Simply Herbs: Getting the Garden that’s Right for You

A person could go crazy trying to figure out which herbs to put in her herb garden…which ones prefer sun or shade…which ones prefer dry or moist soil…which ones grow in which zones…It’s overwhelming!  So, as with everything else I do, I keep it simple...really simple.

To help you keep it simple as well, here are some suggestions for designing and planting the herb garden that’s right for you.  And yes, you can do it; and yes, it really is simple; and yes, it is extremely enjoyable.

      1. Choose herbs that you like.  Sounds easy enough, but many people don’t take the time to think about what herbs they actually like.  Don’t be tempted to purchase whatever happens to be on the shelf at the Big Box Garden Center.  Ask yourself: What herbs do I use in my cooking?  What herbs do I like to smell?  What herbs do I find attractive?

       To start with, only choose about FOUR herbs (maybe three for cooking and one for fragrance).  You can add more later, but there is no need to get overwhelmed when you're just starting out.

      2. Choose herbs that you can easily grow.  Do a little research (key word: little) just to make sure the herbs you like can be grown in your zone.  (If they are sold at your local garden center, then chances are they will grow in your zone.)  I suggest starting with perennial herbs; again, that’s because I like to keep it simple and don’t want to replant every year.

      3. Choose a location.  I always recommend incorporating utilitarian plants into the permanent decorative landscaping, and the same is true for herbs.  However, you may be happier having herbs all together in one designated garden.  If you are interested in using your herbs for culinary purposes, choose a location close to the kitchen.  Personally, I had zero luck growing herbs in an indoor container, so I wouldn't recommend that if you're trying to keep it simple.  Also, most herbs prefer full sun, with only some tolerating shade.  Just make a note of that during your research.

4. Plan your garden.  Once you have decided on about four herbs you would like to grow, think about the placement of each herb based on its size.  Put taller herbs toward the back so that they don’t hide the smaller, low-growing plants.

5. Acquire and plant.  Acquire your herbs in one of two ways: transplant a friend’s herbs or purchase plants from a garden center (this second option is probably best for a new gardener).  Plant herbs according to the instructions, add some compost to the soil, mulch (I use pine straw), organic fertilize, and water.  Keep the herbs well watered (every day or two in the beginning), and enjoy!

Composting: Just the Basics, Please

Why should you compost?  Because you can reduce landfill waste...save money...know what you're putting in your soil...grow better plants...and most importantly, have a lot of fun!

When I first started composting, I kept reading that I couldn't really mess it up...well, actually, yeah, I can!  It took me about three years to get it figured out and have usable compost.  So let me save you some trouble and give you the basics to getting it right the first time.

The Bin

First, get a compost bin.  Buy one, make one, whatever...just get one.  A bin doesn't aid in the composting process, but it makes the compost seem more manageable...organized...and neater looking.  I recommend building your own two-compartment bin with one side being twice the size of the other.

The smaller side of the bin will be devoted to waste.  Just let it pile up; no turning necessary.

"Waste Side"

The larger side of the bin will be devoted to compost.  Once the waste side gets full (or you get eager to compost), move the waste to one side of the compost side.  Turn the compost over about every 2-3 days, flipping from one side to the other of the compost side of the bin.  I recommend investing in a quality, American-made pitch fork.  It will be well worth the investment.

"Compost Side" (Turn compost from one side to the other every 2-3 days.)

The bin should not have a bottom; your compost needs to be in contact with the ground.  Depending on your situation, you may have to enclose your bin to keep critters out.  (When we got the new puppy, I had to use some hardware cloth and garden fencing to make a temporary front.)  Just make sure air can still flow through the bin.

The Logistics

Location: You will want your bin close enough to the kitchen for convenience, but far enough away to avoid odor or pests.  Mine is about 20 feet from the back door, which is perfect for my situation.

Collection: You have two options for collecting kitchen waste--a bowl/sack on the counter that is taken to the bin after each meal or a container with a lid that is taken to the bin every other day or so. Please DO NOT waste money on purchasing a container with a charcoal filter because it is simply unnecessary and, in my opinion, doesn't provide any of the advertised benefits.  I use a large butter tub with a lid and take out my waste every other day.

Duration: The time it takes for the waste to turn to compost depends on a lot of factors, one of which is the size of the waste materials.  For example, apples take a lot longer to compost than grapes.  Just keep turning, and eventually, it will all turn into "black gold."  Sometimes, my compost still has large pieces that I will just leave in the bin when I take out my compost for use.

What to Compost

The hardest part of composting is getting the right carbon/nitrogen ratio (about 50/50).

Carbon materials (think brown) include dried leaves, paper, cardboard, straw, sawdust, dried grass, dryer lint.

Nitrogen materials (think green) include grass cuttings, green leaves, fruit/vegetable trimmings, weeds, old flowers, coffee grounds.

You want about half of each type of material.  So if you dump in a whole bunch of grass cuttings, you'll need to lay off adding other nitrogens and add a whole bunch of carbons instead.  As you get familiar with your compost, you will more easily be able to see what it needs, so don't let the 50/50 ratio stress you out.  Remember, composting is fun!

Materials to Avoid: chemically-treated materials, meat, dairy products, fat/grease, carnivore manure (cat, dog, human--yuck!), non-biodegradable items such as plastic.

Happy Composting!  And as always, post your comments below to let me know how it goes.

Something about Strawberries

There's just something about strawberries that signals the start of summer, and growing my own organic strawberries is one of my greatest joys.  I could spend this entire post describing the pride I feel after harvesting a meal's worth of perfect berries or the pleasure I get when the boys pick some berries and toss them in their mouths for a snack just because they were walking by and saw the berries yearning to be picked.  But instead, I'm going to give you some sound advice for growing your OWN organic strawberries so you can experience the joy for yourself!

1. First off, there are different types of strawberries, so choose wisely.  I started with two strawberry plants picked up on a whim at Lowe's.  For two years, I wondered why my berries were so tiny and my mom's were so hefty.  Alas, mom informed me that I had simply purchased a type of strawberry different from her grocery store-worthy fruit.

So I got several plants from her, and was soon reassured that the tiny berries were not an indication of my gardening skills.  This is a good time to note that strawberry plants produce "daughter" plants that have to be pulled up and transplanted.  Ask around and find someone willing to give you his/her daughter plants for FREE (or at least in exchange for digging them up yourself)!  A family of four will be provided with some snacks and side dishes for about 6 weeks with about 10 plants.  That's a good number to start with if you're a beginning gardener.  Later if you want to make jam and have berries to share, go ahead and plant a huge patch!

2. After selecting the type of strawberry you want, select a good spot for planting.  I have had the best luck with full sun, even in the heat of Alabama.  Consider using strawberries as part of your decorative landscaping.  They are beautiful plants that stay green year-around.

3. When I plant practically anything, including strawberries, I add compost to my soil, top with mulch (for strawberries, use pine straw), add a little organic fertilizer, and water well.

4. As with all perennials, the first year is the hardest.  Keep those babies watered and free of pests.  The biggest pest problem I have had is SLUGS.  I tried insecticidal soap...Nope!  I tried copper barriers...Nope!  I tried crushed egg shells...Nope!  I tried used coffee grounds...Maybe!  I have had less slug trouble this year, but is it because of the coffee grounds?  I'm not really sure.  But it's worth a try for you (if you drink coffee and have grounds readily available.)  Just sprinkle the grounds all around the plants.  Reapply as often as you have grounds available.  However, as with all organic gardening, be willing to share a little.

5. A final note: I stick small "tomato" cages in my strawberry plants to keep the dog from trampling through them.  If birds become a problem, you will have to throw some aviary netting over your plants as well.

Post your comments below to let me know how it goes!