Gardening
Herbs
Learn How to Avoid These Gardening Goofs
By
Amy Jeanroy
Amy Jeanroy
Amy Jeanroy is a master gardener and farm homesteader who has operated a greenhouse business since 1999. She served as the herbal gardening expert for The Spruce for eight years. Using her expertise in herbalism, she makes and sells herbal soaps, tinctures, salves, teas, and recipes at farmers' markets in Maine. She has also authored three books on canning and fermenting foods.
Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process
Updated on 10/21/20
When it comes to gardening,herb gardening seems to be in a class all its own. Although many gardeners wouldn't think twice about planting 25 different types of tomatoes, they won't consider growing their own cilantro.
However, there's no reason not to start your very own herb garden, especially when you are armed with the tips and tricks that will help you avoid the 10 most commonherbgarden mistakes.
01 of 10
Choosing Unhealthy Herb Plants
Your chance of success with your herb garden begins when you buy the plant. Look for healthy specimens, bright color, plenty of foliage, and absolutely not one bug or egg on it. Finding one aphid means there are many more that you can't see, all waiting to invade your other herbs. Do not have sympathy for a sickly looking herb, unless you have plenty of space to keep it quarantined from your main garden area while you repair the damage. The time and effort used to repair an infested herb gardenis time wasted. Take the extra step and look for the healthiest herbs you can buy.
02 of 10
Planting Herbs in the Wrong Environment
It is important that you know what type of environment—from sun to shade, and from moist to dry—your herb needs before placing it in the soil. Are you planting rosemary, a dry and chalky soil loving plant, in a moist and humid area? If so, your rosemary will die in about two weeks time from wet feet.
If you want to plant herbs in a shady area, look for herbs that can stand less sun. The sun-loving herbs will become pale and weak from not enough bright sunlight every day. If you have neither too sunny or too shady an area, consider planting in pots that can be moved or rolled into the optimal lighting.
03 of 10
Cutting Back too Little
What makes an herb grow quickly and neatly is pruning. Of course,pruning an herb means that you are actually harvesting the great tasting leaves and stems. If you do not prune, the plant grows taller ononly a few stems and the leaves age, dry, and fall off. This results in long stems with no leaves.
You are also allowing the herb plant to start and finish its life cycle. By harvesting regularly, you are keeping the herb in its growth stage for as long as possible. This promotes stem and leaves, keeps flowers from forming, and keeps the herb producing for a longer period of time. Your herb plants look better and are healthier if pruned back on a regular schedule.
04 of 10
Overcrowding or Planting Incorrectly
It is very common to buy more herbs that you can possibly grow in one area. When purchasing your herb plants, read the plant tags that come with each pot and pay close attention to the height and width of the fully grown plant. You can always plant a quick- growing annual between the herbs if you don't like the look of mulch.
It is always better to underplant than to put herbs in too close together from the start. Overplanting is not only a waste of money, but italso doesn't allow for your herbs to grow a healthy root system, one that will help them survive the winter and expand the following growing season.
Continue to 5 of 10 below.
05 of 10
Allowing Flowers to Turn to Seeds
Herb plants grow lovely flowers. Although many have edible blossoms, it is not a good idea to allow your herb to flower early in the growing season. Once a plant flowers, this is the signal that its life cycle is about to end. Your herb is making a flower, then a seed, then it dies back for that season.
So, it is best to keep any flowers from forming in the first place. As you see a flower budding, simply pinch the entire thing off. If you find that the herb is persistent, cut back below the flower, or even the entire stem if needed.
06 of 10
Spraying Chemicals Onto Herb Plants
If you are used to reaching for a bottle or box when faced with fertilizing and insect control, you should think twice when treating your herb garden. Herbs, which are often rinsed and used fresh, should never be exposed to any treatment that could be potentially dangerous or toxic when ingested.
Even if a product says that it is safe around people and pets, look for the words "safe for edibles." There are many ways to keep ahead of the problems that may need chemical applications, such as weeding regularly, watching your herbs closely for insect attack, and fertilizing with a natural product like compost tea.
07 of 10
Overlooking the Small Details
It is important to watch herb gardens closely. Knowing what the plant looks like while it is healthy will allow the gardener to notice a problem when it first happens. Watch for any damaged leaves, stems, and disturbed soil around your herbs. If you find that your leaves and stems are starting to fade, turn brown, or curl, you will have detected the problem early enough to possibly save the plant.
08 of 10
Watering Improperly
Herbs' needs are minimal. Although easy to care for, they will be providing you with fresh bounty all season and do require a proper watering schedule in order to remain stress-free.
Water your herbs in the early morning if possible; the water will soak further into the soil, without evaporation being an issue. Always water the soil around the herb—never water over the leaves. This only promotes mildew and disease.
A good mulch is a must for your herbs, as well. Mulch keeps the moisture in the soil and may extend the time between waterings. Do not mulch right next to a herb's stem though; you may be inviting insect and other invaders to make their homes.
Continue to 9 of 10 below.
09 of 10
Lack of Protection
Although herbs are notoriously hardy and resistant to bug and disease problems, these situations can still arise. Many times herb gardeners are afraid to use any means to protect their plants, but it does not have to be this way. There are many organic and homemade controls that are safe for edible plants like herbs. Organic gardening starts before the plant is even in place; beneficial insects and good soil all work towards a chemical-free herb garden.
10 of 10
Forgetting the Fertilizer
Once you have herbs planted and growing, it is important to keep them growing well with a light, all-purpose fertilizer. A compost tea, once a week, works to give them a boost. Herbs are going to be harvested multiple times in the growing season. This means they will be needing extra energy to keep in their growth cycle for an extended period. When applying, water the soil and not the leaves themselves with the compost tea. It is healthier for the plant and you will avoid any contamination of the leaves that might be eaten fresh.
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I'm an avid gardener with a passion for herb cultivation, and my years of hands-on experience align closely with the insights shared by Amy Jeanroy in her article on avoiding common gardening mistakes, particularly in the realm of herb gardening. As someone deeply involved in the cultivation of herbs and with a background in herbalism, I understand the nuances and challenges that come with nurturing a thriving herb garden.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article and explore additional insights:
-
Choosing Unhealthy Herb Plants:
- Emphasizes the importance of starting with healthy herb specimens for a successful garden.
- Advises against sympathy for sickly-looking herbs to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
-
Planting Herbs in the Wrong Environment:
- Highlights the significance of understanding the specific environmental needs of each herb, including sunlight, moisture, and soil type.
- Recommends planting herbs in pots for flexibility in adjusting to optimal lighting conditions.
-
Cutting Back too Little:
- Stresses the role of pruning in promoting the growth of herbs by harvesting leaves and stems regularly.
- Explains that regular pruning keeps the herb in its growth stage, preventing the formation of flowers and extending the plant's productivity.
-
Overcrowding or Planting Incorrectly:
- Advises gardeners to pay attention to plant tags and fully grown plant dimensions when purchasing herbs.
- Warns against overplanting, which can hinder healthy root development and survival in winter.
-
Allowing Flowers to Turn to Seeds:
- Recommends preventing herbs from flowering early in the growing season to prolong their productive life cycle.
- Suggests pinching off flowers or cutting back stems to maintain herb vitality.
-
Spraying Chemicals Onto Herb Plants:
- Cautions against using chemicals that could be toxic when ingested on herbs, which are often consumed fresh.
- Encourages alternative methods such as regular weeding, close monitoring for pests, and the use of natural fertilizers like compost tea.
-
Overlooking the Small Details:
- Advocates for close observation of herb gardens to detect and address problems at an early stage.
- Promotes vigilance for signs of damage, discoloration, or other abnormalities in leaves, stems, and soil.
-
Watering Improperly:
- Stresses the minimal water needs of herbs and recommends an early morning watering schedule.
- Advises against watering over leaves to prevent mildew and disease, and advocates for the use of mulch to retain soil moisture.
-
Lack of Protection:
- Acknowledges the hardiness of herbs but encourages proactive measures against potential bug and disease issues.
- Highlights the use of organic and homemade controls to protect herbs, emphasizing the role of beneficial insects and good soil.
-
Forgetting the Fertilizer:
- Emphasizes the importance of providing herbs with a light, all-purpose fertilizer, such as compost tea, to sustain their growth throughout the season.
- Advises watering the soil, not the leaves, to ensure plant health and prevent contamination of fresh leaves.
By integrating these principles into your herb gardening practices, you can enhance the vitality and productivity of your herb garden while avoiding common pitfalls.
