Planning Your Garden: Embrace the Longer Days and Start Growing
With the sun setting later and March arriving like a lamb, it’s the perfect time to start planning your garden. Grab a pencil, make a list, and get ready to grow! Whether you’re interested in herbs, flowers, vegetables, or all three, now is the time to envision your garden’s potential.
Why an Herb Garden?
Simon & Garfunkel famously sang about “parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,” making an herb garden an inspired choice. Herbs are fun to grow, fragrant, packed with health benefits, and have been cultivated by cultures worldwide for centuries. When I was 13, I worked at a local garden center cutting herbs for Lorraine Kiefer, where I learned so much about gardening. Alongside my partner, Joe, I’ve continued researching and growing herbs, always enjoying the fresh scents of basil, parsley, and lavender.
Herb gardens can be as small as a windowsill planter or as large as a dedicated raised bed. You can also plant herbs within your existing landscape or tuck them in between your tomatoes. Herbs are a wonderful addition to any home and family, offering both practical and sensory delights.
Essential Herbs for Your Garden
Lavender – Wonderful for its scent and useful in teas.
Basil – A must-have for Italian dishes.
Rosemary – Perfect for roasted vegetables and meats.
Mint – Great for teas and also acts as a natural bug deterrent.
Chives – Ideal for salads and garnishes.
Dill – Essential for pickles and salads.
Parsley – Freshens up food and supports swallowtail butterfly larvae.
Oregano – A star herb with many benefits, attracting butterflies with its flowers.
Strawberries – A great addition for salads and even wine-making.
Most culinary herbs thrive in full sun, though some, like mints, lemon balm, and monarda, can handle afternoon shade. Good drainage is essential, so plant herbs in well-draining soil. Perennial herbs like lavender, sage, rosemary, and chives can form the foundation of your herb garden, while annuals like basil, parsley, tarragon, and thyme can be planted around them.
Planning for a Continuous Harvest
Many herbs, such as basil, dill, and parsley, need to be sown every few weeks to ensure a steady supply throughout the season. Some herbs, including cilantro and parsley, can be started as early as April, while cool-weather greens like arugula and lettuces can be planted in mid-March. Keep seeds moist, as a dried-out root will prevent sprouting.
To ensure success, test your soil through your local county extension office. Add lime for nutrients and enrich the soil with compost or organic material—alpaca manure, for example, is an excellent natural fertilizer. A time-release fertilizer can also help maintain healthy growth.
Get Ready to Dig In!
Spring is just around the corner, and whether your garden is big or small, it’s time to start planting! Gardening is not just about growing plants—it’s about nurturing yourself as well. Get your hands in the soil, breathe in the fresh scent of herbs, and enjoy the many benefits of a thriving garden. Happy gardening!
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