Starting A Herb Garden
Starting an herb garden is as easy as sowing seeds
and learning how to transplant your herbs. Planting medicinal
herbs is a great way to have fresh herbs always on hand.
Get ready for planting for outdoors:
Be sure you know the Zone you live in and when a
good time to start planting your garden is. The best way
to do this is to take a look at the planting zone map.
Take a walk around your yard if you are planning
on planting your herbal garden in your yard.
Once you have decided where you would like your
garden to go clear the area of all weeds. Prepare the
soil by raking it smooth to create a fine textured surface.
You will want to sow the seeds in a narrow trench,
not to deep or they will not grow. The best depth is about
3 inches the seeds thickness. Cover the seeds completely
by gently raking the soil over them and firming it down well.
Keep the soil moist to encourage the best germination.
Water gently and do not overwater.

Planting Seeds in Containers
What if you don't have a good area in your yard
or you live in an apartment you can still have a small herb
garden all you have to do is go to a local nursery and purchase
a small container that is made for herbal gardening.
Sowing Seeds in Trays:
-
Fill container with a moist seed raising mix
-
Scatter the seeds across the surface
-
Gently water seeds with a fine spray, taking
care not to dislodge
-
Cover with a plastic cover that came with
the container or a glass to maintain moisture
-
Put in a well-lit spot out of direct sunlight
-
Most annual seeds will sprout at an average
indoor temperature of 60 degrees to 75 degress (10-24 degrees
c)
-
Your seeds once germinated will need to have
about 10-16 hours of light each day
-
Good ventilation is essential or your seeds
will grow fungus or have diseases.
-
Water regularly with a fine mist to keep seedlings
moist and not soggy.

Thinning and Potting up:
Whether you plant your seedlings in a container
for later transplant or directly in a garden you will eventually
have to thin them out and if you start them in a mini container
you will need to transplant them into containers so they will
continue to grow.
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