Tips for Growing Herbs, No Garden Necessary
2023-05-30
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1Herbs are among the easiest plants you can grow.
2They only need sunlight, water, and well-draining soil with a neutral pH.
3You do not even need a garden.
4Many herbs, such as rosemary, basil, cilantro, lemon balm, oregano and mint will grow well in containers.
5In fact, mints should only be grown in containers, unless you do not mind a garden takeover.
6Mint spreads extremely well.
7To get started, test your soil.
8Buy a pH test online or at your local garden center and follow the directions.
9A reading of 7.0 is best, but anything between 6.0 and 7.5 is generally acceptable for growing herbs.
10If the soil tests lower, add garden lime to raise it.
11If it is too high, add elemental sulfur to lower it.
12Follow directions on the product about how, and how much, to use.
13If growing herbs in containers, use a potting mix meant for edibles.
14The package label should include information about its pH level.
15Choose a site that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
16If your garden has sandy or heavy clay soil, use a moderate amount of compost, 15 to 20 centimeters deep, to stabilize drainage.
17If the soil is always wet, remove the top 15 to 38 centimeters of soil, then add 7.5 centimeters of crushed stone to the bottom of the hole.
18Combine some compost with the soil you removed and refill the hole with the mix.
19Create a mound at the top. It will settle lower over time.
20If you are using seedlings, follow the directions on the plant tags or seed packet.
21Some herbs are well-suited for direct sowing into the garden; check seed packets for guidance on spacing your herbs.
22Herbs will not grow well in wet conditions, so let the soil dry out a little between waterings.
23Herbs also taste better when grown without fertilizer.
24For this reason, do not overdo the compost when amending the soil to improve drainage.
25Chervil, summer savory, fennel and lovage are exceptions.
26They do well with fertilizer.
27Annual herbs complete their lives - from seed to senescence, or death - in a single growing season.
28They include basil, cilantro, dill, chamomile and marjoram.
29Perennial herbs, which return for several growing seasons, include rosemary, thyme, sage, tarragon and oregano.
30Biennials, like caraway and parsley, live for two growing seasons, producing only leaves during their first year, then flowers and seeds in their second before dying.
31However, if they are not strong enough to survive your winters, you may have to treat some listed perennials as annuals.
32For the strongest smell, harvest herbs in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the sun gets intense.
33Use basil in meals with tomatoes.
34Add rosemary to chicken, pig and lamb meat.
35Make tea with the very small flowers of chamomile.
36Use dill with Greek food, fish meals and cucumbers.
37Sage and thyme are also great for many kinds of meat.
38And parsley will freshen your breath when you chew it.
39There are some interesting kinds of herbs to seek out, too.
40Pineapple sage carries the smell of the fruit it's named for, as do cinnamon and lemon basils, and strawberry and apple mints.
41There is even a chocolate mint, which is lovely when added to drinks like milkshakes.
42I'm Caty Weaver.
1Herbs are among the easiest plants you can grow. They only need sunlight, water, and well-draining soil with a neutral pH. 2You do not even need a garden. Many herbs, such as rosemary, basil, cilantro, lemon balm, oregano and mint will grow well in containers. In fact, mints should only be grown in containers, unless you do not mind a garden takeover. Mint spreads extremely well. 3To get started, test your soil. Buy a pH test online or at your local garden center and follow the directions. A reading of 7.0 is best, but anything between 6.0 and 7.5 is generally acceptable for growing herbs. If the soil tests lower, add garden lime to raise it. If it is too high, add elemental sulfur to lower it. Follow directions on the product about how, and how much, to use. 4If growing herbs in containers, use a potting mix meant for edibles. The package label should include information about its pH level. 5Choose a site that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. If your garden has sandy or heavy clay soil, use a moderate amount of compost, 15 to 20 centimeters deep, to stabilize drainage. If the soil is always wet, remove the top 15 to 38 centimeters of soil, then add 7.5 centimeters of crushed stone to the bottom of the hole. Combine some compost with the soil you removed and refill the hole with the mix. Create a mound at the top. It will settle lower over time. 6If you are using seedlings, follow the directions on the plant tags or seed packet. Some herbs are well-suited for direct sowing into the garden; check seed packets for guidance on spacing your herbs. 7Herbs will not grow well in wet conditions, so let the soil dry out a little between waterings. 8Herbs also taste better when grown without fertilizer. For this reason, do not overdo the compost when amending the soil to improve drainage. Chervil, summer savory, fennel and lovage are exceptions. They do well with fertilizer. 9Annual herbs complete their lives - from seed to senescence, or death - in a single growing season. They include basil, cilantro, dill, chamomile and marjoram. 10Perennial herbs, which return for several growing seasons, include rosemary, thyme, sage, tarragon and oregano. 11Biennials, like caraway and parsley, live for two growing seasons, producing only leaves during their first year, then flowers and seeds in their second before dying. 12However, if they are not strong enough to survive your winters, you may have to treat some listed perennials as annuals. 13For the strongest smell, harvest herbs in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the sun gets intense. 14Use basil in meals with tomatoes. Add rosemary to chicken, pig and lamb meat. Make tea with the very small flowers of chamomile. Use dill with Greek food, fish meals and cucumbers. Sage and thyme are also great for many kinds of meat. And parsley will freshen your breath when you chew it. 15There are some interesting kinds of herbs to seek out, too. Pineapple sage carries the smell of the fruit it's named for, as do cinnamon and lemon basils, and strawberry and apple mints. There is even a chocolate mint, which is lovely when added to drinks like milkshakes. 16I'm Caty Weaver. 17The Associated Press reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for Learning English. 18_______________________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20drain - n. to draw off or remove liquid gradually or completely 21pH - n. a measure of acidity and alkalinity of a solution 22edible - n. something that is suitable or safe to eat 23compost - n. a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land 24amend - v. to change for the better 25_______________________________________________________________________ 26We want to hear from you. What are your favorite herbs and how do you use them? 27Here is how our comment system works: 28Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.