Herb Gardening – 5 Most Common Mistakes

Herb gardening is a favorite past time of many people. They relish the idea of having fresh herbs for their foods, rather than choosing the dried seasonings that are available at the supermarket. Although herbs are rather easy to grow, there are some common pitfalls that you should avoid.

Here are 5 common mistakes that people who want to grow an herb garden often make. Read further to find out which mistakes you should avoid.

5 Most Common Mistakes Made in Herb Gardening

1. Choosing Unhealthy Plants– Some people make the mistake of purchasing herb plants that are not up to standard. Choosing herb plants that appear unhealthy lessen the chance of them taking root in your garden. When choosing your herb plant, choose ones that have a healthy root system and show signs of new growth. The leaves should be green and show no sign of disease.
2. Planting Incorrectly– Common mistakes to avoid when planting a herb garden is to make sure that you plant them in the right spot. Too much or too little sun will stunt plant growth. The plant must also have proper drainage so that it will not get root rot. It is a good idea to plant herbs near plants that absorb a lot of water.
3. Overcrowding– Some herb plants grow like wildfire. Remember to look at the plant tag for spacing and height requirements. This will give you an idea as to where you should plant them in your garden. Remember to harvest some of the leaves during the growing season. This will help to thin out your herb plant and provide you with fresh seasoning throughout the growing season.
4. Letting It Go to Seed– Although some herb plants have beautiful flowers, it is important that you pinch off the leaves before they are permitted to flower. The reason for this is because once the plant flowers, its growing season is coming to an end. If it is not permitted to flower, the plant will continue to grow and spread throughout your garden.
5. Using Pesticides– Avoid using pesticides in your garden. Pesticides leak into the soil and are absorbed by the plant. Use natural products and methods to deter garden pests.

Avoiding these 5 common mistakes will help you to grow a successful herb garden. Once your herb plants show some growth, you can pick off the leaves to add to foods. Just before the end of the growing season, and before the plant flowers, cut off the leaves and dry them out to use at a later time if you happen to have an abundant yield.