending on the type of herb garden you are going to create. The following list includes all the supplies necessary for both gardens. They are:
• Soil
• Fertilizer
• Herb seeds or herb plants
• Containers (if you have chosen to grow an indoor herb garden)
• A spade
• A watering can, or anything you can use to water your herb garden with!
Instructions
Container Herb Garden
If you are using a container or containers to create your herb garden, prepare the container by placing the soil in it. Then depending on the type of fertilizer you are using add the fertilizer to create the growing environment. You may or may not, depending on the type of soil you get, want to wet the soil down before planting. If you are using seeds, follow the planting instructions for the types of herbs you are planting. If you are using already established plants, follow replanting instructions. These are usually listed with the plant, but can be found online if necessary.
Outdoor Herb Garden
For outdoor gardens weed and till the area to break up the soil and remove any large objects like rocks. Then add in the top soil and fertilizers and plant the seeds or transplant following the same as above instructions. Make sure that you look at the lighting needs of your herbs and place them in areas that receive the right amount of light and shade to ensure proper growth.
And there you have it, your very own herb garden! Next week we will be going a bit more in debt into indoor herb gardens so make sure you bookmark us check back regularly or subscribe to our RSS feeds!
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