Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on WHAV.
Add some flavor and fragrance to your garden, meals, beverages, and garden parties with homegrown herbs. Whether growing in a container, mixed amongst flowers and vegetables or in a garden of their own, you will enjoy an herbal addition to the landscape.
Start by growing herbs you like to use for cooking, flavoring beverages, in dried arrangements or potpourris.
Most herbs prefer full sun and well-drained soil. But always check the tag to make sure to place the plants you select in the proper growing location.
Water new plantings often enough to keep the top few inches of soil moist. Once the plants are established, water plants thoroughly when the top few inches of soil are crumbly and just slightly moist. Check container plantings daily and water as needed.
Harvest a few leaves and stems as needed throughout the growing season. Regular harvesting encourages more growth for future harvests.
A bit more information: Use a pair of garden scissors or pruners for harvesting. Make your cuts above a set of healthy leaves to keep plants looking good. Snip a few leaves or stems as needed throughout the season. Or make a large harvest for drying and future use. You can cut annual herbs back by 50 to 75% and perennial herbs by one third at a time. The plants will recover for future harvests.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com.