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If you are planning to use the herbs, you should harvest them first but before doing so, you should consider the time you will harvest a certain herb. The weather at a certain place affects the good harvest of a herb.

Some herbs are affected by the season especially during harvest time. Their essential oils can be dispersed by the wind and the heat. It is already a common practice that herbs are harvested during dry season because herbs have fewer oils during the wet season.

If you harvest a herb, you only get a certain part of it and not the entire plant. Harvesting the herb does not mean you have to use it at once at the time you picked them but you can preserve them by keeping it in the refrigerator. In harvesting, you have to inspect for insects and leaves that are damaged.

Typically the  owner of a home herb garden knows that there are three ways to preserve their herbs for later use; drying, freezing, or preserving them in a medium like salt or vinegar.

In order to dry herbs you need to bundle six to twelve stems together and remove any foliage near the base of the stems. You can secure the bundle with string. The home herb garden enthusiasts protects the bundle in a cool location away from sunlight.

If you are looking to dry individual leaves you can place them on a screen or a rack. Remember to turn them often in order for them to dry properly.

Some people who have a home herb garden have turned to using appliances like dehydrators, ovens or microwaves to dry herbs as well although these are less satisfactory ways.

Freezing herbs is a fairy simple way to preserve herbs. Cut the herbs into inch pieces and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Once the herbs are frozen, you can place them together in a bag and store them in the freezer until use.

The third way to preserve herbs in home herb gardens is through a medium. For instance, you can cover herbs like chopped mint, basil or tarragon with vinegar and it will be preserved for several months. Or you can make a flavored salt to preserve herbs by alternating layers of fresh herbs between salt. When completely dry separate the brown herb from the flavored salt and store it in an airtight container.

Of course, the home herb gardener often use herbs fresh right out of the garden. Take care cleaning the herbs before they are placed fresh in recipes.

In order to clean fresh herbs place them in a bowl filled with cool water. If there is a large quantity of herbs you can use the sink. Place about two tablespoons of salt in the water. The salt in the water will drive away insects without damaging the plant. Remove the herbs from the water and dry them in a salad spinner.
photo credit: themissiah

Herbs have different types. They also have different uses and different ways on how to harvest them. Whatever herb you have in your own garden, you should have the proper knowledge and background for them to be used and cared properly.

Jack Grant is an herb garden lover and improved his skills in Italy. Get the secrets on how to cultivate your own Home Herb Garden and get FREE tips. Click here.

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For example, planting a sun lover like hibiscus in the shade will result in a slow growth and decline, which will usually lead to disease and insect problems, followed by its demise. Planting a giant shrub like a viburnum against the foundation of your house will result in you clipping the shrub several times each year to keep it somewhat under control.

I usually research my shrub online or from a garden book and choose my location before I buy the plant. This way I can dig a hole and be ready to plant the shrub as soon as I get home. If I have pre-dug the hole I water the hole the night before I get the shrub.

If I find a shrub and bring it home, I water the shrub well and sit it in the shade, dig a hole, water the hole and plant the shrub the next day.

Why water a hole? It lets me see if the location drains well and I also make sure the surrounding water is damp and moist. This will help the shrub adapt to its new surrounding faster.

Other tips for planting a shrub

• Plant your container grown or balled shrubs in early spring or fall, while temperatures are mild. Bare root shrubs should be planted in early spring, so they have the rest of the growing season to get established.
• Dig a hole approximately 1 ½ times the size of the root ball. Amend the soil minimally. I use compost in the bottom of the hole and mix a small amount of compost in the soil that I have removed for the shrub. When roots encounter overly rich soil surrounded by a wall of clay, they tend to grow back into the amended area, producing a root-bound effect. Since my soil tens to be heavy clay this step is important for me.
• Tamp the soil back into the hole with your foot, eliminating air pockets. Air pockets cause poor drainage and the roots of the shrub will not breath properly leading to a sickly shrub that grows slowly.
• Water the shrub with a trickle from the hose, drip irrigation or with plastic milk jugs until the area is saturated. Continue providing one inch of water per week during the growing season.
• It’s best to reduce competition from weeds by installing a weed mat or 2 to 3 inches of mulch. Your shrub will grow better and you will have less work. You could also plant a shallow-rooted ground cover around the base of the shrub. Periwinkle is a good choice for a ground cover.
• When planting shrubs, plant in a group of three to five. Repetition and odd numbers are more pleasing to the eye and have a more natural look. If you consider your shrub to be a stand-alone specimen, plant some smaller shrubs in front of it to give a layered look. The addition of perennial flowers in the group will also add to the planting.

Shrubs add to the beauty and relaxation of your yard. They also make a great backdrop for flowers and soften the edges of your home and garden areas.

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When the garden season begins you never know what Mother Nature has planned so my motto is “be prepared!”

Setting your garden up for drought conditions can be done by using mulch or planting in containers so that they can be moved into shade or closer to water. You can also landscape your yard and gardens for drought by using perennials, using plants and trees that require less water, or by planting re-seeding annuals, herbs and native plants.

I also water in the morning, use deep watering methods and rain barrels for catching rain. You will find a few more ideas at my sister site Backyard Oasis,  How to choose drought resistant plants.

One idea I have used for many years is watering by milk jug (or a small plastic pop bottle for containers)

Fill the cleaned empty milk or plastic pop bottle with hot water. This will clean the bottle and also help remove the label.
I let my bottles and jugs sit overnight to make sure they are clean.

Use a sharp nail to make a hole or two in the milk jug. You can also use a cordless drill with a tiny bit to make the holes. Just remember the larger the holes are on the bottom the faster your water will run out.

Hint: if you use jugs with holes and without, mark the jug. It’s not fun to fill a jug and have the water run out and into your shoes while placing it in the yard.

Place the jug by the plant that needs water. Using this method you get a slow watering what will soak in the ground near the plant where it’s needed,

Pop bottles

I tent to use small pop bottles in containers. Cut off the bottom of the pop bottle. Remove the cap and place the bottle in the center of a container. I submerge the bottle halfway into the soil. This will act as a funnel and take water directly to the roots. This works well for vegetable plants that require a lot of water. And as the plant grows the bottle is hidden from site.

Tips:

If you have a fish tank or pond you can use that water to water your plants and then top off what water is removed. You will help clean the tank or pond and have nutrient rich water for your plants.

When not using the milk jugs you can run a string through the handles and store them by hanging them on a wall out of the way

Here are two sites for ideas on hardy plants. I enjoy Hibiscus plants and Best Flower gardening has an excellent article, Hibiscus-a-must-have-perennial.

Home and Garden Online has a nice write-up on native plants, Native Plants: flower-garden-guide. Native plants add so much to your garden landscape.

Whether you have too much rain or too little with planning and preparation you can still have a beautiful yard and successful garden. It just may be a bit more challenging!

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Here in NW Pa the rain and cold ended many crops early and quite a few people just turned the gardens under and will plan for a more successful garden next season.
photo credit: kanegen

I moved most of my gardens under glass or used raised beds so my crops lived. They didn’t have as large of crops as usual but there were fresh vegetables.

And there are very few apples in the area this year. I have many trees so there will be apples but not the large selection I usually have. I also will not be pressing apple cider. But blueberries are doing well so I will freeze some of those to put away for those cold winter days.

When planning for next year you may want to look at using raised beds for easier gardening and the ease of covering your crops against too much rain or cold nights.

By adding plastic piping that can be bent in a U shape you can make a tunnel and cover it with plastic for cold and rain protection. I may even have to cover the gardens soon for frost protection.

Yes, a few places just above me may get their first frost in August! They are calling for possible frost in upstate New York.
photo credit: lepiaf.geo

So tell me how your garden turn out and do you plan to plant a winter garden? It’s amazing what you can grow indooors in the winter.

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Another benefit of a tea garden is that it takes a very small amount of space. A 6-foot by 8-foot garden is actually quite big. If you have less space you can make it smaller. And if you only have indoor space available, a tea garden will adapt well to being indoors or on a balcony.

If you have more room you may want to set the tea garden up in a cottage garden tea garden design with a small fenced in area with a gate and trellis or arbor.

Many cottage herb garden designs plant honeysuckle, clematis, climbing rose bushes or wisteria on the trellis or arbor. It will not be long before these plants climb over the arbor and trellis and add astonishing color to you garden area.

Whatever size you select for an outdoor tea garden you will want to divide your entire garden down the middle by making a path. The path can be wide enough for a wheelbarrow or a slender path used for harvesting. Next create narrow paths within each planting bed on either side of the path.

Your goal is to make everything is within arm’s length for weeding and harvesting. This will keep you off the soil and allow more room for your herbs. I will often place a flat rock to stand on just off a path if I need to be able to reach into the garden bed further. This also adds a more natural look to the garden.

Choose herb plants that will thrive in your garden zone. A trip to you local nursery or garden center will help you with your plant selections. I also mix a few colorful fragrant flowers, fruits and vegetables in the herb garden just to add interest and color.

As with any garden, plant the garden based on what each plant needs for sunlight and spacing.

Herbs can be planted closer together than many plants and still thrive so fill the garden. If possible leave a very small section for a tiny bench or a very small table. This will give you a place to relax, enjoy the garden and have a cup of fresh tea.

I also try to add a rain barrel to my herb garden area so that water is easily within reach for watering the plants.
photo credit: chaz2b

And if your only available space is the patio or indoors, herbs grow very well in containers and hanging baskets. Just try to find a spot that get 6 to 8 hours of sunlight for the plants.

Herbs make wonderful container gardens because you have interesting color and texture in herbs and by selecting unique containers and planters you can create wonderful relaxing garden art that can be changed during the season and that also adds tea and seasonings to you home.

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A vegetable garden doesn’t have to be huge and hold tons of plants. Not everyone has the space for a garden like that, but they can grow thriving plants in a small area as long as there’s access to sunlight.
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People develop gardens in various small areas – it could be a tiny bit of land outside a house, or pots in planters kept indoors or outdoors. How well you treat your plants and how skillful you are at gardening are issues that are far more important than the amount of space you have.

Even a little garden can compete with a large one, if the gardener’s expertise is applied well to growing the plants.

Take the time to plan out your vegetable garden design to maximize the amount of space that you have. You’ll want to research the plants you intend to grow within your garden. Find out what plants can be planted near each other, which ones need the most sunlight and any care instructions needed to grow a particular type of plant.

Once you have a plan, it will help you place the plants in your garden, whether you are using planters or a small area of your backyard. You’ll also need to research when you should plant each plant as well. There are some plants that need planted earlier than others.

You’ll need to buy the seeds or plants that you are going to plant as well. Be sure that you have planters that are big enough if you are going to go with a pot garden. Some plants will need a bit more space for growing, so be sure that they are not too crowded.

The soil you use in your pots should be of the best quality. This should give your plants the nutrition they need to grow large and healthy. You can ask for advice on soil from the experts at your garden center.
photo credit: *Susie*

Small gardens are not immune to ravages by insects. You can deal with this problem, though.

The first thing you can do is entice creatures that prey on insects into your garden. Frogs, birds, ladybugs and lizards will come to your garden if there is a pond or other body of water, as well plants that they will find attractive.

You can also use other methods instead of chemical repellents. Try insecticidal soap, spicy peppers or garlic to keep insects away.

There are certain kinds of soil available that come with pest-repelling ingredients,  try these out. Pesticides are one option, but go easy on these and only use what is strictly necessary; after all, they are injurious chemicals, with detrimental effects on the health not only of the plants, but of animals and children too.

No matter how large or small your garden may be, you need to make sure you nurture it. Get rid of any weeks and make sure that soil is aerated from time to time and watered regularly. Without the right care from you, your garden will never thrive.

Even the small gardens can thrive and do well. So, if you just don’t have enough room for a large garden, you can use the area you have to have a great garden, even in a small area.

If you take care of the garden, you can get the healthy and beautiful plants you want.

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Garden art can include everything from a decorative plant pot to a water fountain.

Here are a few suggestions to think about when adding garden art to your gardens and yard.

Use existing structures as backdrops for garden art pieces. Pots with flowers placed strategically on a fence create more of a garden feel to a small backyard. Hang antiques or old tools on the sides of barn or utility shed.

Create a small area to rest in the garden, or by a greenhouse or work shed.

Small tree-filled spaces will look more spacious if you use a three dimensional approach in design. Birdhouses, mini lanterns and wind chimes will create layers of color and interest in the branches.

You can also create mini gardens around the tree bases with flowers, herbs and ceramic collectible pieces. I use collectibles that may have some damage but when placed in a garden area it is not noticeable.

Wide-open spaces in the backyard successfully display larger garden art. Ponds, fountains, a bird sanctuary including a feeder, bath and butterfly garden, or larger sculpture pieces work well here. And make sure you add a bench for relaxing.

By adding garden art you can quickly change the look of a garden or backyard for a party or for the different season of the year. Garden art also looks nice on the patio or balcony and will help blend the indoor space with outdoor space.

The only precaution with adding garden art it making sure the pieces have a common theme and match your landscape or home design so that you have a nice design flow and not a confusing chaotic look.

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The hammock is believed to have been conceived in South America over 900 years ago.
photo credit: Living in Monrovia

Even though there is no hard evidence many believe that the first hammocks were made using the bark of the hamak tree and this is how the hammock was named.

As soon as Christopher Columbus landed on the Bahamas he could see the versatility of the hammock and promptly brought the idea back to Spain where it went through some refinements. Like swapping the hamak bark for sisal fibers before it spread throughout Europe.

The main reason hammocks became popular initially in South America is because they are suspended above the floor. This in effect kept the occupant away from insect’s spiders and snakes it also offered dry alternative to sleeping on a wet floor.

The hammock is we know it today really came to prominence in the 16th century when an English navy admiral realized its potential for use in the cramped conditions of the battle ships. Now more people could sleep more comfortably in a smaller space than before.

These crew members became so accustomed to sleeping in a hammock that many insisted on taking them whenever they were on leave, convinced that they would be unable to sleep properly in a normal bed.

Hammocks were used by both the navy and military right up to the Second World War which shows just how versatile and durable a hammock is when it stand up to these conditions.

Hammocks still hold many close ties with South America indeed many of the most popular hammocks are named after south and Central American countries.

Brazilian hammocks are made from cotton, they do not use a spreader bar which allows the hammock to wrap in around the person, making them more secure and less likely to fall out when a sleeps.

The Venezuelan hammock also does not use a spreader bar which also makes it ideal to use for sleeping. These hammocks will have a lot more give and will stretch over time.

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March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers, so runs the old saying. A little hard work helps, too, and if the first two arrive on schedule the spring work will be well under way.
photo credit: Allie_Caulfield

It also takes good soil to produce flowers but what to add and what not to add to make it good is often a problem. Should it be manure, bone meal or lime?

Every garden needs fertilizer in some form in the spring and when the second crops go into the soil in summer the plant foods need to be replenished. Farmyard manure, particularly cow manure, is still considered an ideal fertilizer by many gardeners.

For flower and vegetable gardens it should be fresh manure, not rotted. A good organic dry fertilizer is favored by many in preference to chemical fertilizers.

Dry fertilizers are best used in combination with liberal amounts of rotted compost. Theyre available everywhere, and frequently are specially prepared for various kinds of plants and flowers as well as vegetables.

Lime is often beneficial and sometimes necessary but it is usually not needed every year. Low lying, heavy wet soils are likely to need it every second year. Average soil requires lime once each three or four years.

However, outside of the lime belt it might be needed more frequently. When in doubt about the needs of your soil your state experiment station or local farm bureau will test it for you or you can purchase a simple home soil testing kit that will provide all the needed information.

Superphosphate

Superphosphate should be added to the soil when cow manure is used, since the latter generally lacks phosphates or at least enough for best results.

Perennial Borders

Perennial borders need a little extra nourishment in the spring as soon as there is sufficient growth to show where all the plants are. Manure and bone meal or dry fertilizer should be dug in. Perennial borders properly fed and cared for will grow along for years.

Large clumps of perennials can be separated now unless they are the spring blooming kind but fall is the better time for this job if there are many plants to be divided.
photo credit: audreyjm529

Gall on Spruce Trees

Spruce tree gall is caused by a midge that lays its eggs on the young tips of the spruce tree, and the developing young within the plant cause the formation of galls or burrs. Affected trees should be sprayed with a miscible oil spray that has been diluted according to instructions for use on evergreens.

Shaded Corner Garden

A shaded corner in the garden or a northern exposure is ideal for tuberous begonias. Start them in flats in an enclosed porch or in the greenhouse in equal quantities of sand, leafmold or peatmoss and soil.

Plant with the rounded end down and about one-third of the tuber exposed. When they have made an inch or two of growth and there is no danger of frost they can be planted out into well-prepared soil in the shade. They can also be potted into 4 or 5-inch pots and put outdoors later on. (This is safer where there is danger of a late frost.)

Gladiolus

Plant gladiolus as soon as the ground is ready. To do their best gladiolus should have rich soil. Plant about 4 inches deep and for a longer season put in succession plantings up to July 15. To control thrips spray the plants every two weeks with malathion. Do not plant gladiolus in the same spot two years in succession.

Planting A Strawberry

Strawberry plants should be planted this month to bear fruit next year. To be sure of a good crop of berries prepare the bed with liberal quantities of manure or compost and dry fertilizer and water well in dry weather. Either young plants from an old bed or purchased plants may be set out. It does not pay to keep a bed past its second fruiting year.

For best results dig one old bed under each year after taking the young runner plants from it. Then start a new bed with them. Start the new bed in a spot that has not had strawberries in it for at least two years.

Vegetables

Vegetables to sow. Seeds suggested for March sewing, if not already in, can still be sown new. In late April or early May put in succession planings of lettuce, beets, carrots and radishes, and the first sewing of green beans. Even a first sewing of corn could go in if the garden is in a favored spot and you wish to take a chance.

Small frequent succession sewings assure a constant supply of first class vegetables. Also in late April plant out all hardy vegetables – broccoli, cabbage, lettuce and cauliflower. Do not put out tender plants till after May 15 to 25.

Annuals

Start annuals now including marigolds, zinnias, cosmos and asters, all fast-growing plants. These if can be sewn indoors or outdoors late in April and May in the locations where they are to flower. After germination thin out the seedlings. These annuals often flower best when sewn outdoors directly but these sewn indoors and then set out flower earlier.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum cuttings for fall flowering may be taken in April and May. Take the tops of strong, healthy growth and root in sand. Use a rooting hormone. It is also a good time to divide outdoor patio plants with several stems, taking a small piece of root with each part. Such a division is called an “Irishmans cutting” and can be started in a soil mixture in pets or flats. This is particularly good for outdoor chrysanthemums or where there is no greenhouse.

Outdoor chrysanthemums should be lifted each spring, broken up in this manner, and then started off again as separate plants. They will need to be pinched several times to make them branch. Plants net divided become thin, weak and flower poorly.

Harden off plants before setting out. Seedlings started in a greenhouse, hotbed or perch are tender and must be hardened off before planting out time. Even such hardy types as lettuce and cabbage freeze easily if taken from the warm indoors and immediately planted into the garden.

Place the plants on a cool porch or in a cold frame for about 10 days, allowing the temperature to become quite low and give plenty of ventilation. On extremely cold nights they need covering to keep out frost.

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Below are ten reasons why to grow herbs

1.)   Most herbs are easy to grow and don’t need as much water as other plants. They rarely require organic fertilizers. In general you can almost ignore your herbs!
2.)   Fresh herbs that you grow are more flavorful than the dried herbs you can buy at the supermarket. Plus they have the benefits of enzymes that are lost with older stored herbs.
3.)   Herbs require little space and can be grown indoors. Some herbs prefer being grown indoors and that means you can have a small thriving mini herb-seasoning garden in you kitchen.
4.)   Herbs can take an average meal and turn it into a gourmet meal. By changing a few spices you can make one recipe into a new treat.
5.)   Herbs can improve your health. They have medicinal uses and are the base for many prescription drugs. Note: always use any herb with care if using as a treatment.
6.)   Herbs naturally repel pests. This helps to make them “low-maintenance.” They can also be used in the gardens and yard to prevent pest problems. Many organic gardeners use herbs in their gardens for preventative gardening problems and pest control.
7.)   Herbs add color and fragrance to your garden. Their rather wild look helps add interest to your plantings and they mix in well both in vegetable gardens and flower beds
8.)   Herbs have wonderful fragrances, which lend their selves to creating soaps and cosmetics.
9.)   Herbs can be dried and used in floral arrangements. They also have many other useful crafting purposes.
10.) Herbs grow well in containers so if you want a garden but have little space these are perfect plants to grow. With their uses as spices, cut flowers and for crafting; you have a multi–purpose garden

My gardens and yards are not complete without herbs.

Herbs are a perfect choice to grow because of their low maintenance.  They also mix in with other plants so well that they fill in garden holes and work well in areas with difficult landscaping needs.

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