We Grow Herbs
How to Properly Grow Herbs
Herbs can be grown directly in garden beds, but also in various containers both outdoors and indoors. It depends only on our home conditions whether we offer them a sunny terrace, balcony, or windowsill.
According to the growing location, we also choose the container – we can use a regular clay pot, which is definitely not a step backward in the case of herbs. It suits herbs better than various plastic containers. We grow herbs either directly from seeds, or we bring home a seedling or larger plant. We definitely don't leave it in the plastic container in which we bought it. Herbs generally require a sunny location, plenty of light, and permeable soil, so it's essential that the container has a drainage hole.
Herbs don't tolerate waterlogging, we don't leave them standing in moisture for longer periods. Slightly heavier soil is tolerated by our domestic mints, lemon balm, calendula. Mediterranean species such as lavender, rosemary, tarragon, as well as various thymes, savories, wild thymes need really lighter, permeable soils. They tolerate even dry periods well, but moisture will kill them. Therefore, choosing the right substrate is also very important.
How to Choose the Right Substrate
Literally a novelty of the year, we could call it a special substrate for herbs and green herbs. It consists of peat, well-matured bark compost, and sand, which guarantees lightness and easy permeability. The substrate contains exclusively natural organic fertilizers, which are ideal from the nutritional perspective of herbs. We must not forget that herbs are intended for consumption, and with ill-considered application of mineral fertilizers, unwanted substances can then also be contained in the greens on our plate. The substrate has an adjusted pH so it's not too acidic, and its composition also supports the formation of essential oils and other aromatic substances.
The substrate can be used for sowing and further cultivation of a wide range of herbs – mint, basil, savory, thyme, lavender, chervil, coriander, and is also very suitable for green herbs – for example, curly parsley, lovage, chives. We water herbs regularly but moderately. Excessive watering and excessive fertilization not only have a bad effect on overall health, but also reduce the content of aromatic substances for which we grow plants. From herbs, we then use individual sprigs in the kitchen or cut them back.
Tip: Don't forget to use herbs in the kitchen, because they are excellent with meat and as a seasoning for many other dishes. If you're interested in how to grow herbs, try for example a growing guide, which is available for free.