| Planning an herb garden can be fun and rewarding. | | | | roots with soil and gently tamp down. Give your new |
| Herbs have been in use for centuries for culinary, | | | | herbs plenty of water checking the moisture each |
| medicinal and aromatic reasons. For generations tribal | | | | day. Never let the soil dry out but don't make your |
| leaders and healers passed down the herbal secrets. | | | | herbs roots too wet. If you are planting a container |
| Many modern medicines have an herb base. Modern | | | | garden remember that the dirt in a container will dry |
| herbalist mix medicinal herb for their clients. Many | | | | out more quickly then the ground. You might find |
| herbalists also mix aromatic herbs for beauty | | | | that the herbs will droop for a couple of days. Don't |
| purposes. But, of course, the culinary herb is still the | | | | fret that is shock but they will recover. |
| most widely used. You can become a kitchen | | | | Once you have learned the herbs growth patterns |
| gardener by growing an herb garden right in your | | | | you can start pinching off to get a bushier herb. |
| kitchen on a sunny windowsill. | | | | When you first start out, keep a journal for your |
| For the discussion of herbal gardening today we will | | | | herb garden to keep track of each herbs strengths |
| plant the herbs found in the Elizabethan Era and so | | | | and weaknesses. After you get to know your herb |
| often mentioned in William Shakespeare's works. The | | | | garden you will be able to tell when the plants need |
| plants selected will be culinary herbs, medicinal herbs | | | | attention. |
| and aromatic herbs, all to experience the aromas and | | | | Over the centuries herbs have evolved into very |
| flavors of that time. | | | | hardy plants. Once you herbal garden is established it |
| Herbal gardening is wonderful since the herbs can be | | | | will need very little care. To hold moisture for the |
| grown in a variety of ways. Plant a container garden | | | | herb longer, mulch around the plants. This is a good |
| for you deck or patio for great colors, different | | | | garden tip whether you plant the herbs in container |
| textures and super aromas. Planning an herb garden | | | | gardens or in the ground. |
| in the ground will allow you to cultivate a traditional | | | | Herbs are natural insect repellents but if you have to |
| kitchen herb garden outside. Or if you have limited | | | | treat for pests be sure you use a non toxic |
| space, become an inside kitchen gardener and plant | | | | treatment since you will be eating your harvest. |
| your herbs on a windowsill or in a window box. | | | | Marigolds are a natural repellent so you may want to |
| When planning your herb garden remember that the | | | | plant of few of these flowers. Planting companion |
| herbs need well drained soil, they hate wet feet. | | | | plants is how most Shakespearian gardens were |
| Test your soil for the herb garden and make sure it | | | | done. |
| is alkaline. All Herbs need at least six hours of sunlight. | | | | Harvest can begin as soon as you have several |
| When Elizabethans planted aromatic herbs, culinary | | | | leaves on the herb. It is best to cut your herbs |
| herbs and medicinal herbs they used either a | | | | before they begin to flower for the best flavor. This |
| symmetrical rectangular or square patterns. The | | | | is when the most oils are stored in the leaves. Wait |
| Elizabethans were very formal and felt their herb | | | | until any morning dew has dissipated before cutting |
| gardens should be too. Their herbal gardens had | | | | but harvest before the full sun is out. You can cut |
| walkways, as strolling through the garden was a | | | | your herbs right before you wish to use them. If the |
| popular pastime. They had no TV'S! If you are | | | | stems are tender these too can be used in your |
| planting your herbal garden near a patio, think about | | | | recipes. |
| adding a strolling path for yourself. The paths will add | | | | If you have an abundant harvest you can freeze or |
| character to you herbal garden. | | | | dry the herbs. Dry them by hanging them upside |
| In planning an herb garden be sure to take in to | | | | down, in a bunch tied together, in a warm and dark |
| consideration the growing habits of each herb. Plant | | | | place. You can microwave them by placing them |
| the taller busier herbs in the back of the garden, the | | | | between two paper towels and microwaving for 2 |
| small, compact ones in the front. Most herbs are | | | | minutes. Put them in an air tight container, they will |
| perennials meaning they will grow back each year. | | | | last up to 1 year. |
| Any of the herbs that need to be planted annually | | | | Freezing the bounty of your herb garden will let them |
| should go in a spot in the herb garden that is easy to | | | | last a little longer, a year to year and a half. Chop up |
| get to. Give each herb plenty of room to grow. The | | | | the herbs and place on a sheet of wax paper. Freeze |
| herbs need air circulation to prevent mold. This stage | | | | for at least 2 hours. Another method is to put the |
| of planning an herb garden is essential since once the | | | | herbs in ice cube trays with water. Freeze until firm, |
| plants become mature they do not like to be moved. | | | | pop them out and put them in to zip lock bags. |
| When you plant an herb garden, you can either start | | | | When ever you need the herbs for soups, stews or |
| from seeds or get small plants from your garden | | | | sauces, just throw in an herb ice cube. |
| center. The garden center plants will give a better | | | | Now, here is the list of Shakespearian Herbs to plant |
| chance of achieving success in the herb garden. | | | | in your Elizabethan herb garden including culinary |
| When using seeds, plan ahead because the seeds | | | | herbs, aromatic herbs and medicinal herbs. It will truly |
| may need to grow for several months before they | | | | make you a kitchen gardener. |
| are ready to plant into the herb garden. Especially if | | | | Bay, box, Broom, Calendula, Chamomile, Chives, |
| you are a beginner, I would recommend using the | | | | Heartsease, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Parsley, |
| small plants from the garden center. | | | | Peppermint, Rosemary, Rue, Salad Burnet, Summer |
| Go to a reputable garden center to purchase you | | | | Savory, Bachelors Buttons and Thyme. For more |
| herbs. Inspect your herbs closely to make sure they | | | | information on each herb, email me or search on the |
| are healthy. One infected plant can ruin your whole | | | | internet. |
| herbal garden. When using the small herbs from the | | | | Happy Gardening! |
| garden center you will be able to harvest your herbs | | | | Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved. |
| much sooner. When you take the herbs out to be | | | | This article may be distributed freely on your website |
| planted in the herbal garden, gently remove the plant | | | | and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, |
| from the pot and loosen the soil around the roots. | | | | copyright notice, links and the resource box are |
| Place the herb in the spot you have chosen or the | | | | unchanged. |
| container that you have prepared. Cover all of the | | | | |