How to Create Herb & Spice Gardens
Creating an herb and spice garden in your own backyard can provide you with the freshest ingredients to flavor your food. Fortunately, many herbs are grown simply and easily and do not take up much space. For instance, basil, cilantro and parsley are herbs that can be grown either in the ground or in containers, and require minimal care. When you grow your own herbs, you control their surroundings, maintaining an organic and pesticide-free environment. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Create an area to grow your plants. In raised beds, the soil is typically of a better quality and drains more freely than in-ground gardens. To make a raised bed, outline your garden with rocks, bricks or pieces of wood. Pour high-quality garden soil into the bed until it is completely filled.
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Pay attention to the spacing requirements on each of the herbs you intend to plant. For instance, rosemary and Italian parsley can grow quite large, and should be spaced a few feet away from other plants. Basil needs about 1 to 2 feet of space, and lavender should be planted at least 2 feet away from other plants.
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Dig a hole that is the size of the plant's roots and place the roots inside. Cover the roots with soil. Garlic and ginger should be planted about 1 inch down in the ground. If growing from seed, read the plant's packet for sowing instructions --- some seeds are simply placed on top of the soil; others are buried into the ground until they are just covered with the dirt, such as basil and dill.
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Plant aggressive herbs and spices in pots. Mint, for example, grows fast and will overwhelm an entire garden if allowed. To avoid this problem, plant your mint inside a pot. Thyme and lavender also grow well in pots.
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Tips & Warnings
Research the requirements for the herbs and spices you desire to grow. For instance, some herbs prefer full sun, whereas others will die if given that much. Plan your garden's location around the needs of the plants.
References
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