Herb gardens have been around since people began cultivating plants over three thousand years ago. In ancient China, they used herbs plants to heal injuries, treat diseases and infections, and even to purify the air and help people who were suffering from blindness and other visual impairments. Of course, back then, the technology was very limited and there were no pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers to be aware of. See, ancient people learned how to grow herbs plants by growing them in their gardens and watching for what worked best with their particular circumstances.
Of course, you can follow this same ancient way of growing herbs, but you have to be well-informed first. It’s very easy to start growing herbs plants without knowing what the best conditions are for each type of plant and what the best time of year to grow them is. For example, you may only want to grow mint if it is in season, while you may want to grow garlic all year long if it is in season. This is important to know because you have to be prepared for whatever the circumstances are that you are currently in. Plus, you have to be prepared to harvest whatever you grow as well!
If you are new to growing your own herbs, you might be interested in knowing that there are two main categories of herbs. There are annuals and perennials, which grow quickly and last a long time between harvesting and replanting. Some examples of annuals are alfalfa, chicory, cilantro, sage, and thyme. Perennials include chives, chervil, fleur-de-lis, mint, oregano, Rosemary, and sweet basil. You can see that some of these do not need replanting all that often.
When you are considering whether a plant is annual or perennial, you should take into account what it will do you most benefit. Annuals will be useful for most anyone, since they grow fast and tend to be disease-resistant. Most herbs that are considered annuals can be planted right up to the year before you wish to harvest them. Many herbs like the shade of a shady tree and will do better in a container garden.
On the other hand, some medicinal herbs like the lemon balm, mint, and tarragon will do better if they are planted in a herbal garden. Container gardens are popular with many people, but some herbs like the scent of sunflowers can be enhanced when they are planted in an herb garden. It does not really matter which type of herbal plants and herbs you plant in your garden, as long as they thrive. If you are considering planting herbs for medicinal purposes, remember that you can grow your own herb garden at home and you will save a lot of money over in grocery stores where they are sold in bulk. All you have to do is learn how to harvest the plants and follow instructions carefully to make sure your herbs get the best growing conditions possible.
Planting herbs outside can be a great way to enhance your yard and garden as well. One of the best ways to grow herbs outdoors is to use them to grow your own herbs in a pot garden. Herbs such as mint can be planted in large flower garden containers to bring the scent of freshness and life right into your home on a daily basis. Planting herbs in a pot garden is very easy to do, and you can have several different types of flowers, both annuals and perennials, growing at the same time. Perennial herbs such as dill, marjoram, sage, and thyme can grow back again the next year, bringing you the sweet scents of their freshness all summer long!
If you are suffering from arthritis or other ailments, healing plants and herbs are great for relieving you of your symptoms. When you are looking for relief from your ailments, consider what healing plants and herbs you are using. Do you know that aloe vera is a great product for soothing cramps? Lavender is known to ease muscle pain, while mint is also a natural muscle relaxant. You may want to look into the healing plants and herbs that are known for their ability to treat various ailments and conditions, and then use those plants and herbs to relieve yourself of your ailments!