Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

How to plant an herb garden

herbs The Sunday

To determine whether your plants are thirsty, feel the soil at least two inches down. It should be moist but not wet, like a wrung-out sponge.

Whether you’ve got a large yard or tiny apartment, herb gardens are an easy way to add a touch of greenery to your home and flavor to your cooking. Herbs are hearty plants that are easy to maintain, inside or outside, even for amateur gardeners. They thrive with just a little light, water and love.

Starting out: General care tips

⦿ Whether inside or outside, avoid clay pots that dry out quickly. Instead, use plastic, rubber or metal containers.

⦿ Pick or trim leaves regularly to keep your plant healthy and fresh. Harvest from the outside, allowing new growth to develop in the center. Don’t pick more than a third of the plant’s foliage at one time.

⦿ Herbs tend to be bug-free, which is why some even are used to make natural insect repellents. But if your plants do pick up unwanted guests, simply remove the infested leaves. If the problem persists, spray with a natural insecticide.

Consider annual vs. perennials

Annuals are fast growing and can be harvested regularly but grow only for one season and must be replanted in spring. Perennials grow more slowly but live and regenerate for several years.

How to grow outdoors

Click to enlarge photo

All of these plants grow large and make good ground cover. Indoor herbs such as oregano and parsley also can thrive outdoors with proper care.

TIPS

⦿ Southern Nevada’s summer heat can be devastating for new plant growth, so experts recommend avoiding planting in July and August. Instead, start a garden in early spring or fall. Seeds should be planted when nighttime temperatures are around 50 degrees.

⦿ Plant herbs in a sunny, sheltered location with well-drained soil. Many require six to eight hours of sun a day to be most flavorful.

⦿ Add a couple of inches of compost or mulch to the topsoil before planting. Southern Nevada’s natural soil is notoriously infertile.

⦿ In summer, water early and often. If herbs become even the slightest bit dry, they can fry. To counteract that, water in the morning before the sun starts to heat the soil, typically no later than 9 a.m. Never water when temperatures are highest, and avoid watering at night because disease can flourish in plants that remain damp.

⦿ In winter, protect plants by covering them with a plastic sheet at night. Roll it back during the day to expose the plants to sunlight. In summer, shield your herbs from brutal rays by pitching moveable shade cloths — available at gardening or hardware stores — nearby. Adjust the cloths to keep the herbs out of the direct heat and sun.

How to grow indoors

TIPS

⦿ Use a good potting mix, one that is fluffy but holds moisture. Look for ingredients such as aged bark, perlite, vermiculite, lime and sphagnum peat moss.

⦿ Good drainage is essential. Use only containers with drainage holes, and cover each with a small square of window screening. Be sure to use a saucer or drain pan underneath to catch excess water.

⦿ Keep indoor herbs out of the afternoon sun. The strong rays can scorch the plants. Instead, place herbs in an area that gets morning or indirect sunlight. About four hours a day is ideal.

⦿ If your home doesn’t get much sunlight, a simple fluorescent lamp can do the trick. Set the lamp on a timer during the day to give your herbs a healthy dose of light.

⦿ Water your plant when the top of the container feels dry. Also, pay attention to the weight of the pot, as that can help you determine whether your herbs need water. Light means dry, heavy means wet.

⦿ Feed herbs with a liquid fertilizer once a week when they are growing. Don’t feed them when they are dormant.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy