Fall weather is setting into NW PA and my gardens are winding down. At this time of year I check on my herb crops and get them ready do the winter season.
photo credit: themissiah

Many plants are annuals and will be removed from the garden. But I like fresh herbs so I will either transplant the plant into a pot and bring indoors or start a new herb plant from seed.

I grow my tender perennials  in a window. Rosemary is a tender herb in my region. And my perennial herbs are cut down (the tops will be dried for later use) and the plants will be prepared for winter. I clear any weeds from my herb patch and will cover the garden area when frost threatens. That may be any day.

If you are planning a new herb garden for next year or moving herbs indoors for an herbal window garden this you tube may be a guide on which herbs to grow.

And here is a you tube on fresh or dried herbs. I prefer fresh, but the time of year can influence if you can purchase fresh herbs.

Herbs are always in my garden and home. I use them for cooking, crafting, medicinal uses and for creating cosmetics.

They are also beneficial in the garden for controlling pests. One of my favorites for pest control and a forgotten herb in this time is Borage.

Herbs also add beauty to the gardens and yard. And for the beginning gardener, herbs are very easy to grow.

So if you haven’t grown herbs you may want to give them a try.

Technorati Tags: caring for herbs, growing herbs, herbs, indoor gardening with herbs

It may be you don’t have a lot of time or possibly a lot of space but you can grow a tea garden that will provide you with fresh teas and add color and fun to your windowsills, porch or balcony.
photo credit: nessguide

These mini container gardens will take very little time and with a tea garden theme you can have fun with the containers.

Setting small mini gardens will make them portable so that you can move them in the house when cool weather arrives. This garden will provide a year round supply of tea and plant variety to your house.

Select an appropriate container for your tea garden. You may prefer to have everything in one large container, or to have a grouping of container tea gardens. A grouping will allow the plants more room to grow and thrive plus give you more creativity in arrangements and pots.

Clay pots work well for proper drainage but you can use any pots that have a hole for drainage in the bottom and add pebbles or terra cotta pieces in the bottom of the containers for drainage. I use a coffee filter over the drainage holes to prevent soil from leaking out. I also sit my containers on a tray with pebbles to catch any water that drains out and to add humidity around the plant.

You will need a nutrient-rich potting soil or compost. Check to make sure your pot has good drainage in the bottom and fill your pot almost completely full with the soil. Herbs do not use as much water as some plants so water carefully once you plants are growing.

It will be fun to choose the herbal tea plants that please you and will make fine teas. I like many of the thyme herbs. You can check you local health food store to get ideas for herb plants and search online for herbal tea recipes.

Mint and balm family herbs are very popular for tea blends. Other plants suggestions would be different sage plants, pot marigold, cilantro, basil and lavender.

Plant your herbs according to the instructions that come with each plant or on the back of the seed packets. Be careful not to crowd the herb plants. I plant one to two per smaller containers and 5 to 6 for a larger container.
photo credit: themissiah

Herbs thrive in full sun with well-drained soil so choose a sunny room or window. If you use your herbs on a regular basis they will not become overcrowded in the containers.

Enjoy your herbal container garden!

Technorati Tags: growing herbs, herbal tea gardens, herbs, herbs for homemade teas, small space gardening, theme garden

If your new to gardening you may wish to make for first garden area an herb garden. they are easy to grow, look great and have many uses.
photo credit: castor_girl

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.

Technorati Tags: backyard garden, container gardening, growing herbs, herbs, ten reasons to grow herbs