Herbs Part 1 Podcast 3-9-09
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Planted by: Jennifer Tidwell
Date: Monday March 9, 2009
Planted in: Herbs,Podcasts
This podcast sponsored by:
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The first official podcast is launched! I’m trying to keep these as short and informative as possible, so you don’t get bored and I don’t lose track of what I’m talking about. I’m sure the podcasts will improve in quality and content as time goes by. This is my first attempt at beaming my voice into cyberspace, so bear with me.
I’ve included the “script” I read from below to give you an idea of what was discussed, and to provide the information just in case you don’t want to listen:
Welcome to the first official podcast of backyardgrowngardens.com. If this is your first time tuning in, welcome. If you are a long-time fan of the site, welcome back! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Jennifer Tidwell, and I am the owner of Backyard Grown Gardens. I have been gardening since I was old enough to walk, and have discovered that it is my life’s purpose and my passion. I have lived in Northwest MS most of my life, but I’m planning to relocate to Little Rock AR soon.
I received so many questions about herbs, that I have decided to divide the podcasts into several sessions. This week I will be discussing general information about growing herbs, including site selection, soil types, and watering.
Next week I will begin a series of discussions about individual herb plants and their needs. How many sessions I record depends on how many questions I receive. To send in your questions about herbs and herb gardening, send an e-mail to info@backyardgrowngardens.com.
If you are not familiar with the site, I have started an entire section that is devoted to herb gardening, and individual herb plants. Check out www.backyardgrowngardens.com and click on the Directory & Resources link at the top of the home page. You can also join as a member and keep a gardening blog, upload pictures and join the discussion forums.
The podcast is also available on iTunes if you have it installed on your computer. Click on the podcast link in the menu and search for backyard grown. There is a link on my home page for subscribing to the podcast RSS feed and the iTunes podcast subscription link is also available there.
The first thing I would like to discuss is site selection. Without adequate sunlight, herb plants will not grow. They need a minimum of 6 hours of full sun a day, with 8 being better. Before you plant anything, you will need to observe your chosen site throughout the day for several days to determine if the sunlight is adequate.
The next concern should be your soil. Herbs prefer somewhat loose, well-drained soil, so a site that holds water will not work. Some herbs even prefer a dry soil and can grow in poor soil conditions.
I hope it’s sinking in that planting an herb garden is a little more than just running out and buying plants or seeds and sticking them in the ground. A little soil and site prep now will save you some headache and frustration in the long run…
The next thing you will want to do is dig up a spade of soil where you would like to plant your herb garden. Pick up a handful and give it a squeeze. If the soil has a loose crumbly texture, and can be broken apart easily, you have good soil. Think of it like a moist chocolate sponge cake. That’s the texture you’re going for. Herbs will need the addition of sand and organic matter if the soil is heavy and slippery clay. Clay soil can equal death for herbs. If the soil slips through your fingers, you will need to add some organic matter. Even herbs need some moisture retention. You can send off your soil to a testing lab to get specific composition, but I don’t recommend it unless you are concerned about toxins in the soil.
Don’t despair if your intended site is a no-go. Raised beds may be your best bet in any case, because you can control the content of the soil and they are easier to weed and maintain. If you are making a raised bed, Grower’s Supply has a recycled plastic lumber and end connectors that work very well. Treated lumber shouldn’t be used, because the chemicals can leech into your soil. Other than that, just about anything that can create a perimeter and hold soil can become a raised bed.
Before you run out and get your herb plants, do a little bed preparation. This should ideally be done the fall before you want to plant your garden. I promise that you will thank me in the long run for amending the soil and preparing your beds ahead of time.
A mixture of topsoil, organic compost, and sand will be a great start to your bed. Just be aware that the topsoil you get in bags from large chain garden centers is not the greatest. Look for a good quality topsoil at your independent garden center. You may be able to get it by the scoop instead of by the bag. No more than 50% of your soil should be purchased topsoil. The remainder should be a 50/50 blend of something like composted cow manure and sand. Keep in mind the texture you’re going for and mix appropriately.Now that you know what you’re dealing with, make a plan. It doesn’t have to be fancy or professional, but measuring and drawing a rough sketch will help you buy plants now and later. If you are shopping with an independent garden center, it will also help the professionals that work there determine what you need. They are accustomed to looking at drawn landscaping plans. They can also help you select amendments that will improve the condition of your soil. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Decide whether you want a strictly ornamental garden, a culinary garden, a medicinal garden, or a mixture. Do you want annuals or perennials? Do you want to attract bees and butterflies? The beauty of an herb garden is that it can be all of these things.
You can grow herbs in pots outdoors as long as you give them enough sun and water them regularly. Pot culture is a bit different because the roots can only expand so far, and they only get whatever water you and mother nature provide. I have successfully grown herbs in pots for years. The trick is getting a large enough pot that you won’t have to bump them up more than a few times throughout the season. If you are growing sweet basil in a pot, be aware that you will need to shear it back and pot it up a few times. It grows very fast and will get ugly and die on you pretty quickly if you don’t keep an eye on it.
Growing herbs in pots indoors is a challenge sometimes. While it can be done, you have to be sure that you are giving them adequate light exposure. That is the biggest hurdle to overcome when growing herbs indoors. They need just as much light inside as outside, if not more, because they are growing under artificial conditions. A southern facing window should provide enough sun, but if not, you might want to get a gooseneck lamp and a grow light. These can be bought pretty cheaply at your discount retailer of choice.
Watering outdoors should be done daily in the summer if you are establishing new plants. Keep in mind that herbs don’t like wet feet. If it rains for a few hours, you won’t likely need to water that day. If you are growing in pots, pay attention to the plants. Watering is going to be a daily affair for pot-grown herbs because they dry out so quickly. If they are wilting, give them a drink. If you are watering them and they still wilt, it may be time to move to a bigger pot. Be sure to soak the soil through. You can also do the finger check, which is sticking your finger down into the soil. If the top 2-3” are dry, it’s time to water.
I hope this has been an informative first podcast. Next week I will begin the series on individual questions about specific plants and specific concerns. All the resources mentioned in the podcast will be available on the site.
For more information about Backyard Grown Gardens, or to ask a gardening question, please visit the web site at www.backyardgrowngardens.com or send an e-mail to info@backyardgrowngardens.com.
See you next time!
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