Herbs are easy to grow and will only require little effort. You can plant several types of herbs in your garden. An herb garden will provide you with fresh plants to make your meals tasty. Let’s learn how to start an herb garden for beginners.
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What Is An Herb Garden For Beginners
An herb garden for beginners is a great project, especially during this Covid19 outbreak because many people are spending their time at home. Herbs are suitable for beginners who have never had their hands-on farming.
With proper materials and garden equipment, you can easily set up an herb garden for beginners. Herbs don’t need much space, and you can either grow them indoors or outdoors.
There are also a variety of options for herb gardens for beginners. Balconies offer great spaces for growing herbs. You can quickly start a balcony herb garden if you have a balcony.
Hydroponic herb gardens are also quick and straightforward for beginners. Hydroponic is a technique where you grow your plants’ roots directly in water. There are several herbs you can easily grow in water including basil, oregano and rosemary.
All you will need is a container, water, nutrient mix solution, and a medium. You will use the medium to offer physical support to the plant.
Want to grow herbs quickly? Check out our recommendations for The Fastest Growing Herbs For Home Gardens.
Growing Herbs Indoors Vs. Outdoors
Whether to grow indoors or outdoors will depend on the type of herbs and the gardener’s preferences. Some herbs will do well indoors, while others will thrive outdoors.
Growing Herbs Indoors
Growing herbs indoors is the best option for those who have limited outdoor space. If you have limited time to dedicate to an outdoor garden, indoor is also the better option.
If you choose to grow indoors, then you will need containers for the herb garden. Herb gardens in pots is a standard method.
Another benefit is that you can grow herbs indoors all year round. However, you will need to provide the same conditions as most outdoor herbs. Ensuring that indoor conditions are similar to outdoor is more challenging.
Herbs growing indoors will require at least six hours of sunlight every day. If sunlight is not adequate, then you will need to provide some artificial light.
Ensure that you use the correct size of containers. Small containers may deny your herbs the ample growth space that they require. Containers for herb gardens should not be less than six inches in diameter.
The containers should also have adequate holes for drainage. Place the pots close so that they create their humidity and air circulation.
Growing Herbs Outdoors
Outdoors is the best herb gardening for beginners. You can plant herbs anywhere in any garden. They thrive well in a variety of soils.
Outdoor gardens allow you to combine herbs with other crops. This combination can be of benefits to the different plants and crops. A good example is growing rosemary along with other plants. In addition to being a medicinal herb, rosemary helps deter various pests such as carrot flies, silverfish, and clothes flies.
Another benefit of an outdoor herb garden for beginners is that you don’t require containers and supplementary lighting. Ensure that you space your herbs correctly to ensure they get the proper amount of sunlight and air circulation. Just like herbs growing indoors, herbs growing outdoors will require soil with good drainage.
The major downside to having an outdoor herb garden for beginners is that you will not be able to grow your herbs all year round. The outdoor weather conditions are challenging to regulate. During the winter, the temperature is too low, and sunlight may be inadequate to support healthy herbs.
Pests and diseases are difficult to control in outdoor gardens. Outdoor gardens expose the herbs to insects and other pests.
Best Herbs For Beginners
It is advisable to start simple if it is the first time you are trying to grow herbs. Here are some herbs that are good for an herb garden for beginners.
Basil
Basil is relatively easy to grow and prefers sunny locations. The soil should be rich in nutrients and well-drained.
Mint
Mint is best for herb gardens in pots because it has an aggressive growth rate. The pots should be above the ground. Mint is best suited for strong sunlight though it can handle shade.
Oregano
Oregano requires full sunshine and good drainage. The herb has small, flavorful leaves. It is also tender and can’t handle winter weather.
Parsley
Parsley thrives best in partly shaded areas. The soil should be well-drained and moist.
Thyme
Thyme grows best in less water. Ensure that this herb has exposure to full sunlight. The soil should also be well-drained.
Rosemary
Rosemary requires a cool climate, plenty of sunlight, and moist soil. It is advisable to plant rosemary indoors during winter.
Tips For Setting Up A Beginner Herb Garden
The following tips will assist you in setting up an herb garden for beginners.
Tip 1: Choose The Best Herb For Beginners
If you are starting, begin with less demanding herbs. Start simple and grow herbs that will not frustrate you. Consider one of the herbs we have listed.
Tip 2: Prepare Your Soil
If you are growing your herbs on soil, ensure that you prepare the soil correctly. Most herbs require well-drained soil. Also, ensure that the soil has the proper nutrients. Consider using fertilizer to enrich the soil.
Tip 3: Correct Containers
Indoor farming will require you to have containers. Ensure that the containers have holes to drain water. The containers should also be of the correct size to give your herbs ample space to grow.
Tip 4: Ideal Light
Most common herbs need at least six hours of sunlight to thrive well. If sunlight is not adequate, ensure that you provide additional artificial lighting.
Tip 5: Right Temperature
Most herbs will grow best in temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are growing indoors, it will be easier to control the weather. However, if you have an outdoor garden, it will be a challenge, and you might have to determine what season to plant.
Tip 6: Choose Your Location
Some home gardeners prefer to grow plants indoors while others prefer outdoors. Choose a plan that will work best for you. The types of herbs you grow will also determine the right location for you.
Tip 7: Get An Herb Growing Kit
Herb growing kits make herb gardening for beginners pretty simple. The kits come complete with all that you need to set up an herb garden for beginners.
Best Herb Growing Kits For Beginners
Herb growing kits come complete with all you need to start an herb garden for beginners. The following kits are available on Amazon.
Loako Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit
Everything you need to grow herbs is in the kit. The kit contains:
- Biodegradable bamboo fiber pots.
- Herb seeds.
- Nutrient-enriched soil pellets.
- An instruction booklet.
You can grow basil, parsley, cilantro, and chives with this kit. The kit comes in a wooden box and is easy to use.
Home Grown Bamboo Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit
This kit comes with five types of herb seeds, reusable bamboo pots, soil, plant makers, trays, and instructions. It is ideal for beginners.
The kit is suitable for both indoor and outdoor gardens. The seeds are non-GOM and with a high germination rate.
Setting up an herb garden for beginners is an activity that can keep you busy, especially during this time that people are spending most of their time at home. There are various types of herbs that you can grow either indoors or outdoors. Set up an herb garden and enjoy fresh, tasty, and delicious herbs.
How To Care For Herbs
Herbs need regular and constant care to flourish. You must water your herbs on a consistent schedule. Ensure that they get the ideal light and temperature. Make sure that the soil is well-drained.
Harvesting your herbs is also essential. Harvest them often to spur new growth.
FAQs – Herb Garden For Beginners
One of the fastest and easiest ways to start a herb garden for beginners is with a herb growing kit. Growing kits come fully equipped with everything a beginner needs to grow herbs at home. Best of all, you can grow nearly every herb available.
Some of the easiest herbs to grow, especially for beginners include basil, mint, and thyme. These herbs grow quickly and take little effort.