How to Grow Medicinal Herbs
Teas, potions and poultices made with medicinal herbs are used to treat ailments in humans and animals. Medicinal herbs have a long history of cultivation and can be grown for fun, profit and medicinal reasons. More than 2,000 herbs are considered medicinal, so doing research to find herbs that do best in your agricultural zone and soil is important for success. However, most medicinal herbs are easy to grow in average and well-drained garden soil. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Medicinal herb plants
- Shovel
- Rake
- Compost
- Organic granulated fertilizer
- Mulch
- Source of water
Instructions
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How to Grow Medicinal Herbs
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1
Locate a well-drained area in the garden that receives at least six hours of sun a day. Some herbs have showy blooms, such as the rose, and others sprawl and become leggy, such as wormwood, so plant in an appropriate location considering the growth habit of each plant. Also, if you are planning on the frequent harvesting of plant parts, plant closer to your house. Plant herbs with similar watering requirements together.
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2
Clean area of all weeds, grasses and rocks and rake area until smooth.
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3
Spread 1/2 inch of compost and granulated organic fertilizer at the recommended rate over the planting area and gently work into the top 3 inches of soil.
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4
Dig holes for the herb plants, leaving enough room for the plants to mature without creating competition for sun and nutrients from other plants. If growing from seed, start them in seed trays or cups with drain holes in the bottom. Put individual plants in the garden after they have two sets of true leaves.
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5
Place the plants in the ground at the same level they were planted in pots or in a previous location. Back-fill the planting hole with soil, compost and fertilizer mix. Add water to the back-fill to eliminate air pockets around plant roots.
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6
Place a 3-inch layer of mulch over the entire area, leaving a 1-inch space around the herb plants to prevent the buildup of excess moisture around the plants.
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Tips & Warnings
Some medicinal herbs, such as lavender, are sensitive to excessively high or low Ph levels in the soil, so a soil test is recommended to find out if any other amendments, such as agricultural lime, need to be added to the soil before planting. Water plants during dry spells. Fence your herb garden to discourage neighborhood animals.
Ingesting any unfamiliar plant material can be fatal to humans and pets. Allergic reactions can occur to sap and pollen of some herbs. Some medicinal herbs, such as nettle or epazote, can quickly become invasive and noxious weeds.
References
- Photo Credit Jim Gober
