Growing Herbs in Pots11.30.09

Herbs can be grown quite effectively indoors in pots or containers. Window boxes or hanging baskets are also other places they will thrive. Growing herbs indoors away from the herb garden is not any more difficult. Indeed as you would expect, indoor herbs require the same conditions to flourish as those outside. Click here for more: grow herbs pots

The main ingredients are of course; water, sunlight and fertile soil. Herbs are no different. Sunlight is key to growing any type of plant including herbs whether they are grown indoors or in a garden. When growing indoors, place your herbs in a south or west facing position to make maximum use of the available sunlight. Although there are a few herbs with specific light needs, all of them need a sunny bright spot in the house. Growing herbs for some means supplementing the light with lamps and artificial light.

Herbs also need a well drained, not too rich soil to grow in. It is good practise to add one part of coarse sand two parts of sterilized potting soil to your herbs containers. To ensure adequate drainage, place about an inch of sand aat the base of your containers. To sweeten the soil, and give it a flavor herbs like, it is a good idea to add a teaspoon of lime to every five inch pot.
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Water is the next important factor to consider. Misting the plants and moistening the pebbles will help to keep the herbs within humid conditions. There is no difference in watering your indoor herbs a opposed those in the garden, but ensure the roots are not soaked. One of the main advantages of growing herbs in a container or pot is the ability to move them.

It is ok to leave annual herbs indoors all the time but it is recommended to place perennial herbs outside during the summer. Make sure you bring in all your herbs early so as not to exposed them to the first frost. This is a rule can often be missed out when considering tarragon, mint and chives. That is because these herbs will become dormant in a light frost leading to a healthier growth afterward. All herbs can be grown in containers but some herbs do better then others. Mint is an herb that needs to be contained or it will take over the garden.

On the whole it is quite easy to manage an indoor herb garden. It keeps the herbs handy and within reach anytime you need them for cooking. And with these tips listed above, you will be able to care for your herbs and ensure a healthy plant. Its also a good idea to repot your herbs once a year and give a light feed every so often. You will also have to remember to replant annuals each year and move perennials outdoors when needed. Plus, use your herbs as much as you want as well as harvest them occasionally. It is no secret that pruning plants it encourages new growth. This rule also applies to herbs. So dry them, store them and add them to your cooking recipes! Click here for more: Herb Gardens

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How To Choose Suitable Bulbs For Planting10.21.09

Shorter flowering bulbs, tubers and corms are more suitable for small containers and window boxes than for medium to large containers. There are many bulbs to choose from, inclusing all the dwarf daffodils, such as Narcissus February Gold, Jack Snipe, Jetfire, Jumblie, Topolino and Peeping Tom and the later flowering Hawera.

Dward tulips also look wonderful in pots. All the early flowering singles, such as Tulipa Hearts Delight, Shakespeare and Stresa, and the doubles, such as Peach Blossom and Willemsoord can be used. Hyacinths also make excellent container bulbs and are available in a wide range of colors including blue, white, yellow, pink and salmon pink.

This is just a small selection as there are many other selections to be considered. To plant in a small container, cover the base of the pot with a 2.5cm or 1in layer of drainage material. Add 5cm or 2in of a soil based compost or soil mix. Then, add four handfuls of grit to give extra drainage.

This is important because hyacinths do not like to be too wet in winter. Plant the bulbs so that their bases sit firmly on the grit, spacing them so that they do not touch each other or the sides of the container. Come visit the author latest websites on Cat Pet Supplies and Reader Sunglasses and Cheap Mountain Bikes

Cover with more compost until their tips are just showing. Plant the primroses in a circle between the outer bulbs. Top up with more compost, bringing the level to within 2,5cm or 1in of the rim of the container. Water well and add more compost if necessary.

Cover the base of the window box with a 2.5cm or 1in layer of drainage material, such as small pieces of polystyrene or Styrofoam or broken pots. Add about 5cm or 2in of soil based compost or soil mix, or peat based compost with extra grit in the ratio of three parts compost to one part grit.

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Tips for Growing Oregano10.21.09

To begin growing oregano, you should find out which variety you need to sow. There are different types of oregano, ornamental or culinary (edible). You cannot get it wrong wrong growing oregano, it is simple to cultivate, harvest, and consume

When growing oregano for kitchen use, there are two varieties to consider.

Greek Oregano can be used in Mediterranean style cooking. We associate this type most with the oregano flavor.

Wild Marjoram, Origanum vulgare, is popular in French cuisine; it has a less intense odor and sweeter taste.

Different varieties of growing oregano have purple or pink clusters that bloom in June. This year round plant can grow well in most moderate weather conditions.

You may be shocked to learn that oregano is a member of the mint family. The word oregano in Greece means joy of the mountain Oregano grew like wildfire on the hills in Greece. Greek shepherds used to encourage their flocks to eat the herb, as they believed that it made the meat tender, and even taste better.

Plant oregano seeds in a worked bed, and cover lightly with well-drained soil. You can start seeds indoors and transplant when temperatures outside remain above 45 degrees F. This herb can not tolerate cold weather. Throughout the winter season, place the oregano in window boxes.

The soil should be such that it doesn’t hold too much water.

Do not add compost or fertilizer to the soil because it will alter the taste of the growing herb.

Do not over water. When growing oregano you can let the ground dry a tad, and then water lightly. You do not want the ground to be soaked.

Try growing oregano in pots if you cannot supply a well draining soil bed.

Place the oregano plants a foot apart. And be sure to place in a sunny position, as this herb needs a minimum of 8 hours sunlight every day.

The plant can grow to the height of about twenty four inches, but usually averages about one foot high.

Growing Oregano Advice

Do not use mulch on oregano plants that will retain moisture such as wood chips, straw, or grass. Using stone mulch helps prevent root rot.

To produce more oregano leaves at harvesting time, pinch off the flower heads if your plant begins to blossom.

When the oregano has reached a height of around five inches, you can begin harvesting by pinching the leaves off the plants.

Cut the growing herb back about three inches continually throughout the season to encourage new growth.

Benefits from Oregano

The most beneficial medical uses of growing oregano are for respiratory infections, arthritis, glaucoma, and hypertension.

When it comes to colds or flu, a small handful of oregano in a quart of boiling water is a natural remedy. This technique can get rid of a nasty head cold, while at the same time leaving the skin moisturized and soft.

Uses for Oregano:

Fresh oregano leaves are savory additions to soup, meats, sauces, salad dressings, and egg dishes.

You can dry, chop or freeze oregano for long time storage.

Growing oregano is as easy as pizza pie!

But the best benefit (other than the flavor) is the fact that the herb is available all year round.

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