An herb garden layout can make a rewarding task and one that almost anyone can do successfully first time. Herbs are very tough and will cope with less than adequate conditions more so than many other plants.
Often due to their strong fragrances they are rarely an attraction to insects so pesticides aren’t usually needed.
Seeds are sown near the surface of the ground, so a good seed bed will need to be created at the outset. Before you get set with your herb garden, make sure you have the necessary tools and equipment to get started. Loosen up the ground first with a fork, and perhaps a rake to remove any large stones or clumps of earth. Herbs will thrive better in a well prepared seed bed - the better the seed bed, the better the drainage and the better the growth.
Herbs rarely need pruning and can be left well alone. However, occasional pruning if you wish will optimize their growth. Invest in a pair of shears and keep a pair of scissors handy for cutting smaller stems.
You might also consider, depending on the size of the garden, investing in a wheelbarrow. Wheelbarrows come in handy for all sorts of jobs and once you have one you will probably never be without one!
Placing a 3-4 inch layer of mulch over your planted herbs will help to reduce weeding as well as to help composition of the soil. Mulch comes in all sorts of materials – bark, wood chips, gravel – but be careful to leave a space around the base of the plant to reduce build up of moisture and heat.
Over-watering is One of the most common mistakes when growing herbs. If your herb plot is small enough to water with a can, try and purchase one with lots of small holes rather than one with a one-inch opening. This will help you water a sufficient amount but not too much.
If you are planning on creating a large herb area it might be worth investing in an automatic watering system to save valuable time. Drip or soaker hose systems are straightforward to set up and relatively cheap to purchase too. Their only downfall is that they usually need to be replaced after a couple of years.
If they are to last, automatic watering systems require quite a lot of maintenance. Snow and cold temperatures will wear the hoses so pull them up before winter and re-lay them in the following spring. Weigh up your time before you decide which is the best herb garden layout method of watering.
While they don’t last many years, automatic hoses don’t take long to lay so if time is crucial, leave the watering can in the shed and create an automatic system.
Birdhouses
