Plant Gardens 101

If you’re not the type of person that wants to spend their time managing an elaborate fruit or vegetable garden, you might consider planting and maintaining an herb garden. While the product might not seem as significant, you’ll still enjoy the constant availability of fresh, delicious herbs to flavor your meals with.

First you’ll want to choose the herbs that you’ll plant. You might have a hard time doing this because of the huge scope of herbs available. But the best way to choose is to do what I did; just look at what you have in your kitchen. By planting your own collection of these herbs, you can save money on buying them from the grocery store while having the added benefit of freshness. Some of the herbs you might start with include rosemary, sage, basil, dill, mint, chives, and parsley among others. (more…)

Here are some tips for growing perennials and herbs in containers.

For: Rose Mallow or Hibiscus. Spectacular for tall, bold effects. Large flowers, like single hollyhocks, appear during late summer and fall in red, rose, pink, and white. Hybrids measure nine and more inches across. Good for screening hedges. Plants like rich soil, abundant moisture, and full sun though partial shade is endured.

Select some perennials with good all-season foliage. When daylilies, peonies, phlox, coral-bells, gas plant, astilbe, and hardy candytuft finish flowering, their leaves remain attractive. With Oriental poppies, bleeding hearts and primroses, the leaves turn yellow once blooming is over, though this does not mean they are undesirable. Bare spots left by them can be concealed by other plants like quick-growing annuals.

Perennials like daylilies and iris thrive where it is hot; lupines, delphiniums, and astilbes prefer cooler temperatures.

You can have some biennials, too foxgloves, cantetbury bells, sweet Williams and verbascums and discard them after flowering.

Today, nurserymen and garden centers offer mature perennial and biennial plants in tins, baskets, tar paper, papiermache, and other temporary containers. They provide for quick, colorful effects.

PERENNIALS

Acanthus or Bear’s Breech. Tall and striking from southern Europe, whose leaf the ancient Greeks adapted for the capitals of Corinthian columns. Arching, deep-cut, thistlelike leaves, two feet long, shining dark green, are surmounted with tall, white, rose-tinged spikes. Give plants large pots with good drainage and full sun. Not hardy in the North where they need winter protection.

Asters. Handsome with starry blossoms for rich purple, lavender, rose, pink, and white autumn displays. Many varieties vary from nine inches to four or more feet. Plants need full sun and respond to feeding and watering, but are otherwise easy. They are best divided each spring.

Bearded Iris. Number one favorite, beloved for its exquisite blooms in rainbow colors. Hardy and easy to grow, spearlike leaves provide accent among other plants. Clumps need dividing every third year.

Chrysanthemums. Free-flowering and invaluable for the pot garden. With these alone, you can enjoy riotous color from August even to December. Grow your own or buy plants in bud from commercial growers. They move easily when in bloom, if you take care to keep them moist. After flowering, plant in garden or cold frame and give winter protection or discard the roots like annuals.

Daylilies or Hemerocallis. Thriving in hot and cold climates, in shade or full sun. Straplike foliage remains attractive all season. For warmer regions there are evergreen varieties. Trumpet flowers, mostly yellow and crimson, open over a long period, even though each bloom stays fresh but one day. The Greek name, hemerocallis, means “beautiful for a day.”

Delphinium. Regal plant with tall, stately spikes in shades of blue, purple, and white. Sow seed in February or March for flowering plants the same season or purchase seedlings in spring for large containers. Seed sown in June or July will bloom the following summer. Delphiniums need sun and staking up to their heads. Try some of the gorgeous Pacific Hybrids.

Hostas. These handsome perennials have broad leaves, green or variegated. Low growing types are ideal to edge large planters. Hardy, pest free and easy. Consider the August lily, with fragrant white bells in summer; Honey-bells, with tall spikes of purple flowers; and Thomas Hogg, with green leaves edged white.

Phlox. Dependable for bright color in July, August, and September. Thrives in sun or partial shade and needs plenty of water. Allowed to dry out, phlox wilts and the lower leaves turn brown. Comes in pink, salmon, rose, red, scarlet, lavender, purple, and white. If tips are pinched when plants are six to nine inches high, flower heads will be more numerous, though smaller.

Herbaceous perennials are valuable in the container garden. In planters, raised beds, and large boxes, they contribute greatly to the garden design with their distinctive foliage and attractive flowers. As a group, perennials are adapted to a variety of conditions, tolerating sun or shade, moist or dry locations. For the most part, they are hardy, but some require winter covering.

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=204865&ca=Gardening

About Gerald Mason
For Free Original PLR Articles please visit: http://www.bestplrarticles.com

An indoor herb garden grown by an aeroponic system is a rewarding experience for those looking to not only begin a wonderful new hobby but also craving fresh herbs to serve friends and family. You may not realize it but growing plants and herbs through aeroponic hydroponics offer a great deal of benefits. Aeroponic kits produce great tasting herbs that bring out mouth watering flavors of your cooking and also produce herbs with medicinal value, as well.

Aeroponic gardening is still relatively new and not many people are aware of it and its many benefits. One thing people do agree on is that once they learn more about it, they all agree it is an interesting process for growing plants without soil. An aeroponic system uses the environment to grow its plants. (more…)

There are various types of lavender however the three main types of lavender that are most popular are the English, French and Italian varieties. There are many varieties of lavender that have been hybridized which makes them quite easy to grow hardy. The only downside is that if you grow the seeds they will revert back to the original plant. Hybrid varieties of lavender have larger flowers so if you are after a lavender plant that looks good then a hybrid version is what you are looking to find.

If you are adding lavender to your herb garden for the purpose of harvesting the oil or doing other craft work then you need to plant English lavender is the perfect choice as it has a very strong scent. English lavender is without a doubt the most popular variety of lavender. English lavender is recognizable by its small compact bushy appearance, which normally reaches about three feet tall. It has very striking sliver leaves and small mauve flowers that appear at the end of the long stems. The flowers that appear on English lavender plants also come in shades of blue, white and pink as well as mauve. Gardeners will find the highest concentration of oil located in the flowers of the lavender plant. (more…)

If you are like me, I absolutely love the smell of fresh herbs. However, buying fresh herbs at the grocery store would often make my wallet cry, so I would pass them up. Often times I didn’t buy enough or they would spoil before I used them all. So like me, Container Herb Gardening can give you an abundant, readily available supply of fresh herbs. It doesn’t matter if your living quarters are small because you can put the containers inside in the kitchen within reach. Even next to the coffee pot.Growing herbs in containers is the perfect gift for gardening friends, as well as for cooking. Take into account these 3 tips for the successful container herb garden, for some flavorful and or smelly results.

Tip #1. Select the herbs you want to grow. Choose from basil, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, mints and dill. All are easy to grow in containers, require very little maintenance, and are adaptable for a wide variety of dishes. Plants such as lavender and yarrow spread quickly and can take up all your space, so these are ideal for container herb gardening in small batches. (more…)

Herbs are a great way to add flavor to your food. Fresh herbs will add even more taste, and the best way to have the freshest, most delicious herbs possible is to grow them yourself. You can grow herbs indoors or outdoors. I prefer growing them indoors because I can put them right in my kitchen and have them fresh and ready whenever I need them all year round. If you have a window in your kitchen, you have a perfect place to have herbs get lots of sun and grow right in front of your cooking.

When it’s time to start planting and you begin your garden, you fall upon an important question. What kind of herbs should you grow? Should you grow a large variety of many different kinds or just one or two kinds? Which herbs will grow the best? This depends on several factors that need to be taken into account.

How much space do you have and what kinds of pots and planters are you using? If you only have space for a couple of plants, you should only grow the herbs you will use the most. If you have pots, you can put one type of herb in each. If you have boxes, you will need to be careful to space different herb plants far enough apart. (more…)

Introduction

Thyme (pronounced /taim/) is a well known herb and is a Mediterranean native of the mint family, which is one of the most widely used herbs. Thyme is considered by many herbalists as the very nearly perfect useful herb. The name may refer to any or all members of the plant genus Thymus, common thyme, Lemon Thyme, Thymus vulgaris, and some other species that are used as culinary herbs or for medicinal purposes. It was thought that the spread of thyme throughout Europe was thanks to the Romans, as they used it to purify their rooms and to “give an aromatic flavour to cheese and liqueurs”.

Interestingly Thyme was also used as incense and placed on coffins during funerals as it was supposed to assure passage into the next life. It was also a favourite fairy plant which could make them invisible to humans!

Growing

Thyme is a perennial herb requiring full sun and well drained alkaline conditions. It is widely cultivated for its strong flavour, which is due to its content of thymol. The plant is essential in scented gardens as it has an agreeable aromatic smell and a warm pungent taste. (more…)

Herb gardening Is one of the most rewarding pastimes you will begin. I say will begin because by the time you finish reading this you WILL begin! You will need some basic information and knowledge about the herbs you choose to use and grow, but after that the actual process is easy and fast. The best thing is that after you work out what you need to do, it becomes a passion that lasts forever and, even better, it’s a real money saving hobby.

What you Need to Know About Herb Gardening
Basically you need to work out your seasonal needs. Choose the herbs you like or use most often in your cooking. The easiest way is to go to your kitchen shelf and look at what you have accumulated over the past and decide which ones you really use. Then, look up the growing requirements. You can do this on the Internet or go to your local nursery for free tips. Most plants are easy to grow, but will need a little attention and need replanting in spring.

Next you need to learn how to dry your herbs for storage and use during those times when fresh plants are unavailable. Here are my tips for drying herbs successfully:

• Cut off tops of the leafy varieties in midsummer.

(more…)

An indoor herb garden grown by an aerologic system is a rewarding experience for those looking to not only begin a wonderful new hobby but also craving fresh herbs to serve friends and family. You may not realize it but growing plants and herbs through aerologic hydroponics offer a great deal of benefits. Aerologic kits produce great tasting herbs that bring out mouth watering flavors of your cooking and also produce herbs with medicinal value, as well.

Aerologic gardening is still relatively new and not many people are aware of it and its many benefits. One thing people do agree on is that once they learn more about it, for more details visit to www.insomnia-battle.com they all agree it is an interesting process for growing plants without soil. An aerologic system uses the environment to grow its plants.

Aerologic kits used to grow herb gardens implement air and mist to grow its plants. It is a natural system for growing herbs from the comfort of your very own home which is great for people who don’t have the luxury of an outside garden. All you would need is the proper room, an aerologic fogger, aerologic pump, some seeds, and a little patience.

(more…)

If you’re not the type of person that wants to spend their time managing an elaborate fruit or vegetable garden, you might consider planting and maintaining an herb garden. While the product might not seem as significant, you’ll still enjoy the constant availability of fresh, delicious herbs to flavor your meals with.

First you’ll want to choose the herbs that you’ll plant. You might have a hard time doing this because of the huge scope of herbs available. But the best way to choose is to do what I did; just look at what you have in your kitchen. By planting your own collection of these herbs, you can save money on buying them from the grocery store while having the added benefit of freshness. Some of the herbs you might start with include rosemary, sage, basil, dill, mint, chives, and parsley among others.

When choosing an area to put your herb garden, you should remember that the soil should have extremely good drainage. If the dirt gets watered and stays completely saturated, you have no chance of ever growing a healthy plant. One of the best ways to fix the drainage problem is to dig a foot deep in the soil, and put a layer of crushed rocks down before replacing all the soil. This will allow all that water to escape, thus saving your plants. (more…)

This article is dedicated to planning a successful herb garden. If you have planted herb gardens in previous years this will help to revamp and refresh one already have.

Go to your Garden Center and see what herbs are available and suitable for your area. This is important if you are planning an outside herb garden. If you are planning an inside herb garden, since you control the atmosphere, you can choose whatever you like.

My suggestion here would be to select a theme for your herb garden. You can plant them for cooking herbs, cosmetic herbs, medicinal herbs or fragrance herbs use. Be realistic about your plants. Check your whole property to find the right spot. Look for sun or shade, type of soil, and how well the spot drains. These are all very import for picking the best place for your herb garden. (more…)

Nothing beats the flavor of fresh herbs added to your cooking. But if you’ve been to the supermarket lately, you’ve seen the prices – as much $5 for a small pack of herbs! – way out of the question if you’re a poor secretary trying to cut down on the food budget. For the same price, you can purchase a small plant that will provide you with the same fresh herbs year round.

Don’t worry – you don’t need a green thumb to grown your own herbs. All you need is a sunny spot, some water and a little tender, loving care. If you have garden space, you can grow herbs outdoors seasonally and dry the leftovers to keep throughout the winter. Or, if you have a small windowsill or sunny place in your home, you can grow herbs indoors in containers.

The first step is to pick the herbs you’d like to grow. I like to grow basil and oregano for Italian recipes and cilantro for Mexican dishes. And while I do have a garden outdoors during the summer, I grow a small container of each of these herbs inside so that I have fresh herbs available any time. Once you’ve identified your herbs, search online for their growth habits. A plant that grows three feet tall probably isn’t suited to an indoor container, and a plant that requires full sun to grow will likely do better outdoors (unless you have an extremely sunny window). (more…)

Some of the most famous and tastiest herbs in the world come from Italy. Some of the best cuisines come from Italy and are well known in part for their herbs. Growing your own herbs in an Italian herb garden provides a massive quantity of potential.

Basil is a well know Italian herb and useful in many Italian recipes. Basil will not only add flavor to many Italian cuisines, it is useful in the garden to other plants. Planting basil next to your peppers and tomatoes will actually improve their flavor. Plus, basil will also keep at bay those pesky flies and mosquitoes.

Parsley is a relatively hard herb plant to grow. It is useful not only in Italian dishes but many other types of cuisines. Many generations ago before their were breath mints it was found that eating fresh, raw parsley after a meal eliminated the bad breath left over from enjoying a savory cuisine. The tradition arose to serve parsley on a small dish after the meal. The custom lives today by using parsley as a garnish on an assortment of meals. (more…)

Yes, the growing season has been lovely, relaxing and rejuvenating. Now fall is fast approaching. So what does a good herb gardener do right about now?

This is the time you can spring into action, harvesting the herbs you have, preserving them for winter — and transplanting those you can to keep them growing next year.

Propagating New Plants
After successfully growing herbs all summer, you’re ready to create new plants. There are three main methods you can do this: ·dividing the roots of the existing plants ·taking cuttings of the herbs in your gardens ·healing in or layering.

Root Division
This is a simple approach to creating more herbs. With a spade or shovel, work the roots loose from a clump of the densely growing herbs. Take this grouping out of the ground and separate the plants, starting at the roots. You want to do this rather carefully. (more…)

Herbs have been companions of man for many, many centuries. You have seen the many uses to which herbs can be put, accompanying and serving man through his life.

Herb garden plants thrive not only outside in the garden, but year after year they reveal their undefinable ability to grow to one’s heart. The variety of fragrances, the display of brilliant colors, the pride of their majestic growth, the surrounding liveliness of humming insects, all these imponderables and more make lasting impressions upon the soul of the observant grower.

Herbs are classified as tender annuals (like basil, marjoram, borage, nasturtium), as Hardy annuals (like chamomile, heart’s ease), as Biennials (like clary sage, angelica, mullein), as Tender Perennials (like rosemary, curry plant) and as Hardy Perennials (like lavender, sage, hyssop, chives). (more…)

If you enjoy cooking or gardening, or perhaps both, you should consider growing your own herbs at home. There are literally hundreds of herbs that you can grow yourself. Not only do fresh herbs make a wonderful addition to a kitchen garden, but they can also be attractive plants to weave in with other flowers, perennials, and bushes.

When considering what types of herbs to grow, first ask yourself which herbs you use the most in cooking. Consult your recipe box; are there any particular herbs that you routinely buy fresh at the grocery store? If so, these should be your first choices. Also remember that fresh herbs will taste far better than dried seasonings purchased in little bottles. While you may not care for the taste of dried dillweed, you may find that fresh dill is a real treat. When it comes to growing herbs, don’t limit yourself. They don’t require a lot of space, so start with a variety and see which ones you like best. (more…)

Herbs are Medicinal Plants whose products have Medicinal properties. These have been used since ancient times to treat various diseases of the Human beings. These offer natural remedies and as such do not have any side effects.

We have many Herbs that are used extensively used in our Medicinal System and Blessed Thistle is one of them. This Herb helps in strengthening the Heart and Lungs and it can help to treat many disorders that inflict the Human Hearts. It is found to have extensive Powers in increasing Circulation.

Burdock Root is yet another important Herb that that is an excellent Blood purifier and cleanser. It is known to heal all kinds of Skin disorders and diseases like Skin blemishes. It is well known for its power to treat Arthritis & Rheumatism and it is a boon to Millions of People suffering from acute rheumatic pains. In addition to this Herbal Plant has the Power to regulate the functioning of the Kidney. The Capsicum or Cayenne with the scientific name of capsicum frutescens is known for its medicinal Power of its Fruits. This obtained from Chili peppers is highly nutritious rich in Vitamin C and B Complex. It is also rich in Iron, Calcium, and Phosphorus. This is a rich source of Vitamin A and is used in Condiments to aid in good digestion and is a good Blood purifier. (more…)

Herbs are the wonder Plants from Nature, and have enormous Medicinal Values. These medicinal Powers are found in different portions of the Plant namely their leaves, bark, berries, roots, gums, seeds, stems and Flowers. The use and importance of these wonder plants have been studied by our ancestors thousands of years ago, and in various ancient Civilizations we have well defined Medical Systems treating all types of ailments using Herbal medicines. (more…)

Herbs are plants and their Products that can be used as Medicines. There are a wide variety of Herbal preparations that can be used to cure a range of illnesses. The use of herbs for treatment of diseases and ailments date very early in History and is the clear forerunner of the Modern Medicine.

We can use herbs for the benefits of their Medicinal and therapeutic value, so this is called Herbal Medicine. Substances related to inorganic Compounds can be found in Herbal Plants and when they are consumed by a Person they react as a Medicine and give relief to diseases.
From ancient times the methodology of Herbal Medicines was used by our Ancestors. There are many evidences for how they used these Herbal Medicines. Even in the modern times also this plays a great role in People’s medicines. Our Ancestors also discovered the other benefits from Herbs like Cure for diseases, food, shelter and clothing. (more…)

For container gardening ideas, scan the internet, the library or a bookstore. The challenge is to come up with a lovely container garden plan. There are a widespread collection of containers available for your container garden. These range in size from small-scale house-plant pots to sizeable boxes and planters. Equally varied are the materials from which they are made. These include wood, glass, clay, aluminum, bamboo, straw, plastic, fiberglass, terra cotta, tin, cast iron, zinc, copper, and brass, each with select advantages and disadvantages. What you choose will depend on availability, price, background, and attraction not to mention the characteristics of the gardening pots.

Here are some container gardening ideas. In addition to run-of-the-mill circular pots and tubs, there are modern and ultra-modern forms such as square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, and octagonal. Also eligible are old iron kitchen pots, kettles, pails, jugs, casks, vases, crocks, jam tubs, barrels and nail kegs, Japanese fish tubs, aged sinks, bathtubs, bamboo soy tubs. There are novelty containers such as driftwood, wheelbarrows, donkey carts, spinning wheels and boxes attached to a roadside mail container. There are also bird cages, decorative well heads, animal figures, and Strawberry jars. Woven baskets may be used to conceal unattractive containers. Even tar paper pots, handled by garden centers and florists are worthy if painted or veiled to upgrade their exterior. Any of these can be used in your container gardening ideas. (more…)