If you've ever walked by the fresh herbs at your local grocery
store, chances are you've noticed their delicious fragrance. And if
you've checked out their selling price, you've probably just kept
walking by. Buying fresh herbs can get quite expensive; but if you have
an herb garden of your own, you'll find that they are very inexpensive
and easy to grow. But these aren't the only reasons to have an herb
garden.
You don't have to be a gardener - Anyone can grow
herbs! Even if you've never had a garden before, or even planted
flowers, it doesn't matter. Herbs are a great way for a novice to get
started learning how to grow their own food supply. There are even
beginner's herb growing kits for those that are skeptical of their
abilities.
You don't have to have a lot of space - An
herb garden doesn't take up a lot of space. If you have a bay window, or
even a large windowsill, it will be plenty of room to accommodate a
small herb garden.
They look great - Seriously, have you
ever seen a bunch of herbs growing?? They're gorgeous! And the fragrance
they'll put off is amazing. Try growing fresh mint for an aromatic
show-stopper.
They can be grown in pots - If you don't
have room to grow an herb garden indoors, try growing them in pots on
the patio. This makes them easy to reposition, plus container gardening
is always an attractive way to bring life to any space.
Just wait till you taste them! - Food tastes better when it is seasoned with fresh herbs, just as it tastes better when you use any fresh ingredient.
Fresh herbs save money
- Not only will you save money on the herbs you use this year, but you
won't have to worry about buying herbs for many years to come. That's
because fresh herbs will come back year after year. Just remember to
bring them indoors during cold winter months.
They have medicinal purposes
- Ever heard of herbal tea being used to help you sleep, relieve
constipation, or cure an upset stomach? Of course, you have. Even
doctors recommend the use of herbs for medicinal purposes in certain
situations. Check out this Medicinal Herbs Guide we found at HerbsGuide.net. You won't believe how many different uses there are for fresh herbs.
Pets can benefit from them too
- Oftentimes there is a danger of the plants we grow indoors being
dangerous for our pets, but not when it comes to growing herbs. In fact,
many of the herbs we grow can be used to make your pet healthier.
Whether you have a dog, cat, or reptile, there are plenty of ways to use
the herbs you grow for their benefit. Take a moment and read the useful pet guide for gardeners.
Use less salt and packed seasonings
- Because fresh herbs have are so flavorful, you'll find that you don't
need to use as much salt of other pre-packed seasonings that include
salt. That means a healthier diet for you and your family, without
sacrificing taste.
Pest control - In a previous articles we discussed using herbs as a way to keep deer out of your garden.
Deer don't like the strong aroma of herbs, and by planting them by your
treasured rose bushes, you'll see a decrease in the amount of deer, and
other critters that show up uninvited.
Can't decide which herbs you should grow? Think back on the foods you cooked the most over the
last month. For example, we cook a lot of Italian food at my house.
Thus, parsley, basil, and oregano are must-haves in my herb garden,
while fresh dill wouldn't be something I would use that often. Just a
little common sense will steer you in the right direction.
