About Growing Flowers & Herbs

Some herbs, such as chamomile, chives and basil, actually sprout their own flowers.

Flowers and herbs add beauty to your garden, color to your home and flavor to your meals. Fortunately, you don't need a green thumb to successfully grow them. With a little planning and care, you can grow flowers and herbs that you will be proud to display on your table -- or serve in your favorite recipes.

Planning Your Garden

If you already have a garden, select the flowers and herbs you want to grow based on the existing conditions. If you are creating a new plot, choose a site that fulfills your plants' requirements for light and water. A sunny spot is generally best, as most herbs require a lot of sun. Flowers, depending on the variety, can tolerate full sun, partial shade or full shade.

Preparing Your Soil

Preparing a rich, fertile soil bed filled with nourishing organic matter is the first step in ensuring the healthy growth of flowers and herbs. Start by cultivating the soil to a depth of about 1 to 1 1/2 feet. Break up small clumps and remove any rocks. If there is only a thin layer of topsoil, remove it before cultivating the dirt underneath. Mix organic matter, such as peat and compost, into the dirt. Add sand for better drainage if the soil is particularly dense. Finally, spread the topsoil on top of the prepared garden plot.

Growing Flowers

Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the average last frost date so that your seedlings will be ready to transplant about two weeks after the last spring frost. Plant small container plants at this time, too. Water your garden down and plant seedlings in the ground to the same depth that they were in their containers. Keep plants moist, but not soaked -- and check regularly until they are established. When planting seeds directly into the ground, follow seed packet directions closely. Do not plant seeds too deep. Mulch lightly around your plants to prevent weed growth and to retain moisture. After flowers bloom, deadhead to encourage additional flower growth. Simply pinch the spent blooms off just below the flower head.

Growing Herbs

Grow herbs from seeds, starting them indoors early enough so that they will be ready to transplant into the garden after the last spring frost. Sow herbs that do not transplant well, such as anise, dill, fennel and coriander, directly into the ground after the danger of frost has passed. If you do not want your herbs to take over the garden, plant them in large pots or galvanized tubs. Use a good quality potting soil and containers that allow for drainage. Fertilize your potted herbs for optimum performance. Herbs grow well inside, too, when placed on a sunny windowsill. Harvesting herbs at their peak flavor requires a little experience. Most herbs are ready for harvest just when the flowers are beginning to open. Mint is the exception: its leaves contain the most oil when its flowers are in full bloom.

Companion Planting

Planting certain plants together to benefit one or both plants is called companion planting. Herbs are particularly good companion plants. Chamomile, for example, is known for its ability to revive struggling plants and encourage other plants to produce more essential oils. It is especially effective planted next to mint, cabbages and onions. Basil and tomatoes, a classic combination, also help each other grow better in the garden. Marigolds are a well-known pest deterrent.

Keeping a Journal

Take notes on which flowers and herbs flourished in your garden and which seemed to struggle. If the plant is a perennial, moving it to a more favorable location in the garden may solve the problem. Another option is to mark it off as a lesson learned and simply try a different plant.

References

• Savvy Gardener; Growing Herbs at Home; Ray R. Rothenberger
• Gardenstuff: Companion Planting
• Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service; Growing Herbs; Kate Copsey and B. Rosie Lerner
• National Gardening Association; Herb Gardening Today; Barbara Martin; 2003
• Home-garden-ideas.net: Growing Flowers
• Landscape-America: Growing Flowers

Resources

• West Virginia University Extension Service: Growing Herbs in the Home Garden
• Flower Gardening Tips: Flower Gardening Methods
• Flower Gardening Tips: Flower Planting Tips
• The Garden Central: Four Important Steps for Growing Flowers