Things to Consider When Designing Your Herb Garden
Growing herbs is a simple task that will not take much of your effort and time. That is, if you simply plant them without taking into account herb garden design. Herbs can basically thrive anywhere, either indoor or outdoor.
Do Some Planning
Your plants may be ready but your plans are not. So prior to digging and sowing, a concrete plan of your herb garden design is needed. If you have a difficult time visualizing your garden, take note of the following guidelines to give you an idea. Your primary determinant in herb garden design is your time. Do you have enough time to maintain your plants? Also consider your budget, how much money you can use up for caring for your herbs. The growing zone, amount of sunlight available in your area and the type of soil you have will help you decide what plants to include. Your availability will help set the size of your garden. You also determine if you raise potted herbs or plant them in soil. Likewise, decide if you want to plant annual, biennial, perennial or mix.
For starters, a 6 by 8 size of garden will be most appropriate. A simple design will make it easier for aspiring herbalists to maintain. Choose a size that is manageable and convenient enough for you, and make sure you enjoy working on it. Otherwise, you defeat the purpose of growing your own garden.
Two Approaches
Herb garden design can either be formal or informal. Informal type allows more freedom for the herbs to disseminate on its own, and it is more disorganized than formal type. Also, it requires relatively less upkeep. In the formal type, there is a specific measurement of the plot, and there are symmetrical divisions. Placement and sizes are calculated, even the shape of the garden.
It requires more time and effort to maintain a formal herb garden design. There is careful planning about what to plant in each section, what herb should go with this herb etc. The placement of herbs from middle to the border is determined by the height and size of herbs. In a regular setting, parsley and purple basil are often found in the border of the plot because they make a good border design. Bricks and stones can be added to the layout, for added effect. Tending an herb garden may be a difficult task, but it will also give you a great sense of satisfaction.
A graphing paper can be used to layout your herb garden design. Just equate one square of the graphing paper to the actual one square foot of the garden, and start planning what herb to cultivate. Take into consideration immovable objects such as trees and fences when making your layout.
Good Design Is Beneficial
My first attempt at herb gardening involved putting all my efforts and attention towards making sure that my herbs were planted properly. Maintaining the herbs health and getting them to grow well for a delicious harvest. But after just a few months I realised that my herb garden really did not look very attractive, and after the first year I decided to start again this time making sure that I create a herb garden that is aesthetically pleasing as well as being beneficial in so many useful ways. My second attempt was much more successful, I enjoyed just being around in the garden much more and it made working on my gardening very satisfying.
