Tomato Facts

I recall when I designed my first herb garden. It was located in the rear of the back yard under a Bradford Pear tree. I laid out the bed with red bricks and divided it into 4 quadrants—one section for each group of herb plants. I planted different herb plants in each section.

In one area I planted an Italian herb garden that included oregano, basil and parsley. One section was for the tea herbs, such as anise, chamomile, fennel and peppermint. In the third quarter I tried my hand at herb plants with medicinal purposes, like calendula, aloe vera and horseradish. The last quarter had cosmetic herbs like for lavender, chervil and lemon verbena that I used in soaps, lotions and shampoos.

It was an awesome success that first year and I liked the experience, but in the second year, my mints took over and my chamomile crept away while my lavender died a painfully tragic sunlight-related death.

The second year was unsuccessful because I hadn’t taken time to think about what my herbs needed most: the right soil, the right kind of light and enough water.

Before you plant a single plant, be sure to check out the spot where you will eventually plant your herb plants so that you’ll know the best herb plants for that place. Each herb needs optimal conditions to thrive and prosper. Try herbs like white willow, thyme, sage, poppies and lemon balm.

Here are some other herbs that you can be successful with:

• Basil: This is one of those herbs that can pretty much do all the work for you. Basil needs full or part-sun and can grow in a bed or pot, as long as it has good drainage, which reminds me to mention that you’ll only need to water it when the dirt is dry. Use the sweet basil variety for your Italian dinners for an unmistakable flavor.

• Lemongrass: I love the fresh, clean smell of lemongrass. Whether you get it or grow it from seeds, this bright green, lemon-scented grass will add a hint of color to your garden and grow pretty tall in just one growing season. For best results, I suggest that you pick-up the plant rather than starting with seeds, and before you know it you will have another ingredient for your Indian and Thai dinners!

• Cilantro: I say “Ole” to this fantastic little herb that I only discovered a few years ago. Its distinctive taste makes it an awesome addition to your Tex-Mex dinners and it is easy to grow.

• Chamomile: To add some extra sparkle to your hanging baskets, experiment with the German variety of this chamomile. When you walk by it you can clip off a few leaves, rinse them, chop them up and brew them into a calming, soothing tea and try it in your evening bath. Chamomile is considered to be a sensual plant because it has a light and woody apple scent that will heighten your senses. It will also make you smile because it looks like a daisy with white petals and a yellow center.

So experiment, have fun, go dig in the dirt and get your hands dirty …there are so many ways to herb garden outside and none of them is the only way to do it—there is no right way, there is only your way.

Good luck with your herb gardening outside. Be sure to let me know how your herb garden grows.

Here is more information on Herb Garden Designs. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Herb Gardens.