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Herbal Wisdom: Planning a large herb garden from scratch - hints? ![Next Topic Next Topic](icons/icon_go_right.gif) |
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
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935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 07:54:08 AM
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Any hints from those with herb gardens? I'm reclaiming some of my front yard for a large herb garden and tomato patch (only spot that gets enough sun) and I was thinking of doing a fairly formal looking herb garden since it will be in the front yard. Probably something 9 x 9 or so.
Kimberly Ann Farmgirl Sister #225 Crochet Geek, Newbie Fiddler, Would-be Farmer, Backyard Chicken Rancher, Eager Podcaster http://beesinourbonnetsintheburbs.blogspot.com/ Podcasts at http://thefannyfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
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4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 08:11:38 AM
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Are you looking for herbs that you can eat or more decorative ones that flower? I have raised beds. Last season I have 4 - 4X4 beds. I tried to put all my herbs in one bed and that was REALLY hard. They very so much in their sizes and some spread and took over others and some seemed to get lost in the shuffle. This year I am selling in the farmers market so my 4 beds will be for the herbs. I am doing 2 herbs per bed. I will be growing 8 different ones. Thyme, Cilantro, Basil, Parsley, Oregano, Chives, and two others that have escaped me right now. I also planted rosemary across the front of my house. It grows year round here so that is nice. I also have a seperate place were I am growing lavender. I've seen a lot of nice "Formal" layouts on the web though.
Farmgirl Sister #17 Blog www.eggsandherbs.com
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
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935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 08:30:43 AM
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I'm going for edibles mainly. If they flower that will be a fringe benefit. I'll be doing raised beds too because I don't want to try to remove the grass sod - too hard on my hands - plus the soil isn't any good anyway. I was going to get cottage stones, since I have those in the front for other garden beds, and place them in a circle in the center of my front lawn. The downside to that is that I did want a garden that I could walk through, place a chair, etc. but I think the raised bed will be the best for my circumstances.
Kimberly Ann Farmgirl Sister #225 Crochet Geek, Newbie Fiddler, Would-be Farmer, Backyard Chicken Rancher, Eager Podcaster http://beesinourbonnetsintheburbs.blogspot.com/ Podcasts at http://thefannyfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
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4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 1:52:48 PM
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Yeah I love my raised beds. I just built mine out of 2x8 untreated lumber. Fairly inexpensive and super easy. I am adding a ton more beds this year!
Farmgirl Sister #17 Blog www.eggsandherbs.com
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
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5602 Posts
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Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 2:01:19 PM
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Oh Kimberly Ann, I love herb gardens! I'm going to try a raised bed or six this year as well! Just a small warning...when I lived near Seattle I planted a bunch of spearmint and the stuff took over my herb bed! It can get a bit wild in good moisture =) I haven't figured out yet how to grow herbs in North Idaho, but I'll keep trying.
Annika Farmgirl & sister #13
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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lulu
True Blue Farmgirl
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240 Posts
Connie
Geuda Springs
Kansas
USA
240 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2010 : 3:34:46 PM
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I cleaned out my large flower pots this week-end and I'm planning on planting herbs in the pots this year. I have chives coming up in one of the pots from last year and mint in another pot. I've got thyme, basil, and sage yet to plant. Connie
LULU
Take care and write soon.
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
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1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2010 : 4:33:31 PM
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Like Annika said, watch out for the mint! And I love, love, love rosemary, but it takes forever to grow from seed. I also plant my herbs by the garden gate, so I can brush against them as I go in to the garden and enjoy the smells. Have fun with it, Carol
Forget buns of steel, I'd rather have buns of cinnamon!
Farmgirl #680! |
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MrsRooster
True Blue Farmgirl
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1168 Posts
Amy
Seabrook
TX
USA
1168 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2010 : 06:47:21 AM
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Mint can only go in a pot unless you wish to have a whole bed and lawn of mint.
I like basil, (they have a great new one boxwood that is a tall bush type) oregano, chives, ciltranto, rosemary (only in a warmer climate, it didn't do well for me in Ohio), Texas Tarrigon, parleys, thyme, mint, majoram, lavender.
Have fun with it. Just remember to read the plant info. Some need partial shade. There are great books at the library about it.
Good luck, I hope it does well for you.
www.mrsrooster.blogspot.com
Farmgirl #1259
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lulu
True Blue Farmgirl
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240 Posts
Connie
Geuda Springs
Kansas
USA
240 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2010 : 08:50:34 AM
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I have severl gardening books here at home and Ive been looking at the catalogs that come in the mail. Planting fever is running high. lol I have some seeds , but I'm wanting to go to the greenhouses in the area and see what plants they have. I know I want more sage as the hummingbirds like the blooms. I also like to dry some of it in the fall. I don't mind if the mint gets out in the yard, my DH will mow it and I love the fragrance. I want to plant some lavender this year also as I want to make some sachets this year to tuck into some of the swaps I do. Thanks for suggestions. Connie
LULU
Take care and write soon.
When you wish upon a star...Jiminy Cricket |
Edited by - lulu on Apr 13 2010 08:55:19 AM |
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Cindy Lou
True Blue Farmgirl
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2325 Posts
Susan
Lonsdale
MN
USA
2325 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2010 : 8:31:14 PM
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One thing to consider is which ones will be perennials and give them a permanent spot, the annuals can be changed around from one year to the next. You might want to keep agressively spreading plants like mint in a container or use edging around them. If you are making a formal type garden be sure to consider the size and color of plants compared to each other. One or two sage or basil plants might provide all I could use in a year, others are a lot smaller and you'll want more of them. My past herb gardens have been pretty random but well worth growning to use them. You could do some research on Knot Gardens for design ideas. Have fun! Susan
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" Mary Oliver |
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lulu
True Blue Farmgirl
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240 Posts
Connie
Geuda Springs
Kansas
USA
240 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 05:15:42 AM
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I'm planting my herb to use in cooking and crafts, also to attract hummingbirds. Several years ago I had a 10x10 herb garden. One day while I was weeding and cleaning out the bed, I really had my head down not paying much attention to anything but the task at hand. There were butterflies around and all of a sudden not 12 inches from my face was this tiny little bird, buzzing me. He was after the flower nector on the sage bush and I was intruding into his space. When I realized what he was doing I just backed up an sat down in a lawn chair and enjoyed watching him. Now I put out feeders for the hummers and my DH and I spend most evenings in the summer watching the birds. Connie
LULU
Take care and write soon.
When you wish upon a star...Jiminy Cricket |
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sw80689
True Blue Farmgirl
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207 Posts
Sharon
Papillion
Nebraska
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 8:51:50 PM
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I am starting a large herb garden, too. These are great ideas and information! Especially about the mint, I have not planted that before. Thank you, everyone for sharing your knowledge. Let us know how your herb garden does, Kimberly Ann. Hugs,
Sharon Farmgirl Sister #1393 *We are all angels with one wing, the only way to fly, therefore is to embrace one another* |
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
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935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2010 : 07:51:13 AM
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Well, I started it from seeds earlier in April but so far, no sprouts. It hasn't been that sunny here so I'm hoping that the herb seeds are just being pokey. I planted borage, lovage, dill, bee balm, lemon balm, hyssop. I'll add calendula starts a bit later and depending on how the seeds do, maybe some other transplants. I have thyme, oregano, rosemary and lavender in pots and I have two chocolate mint plants to plant in containers shortly. My basil seedlings haven't done well so I'll be restarting those, along with the sage once the weather gets better.
Kimberly Ann Farmgirl Sister #225 Crochet Geek, Newbie Fiddler, Would-be Farmer, Backyard Chicken Rancher, Eager Podcaster http://beesinourbonnetsintheburbs.blogspot.com/ Podcasts at http://thefannyfarm.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - CherryPie on Apr 16 2010 07:52:05 AM |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
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1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2010 : 09:05:24 AM
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Basil needs warm feet. Even starting them from seed they do best on a seed mat. I have a pellet stove so I start seeds that need bottom heat on top of the stove and then move them under the lights after they sprout. Hope that helps.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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Herbal Wisdom: Planning a large herb garden from scratch - hints? ![Next Topic Next Topic](icons/icon_go_right.gif) |
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