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7144 members, 153570 posts, 340 blogs
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Herbs: Growing Your Own
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Frank
Happy Gardening
 Administrator
Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Location: Malmö, Sweden
Posts: 10628
PlantStew: 2307 |
| Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 1:12 am Post subject: Herbs: Growing Your Own |
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The first thing you need to do when deciding to create your own Herb Garden is to decide on the size of the plot of land you want to use. This will depend on what herbs and how much you want to grow. Unless you are an experienced gardener or a herb fanatic don’t make your plot too big at first. Remember, you can always add to it later. You can create a raised bed to grow your herbs in and always add more when you decide you need to grow more. Remember to plan out your planting sequence and keep records of what is planted where as well as marking your planting with plastic nametags.
You need to remember that most herbs usually like well-drained soil so start your bed with a good layer of gravel that will help drainage. Place your soil on top of this but remember to add some compost into this. If you have a free draining soil to start with you should be able to manage without the gravel. Make sure your plot is in full sun as many herbs originate in the Mediterranean region.
Most herbs can be sown from seed so you can buy these from your local nursery. You can also buy small plants fort transplanting but there is nothing more satisfying than doing all the work yourself so try to grow from seed first. If you don’t succeed then try small plants later but remember to read the label, as some plants such as coriander do not transplant very well.
Remember that you can also grow many herbs in small tubs or window boxes and can even grow them on your windowsill. Try planting Basil over the winter as long as it is indoors as Basil is a frost tender plant and will die after a single light frost. You can also try starting your seeds off early in the year to plant out as soon as the risk of frost has passed. An early start will give you herbs for longer. If you plant out too early you can always try covering your tender plants with fleece to keep the frosts off. If you live in a frost-free place, get cracking now.
About The Author
Andy Wiley is a budding gardener, chef and internet writer. Check out his new site at 'http://www.healthy-herbs.com'.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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Last edited by Frank on Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:14 pm; edited 1 time in total
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kandie
Just Arrived
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Location: Florida (Map)
Posts: 29
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| Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:26 am Post subject: growing herbs |
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Hi, specifically, I am interested in growing green onions, but cannot find seeds for them anywhere... I was wondering if you could take the ones that you buy from the store to eat (they still have small roots on the bottom) and plant those??? Will they grow?? LOL...
Thanks!!
Kandie
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cajunbelle
Daylily Diva
Joined: 04 Jun 2006
Location: zone 8b Louisiana (Map)
Posts: 3334
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| Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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Kandie, they should grow. I don't know about green onion seeds, but usually at WalMart when they start getting their bulbs on they will have the green onion "sets" for planting. I am not sure if sets is the proper term, but it is what the old folks always called them.
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Sharon
Phil. 4:13
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Hank
On The Way Up
Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Location: Wisconsin (Map)
Posts: 188
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| Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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Green onions are best grown from started plants or seeds. Plant the startd plants a bit deeper than you would think, maybe an inch to 1-1/2", then mound loose soil around them as they grow. This will keep the stems nice and tender and white.
You can also order onion seeds, but go for a salad onion, as they have a tendency to not form big bulbs, but rather form thicker stems.
See here: http://www.dpalmerseed.com/code/onion_seed_salad.htm
or here: http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds/pages/veg-on.htm
Onion "sets" are what you find in mesh bags, like dried baby onions. These are best for growing the big onions that you store in your cellar.
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reggaefan
Official Poet Laureate
Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Location: Zone 8b Louisiana (Map)
Posts: 2519
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| Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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"Every time i plant the seed, they say kill them before they grow." BOB MARLEY I Shot The Sheriff. But alas I digress. I planted green onions at a house Cajun Belle and I were renting once ,everytime I picked the onions I cut off the roots stuck them back in the ground and they came back every time. 
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Richard
"We have met the enemy,and it is us." POGO
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pondlady
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Joined: 05 Aug 2006
Location: New Orleans, La
Posts: 1829
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| Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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Root veggies/herbs don't do well when you live below sea level like we do. I have gotten some great onions and garlic from raised beds tho. I had to work hard to keep my dog from eating them..the onions. Go figure.
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