subject: Plant A Mini Herb Garden For Flavor and Aroma [print this page] Author: Pat Mctigue Author: Pat Mctigue
If you believe that the way to season that spaghetti sauce is with some shakes from a little container from your cupboard, you have never enjoyed fresh herbs! Imagine the flavor you get from that shaker, multiplied by 10, and exploding with aroma. Now imagine having those herbs growing right at your fingertips, ready for you to use. If you believe that this is only for experienced gardeners, think again! The reality is, you can grow a mini herb garden with very little effort, and even less space. For the true novice, there are many kits available, and they come complete with everything that is required to get started, and your success is practically guaranteed. The idea behind a mini herb garden is that it won't require large and carefully prepared garden beds. A mini herb garden will likely contain some plants for each of the herbs selected, but will be confined to a single, multi-tier container, or a small grouping. If you are planning your own mini herb garden, select the plants which you most enjoy, either for their flavor, or for their aroma. Since most herbs will grow very well in containers, you can appreciate the flexibility of growing your herbs in pots either inside or outdoors. Start your plants from seed, or buy seedlings from your local nursery, keep your plants healthy by giving them lots of light, whether it be natural sunlight, or fluorescent lighting, and keep the soil well-drained. Before you know it, you will have beautiful herbs ready to harvest. To harvest the plants from your mini herb garden, you will need to pay attention to what your plants are doing. Leaves are most flavorful right before the plant blooms. While seeds, on the other hand, need to be harvested after they ripen but before they dry out. Many herbs, such as chives, can be used fresh while others, like basil, are more versatile and can be enjoyed either fresh or after drying. To store the harvests of your mini herb garden, there are a variety of options. You can freeze the herbs, sealing in their flavors, or you can store them in an airtight container. In any case, giving herb gardening a try will be a rewarding experience. About the Author:
Pat McTigue is an herb garden enthusiast. For great information on
