The month of March heralds the start of gardening work for many of us. It’s the perfect time to start creating a herb garden, both for their culinary use and for their benefits on our health and environment. If you want to create your own herb garden, here are three key tips to get you started:
1. Choosing your aromatic plants wisely
First and foremost, it is essential to select the aromatic plants that suit your needs and the environment you have.
The relevance of plants according to your desires
To properly choose your aromatic plants, it is appropriate to define the use you want to make of them. For example, if you are a fan of Mediterranean cuisine, favor basil, rosemary, savory or thyme. In this sense, some essential plants can be used in a multitude of dishes:
- Mint : salads, desserts, infusions
- Basil : sauces, soups, gratins
- Parsley : garnish, soups, salads
- Chives : omelettes, raw vegetables, fish
- Tarragon: poultry, fish, sauces
Cultivation conditions
All aromatic plants are not cultivated in the same way and some require specific conditions. It is therefore important to consider the exposure of your garden (sunlight, temperatures, humidity) as well as the type of soil you have.
Inform yourself about the specific needs of each plant, some will prefer a well-drained soil while others will thrive in a more humid soil. For example, rosemary and savory appreciate dry soil, whereas mint and parsley prefer cool, moist soil.
2. Preparing the ground for your herb garden
Once your plants are chosen, it’s time to prepare the ground to welcome your future herb garden.
The location of the garden
Be aware that most aromatic plants love light and need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to flourish. Therefore, find a well-exposed spot to set up your garden, while taking into account the needs of the different plants.
If your space is limited or restricted, don’t panic: many aromatic plants can be perfectly grown in pots, planters, or in small spaces such as balconies or terraces!
Prepare the soil
Good soil preparation is essential to promote the growth of your aromatic plants. Before planting, till the earth to a depth of at least 20 cm and add compost or well-rotted manure to enrich it. Also ensure that the drainage is adequate by digging a 30 cm deep hole and pouring water into it: if it drains completely in 2 hours, the drainage is good.
3. Planting and maintaining your herb garden
Now that everything is ready, it’s time for the planting and maintenance of your herb garden:
The different methods of planting
You can grow your own aromatic plants from seeds, young plants or even cuttings, depending on your preferences and their availability in your region:
- The seeds: sow them directly in open ground (for some species like parsley or coriander) or in a pot, then transplant them to the garden when the seedlings are sufficiently robust,
- The plants: purchased in a pot from a nursery or specialty store, they are ready to be transplanted directly into the ground or in a pot,
- The cuttings: some plants, like rosemary or sage, can be propagated by cuttings. All you need to do is take a stem and plant it in a suitable substrate to promote rooting.
The maintenance of aromatic plants
Maintaining an herb garden is relatively simple. Here are some tips to take care of it:
- Watering: adapt your watering according to the specific needs of each plant and the weather, avoiding excess water which is often harmful,
- Pruning and thinning: do not hesitate to regularly prune your aromatic plants to stimulate their growth, but also to aerate them and prevent some from suffocating,
- Harvest: harvest your aromatic plants as and when needed, favoring cuts in the morning (when essential oils are at their maximum) and making sure to never take more than a third of the total mass of each plant,
- Fertilization : occasionally provide a natural nutritional supplement, such as compost, to support the growth of your plants throughout the seasons.
By following these three key tips, you will be able to create a flourishing and productive herb garden, even starting in March. All that’s left for you to do is to enjoy their flavors and benefits throughout the year!