Creating the Perfect Herb and Flower Garden
Gardening is a way to both relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. For people who are interested in starting a garden, it is important to begin with plants that are easy to grow but are still attractive and beneficial. A simple and quite easy way to start gardening is to create an herb or flower garden. Flowers add color and visual interest to one's yard or patio. When gardening with herbs one can reap culinary benefits by growing herbs that are commonly used in cooking. In addition, there are flowering herbs that are also attractive. Regardless of whether a person plans to plant flowers, herbs or both, it is important to choose wisely for maximum success.
Prior to selecting herbs and/or flowers for one's garden there are a few things that should be taken into consideration. One should consider the size of their yard, and the amount of sun and shade the area receives. This will affect not only what type of herbs or flowers that are selected, but it will also affect how they are planted. People who live in apartments, for example, can still grow a garden; however, because most apartments lack space they can create container gardens instead. They will then want to choose the appropriate type of plant for this type of gardening. Yards with sunny areas are ideal for beginning gardeners as there is a good selection of plants that require sun and that are easy to grow. If an area is too shady, the new gardener may have more difficulty finding suitable plants, although it is not impossible.
Many herbs are easy to grow and do well in containers. Good herbs for beginning gardeners include thyme, basil, parsley, rosemary, and chives. These can be grown outdoors or, if outdoor space is minimal to non-existent they may be grown right off the kitchen in a window box. Herbs do well when they receive at least six hours of full sunlight daily. They also require good drainage and should remain consistently moist. Chives, for example, are a good herb that is easily grown from seeds and can be grown indoors during the winter months.
There are a number of flowering plants that are suitable for beginners. The best way for a person to find easy flowers for the area in which they live is to consult the experts at their local gardening center. They are most knowledgeable about the weather conditions and what plants work well. In general, however, when the prospective plot for the flower garden is in a sunny location, marigolds are an excellent choice as they are hearty and grow easily. Sunflowers and black-eyed Susans are also bright and beautiful choices for sunny areas. In areas that are fairly shady, one might consider planting wax begonias. Flowering herbs also make an attractive garden. They are both attractive and many can be used for cooking. Easy to grow flowering herbs include Bee Balm which has may have red, white, purple, or pink blooms. Feverfew is another flowering herb that has a similar appearance to daisies. The flower has a yellow center with white petals surrounding it. They grow best from summer to the early fall months and reach approximately two feet in height. Lavender is a popular herb that is well-known for its bluish-purple flowers and unmistakable fragrance.
Lavender, like other flowers and flowering herbs are good choices for various craft projects. One way to prepare flowers such as this is to dry them. There are several techniques to drying flowers and flowering herbs for craft purposes. These techniques include hanging them upside down, pressing them between the pages of a book or two heavy objects, using the microwave oven, or drying agents. Herbs may be dried either for craft or to preserve them for cooking. This can be done by hanging them drying them in a warm oven, or using a dehydrator. The dried herbs should be kept no longer than one year before they are replaced.
Herb and flower gardens can add beauty to a home. Herbs, in particular, can have additional uses inside the home, such as for cooking and crafts. They do, however, require careful planning and maintenance, in order to stay vibrant and beautiful. Knowing how to create the right kind of herb or flower garden is key to getting the best out of one's investment.
For more information about herb and flower gardens for beginners, please review the following links.
- Organic Gardening: A Flowering Herb Garden
- Caring for Your Herb Garden
- Herbs for Beginning Gardeners
- Growing Herbs
- Thirteen Easy to Grow Vegetables and Herbs
- Growing, Harvesting, and Using Culinary Herbs
- A Guide to Growing Vegetables
- To Establish an Herb Garden, Start Small
- Flowers for Beginning Gardeners
- Seven Herbs with Gorgeous Blooms
- Drying Herbs
- How to: Dry Herbs
- Harvesting and Drying Lavender
- Ten Ornamental Herbs
- Beginner's Pluck: Easy Garden Plants
- Drying Flowers and Foliage for Arrangements
- Methods of Drying Flowers
- Drying and Preserving Plant Material
- Plant a Flower Garden - Three Steps for Beginners
- Top Ten Easy to Grow Flower Plants and Seeds
- Best Herbs for Beginners
- Drying Flowers
- Drying Flowers in a Microwave
- Beginner's Guide to Flowers in the Garden
