Herb Gardening

Why do we grow herbs? We grow herbs for a number of reasons. Some people grow herbs for medicinal reasons. Some people grow them for the sweet smell they bring into the house. Mostly herbs are grown to add flavor to other food.

Almost all herbs are easy to grow. The key to success in herb gardening is the soil.

The soil provides:

Water
Nutrients

Good soil is:

Loose
Well drained

Good soil will also hold enough water and air for healthy root growth.

Soil Composition

Soil is a mixture of

Minerals
Organic matter

Soil contains approximately:

45% mineral matter
5% Organic matter
25% Water
25% Air

Organic matter not only supplies nutrients to the plants but it can also help improve drainage.

Soil Texture

Plant growth can be greatly effected by soil texture. In sandy soil roots spread easily. In clay soil, roots do not spread as readily and the soil can tend to become waterlogged. If the soil runs through your fingers, it's too sandy. If it forms a sticky clump, it has too much clay.

To check your soil's texture, take a handful of damp soil and squeeze it. Release your grip. If it crumbles slightly, it is probably satisfactory.

Organic Matter

The organic matter in soil comes from decaying plants and animals. Decaying organic matter adds minerals such as:

Nitrogen
Potassium

Plants love soil rich in organic matter. Soil that is rich in organic matter is very dark in color.

Water and Air

Plants not only need water, but they must also be able to take oxygen in through their roots. Most plants like to have well drained soil. They don't like to have their feet wet. Too much water will cut off their oxygen supply. Plants get their oxygen from air fill pores in the soil. They take in carbon dioxide from the air. Oxygen they can't use is release through their leaves.

Nutrients

The availability of nutrients depends on:

Soil texture
Soil structure
Moisture
High organic matter content
Near neutral pH

One of the most important nutrients for plants is nitrogen. It can be a challenge to keep an adequate supply of nitrogen in your soil. Plants use up nitrogen quickly. Nitrogen also dissolves in water and leaches out of the soil. Nitrogen needs to be resupplied.

pH

Soil pH influences soil chemistry. Soil will absorb more nutrients when the pH in neutral. Many herbs prefer soil on the slightly acid side.

pH Scale

1-5 strongly acid
5-6 moderately acid
6-7 slightly acid
7 neutral
7-8 slightly alkaline
8-9 moderately alkaline
9-14 strongly alkaline

Rototilling

It's a good idea to Rototill in the fall before mulching. When rototilling in the spring make sure the soil isn't too wet. Pick up a clump in your hand and squeeze it. If it falls apart slowly, it's ready. Rototilling should begin early in the season. Rototill the ground to a minimum depth of 6-8" but preferably 8-12". Rototilling will bury weeds, organic matter, etc. and will provide a clean soil surface. Add organic matter before rototilling. Make 2-3 passes in different directions when rototilling.

References

Hessayon, D. G. The New Vegetable & Herb Expert. London: Transworld Publishers LTD, 1998.