What? You never thought of yourself as an "architect"? Go look into the mirror and introduce yourself to ... well, you. Because now you are about to be the architect and the creative vision behind your very own herb garden.
Don't worry! We'll take it slow. But, you're still taking an active in hand in the designing of exactly where your garden goes. You'll be utterly amazed at just how easy it is.
Most people (and you might not be one of them, I understand) start their hobby on a modest scale. They begin by dedicating an area of about 20 by 4 feet to the herbs. And then they break this area up into 12 by 18 inch plots -- each different herb assigned its own special plot.
Just a quick hint -- and something to think about before you go shopping for these plants. Within this space, it's not unusual to see parsley and purple basil as border plants. These are not only placed in a spot that's handy to pick, but they're colorful to add beauty to this spot in your yard.
But even I'm getting ahead of myself now. Because if you really want a well-designed garden, then you need to pick up a pencil and several pieces of graph paper. Yes, you're about to outline -- and literally design -- your very own herb garden.
And no, it's really not nearly as frightening as it sounds. In fact, it's quite fun. After all, if Ralph Waldo Emerson is correct (and who am I to argue with a dead writer1) then every thing we see in this world started as a thought -- and your herb garden is no different.
The best way to transfer a thought into a reality -- write it down. And so we will. Let's face it, you know that your herb garden is already blooming and growing wildly in your imagination even as I write this.
Long before any digging is down, you're planting the seeds of your garden as you visualize where your basil will live, whether you'll put your valerian in the left corner or in the middle of the garden . . . well you get the idea.
And don't worry. You definitely don't have to be an artist to sketch a garden -- especially if you cheat just a little as I suggested earlier: use graph paper. This will keep things in perspective for you.
Before you rush in to even sketch though, there's five MUST-ASK questions only you can answer. And yes, these questions have a direct bearing on the eventual look, feel and overall effect of your garden:
1. How large of a space do you have for your garden (don't be ashamed to say just a small balcony in the middle of a large city!)
2. How much sun does it get? Is it predominantly sunny or are there more total hours of shade?
3. Growing zone are you in?
4. How are you planning to spend time in your garden? How do you intend to use your garden?
5. What type of soil do you have?
Now that your ideal herb garden is beginning to gel in your mind, you can transfer those tentative ideas onto paper. And do remember you're casting this in paper and with pencil -- not in stone.
What does that means? It means that you'll going to have an eraser right along side your paper, because you're bound to change your mind at least once during this process.
To keep you accurate, each square on your graph paper equals one foot in your eventual garden. This makes it super-simple to transfer the ideas into the physical world later.
In addition to this, you may also want to have some type of circular template so you can easily trace around it. Some plants, shrubs and even trees are usually drawn as various circles in a sketched garden design.
For example, let's say tucked among your herb garden you have a three foot wide dwarf shrub. You'll need a circle encompassing three squares on your graph paper.
Now, if you really want to nail down your imagination, you'll some colored pencils lined up for your use as well. How else are you going to know what color herbs to place next to each other?
This exercise is valuable because it allows you to actually lay out and "try on" any number of garden plans. At a loss of just where to start? Begin by showing what you already have, those things that in all practicality just aren't going to move -- like full grown trees!
Other immovable structures you may have to work around include fences and backyard decks or patios.
Next, decide which views you'd like to create. This means what the overall look of your garden will be. Included in this process is determining aspects about the area you'd like to "soften" up a bit or perhaps hide altogether.
Are you looking forward to sitting at your kitchen table, sipping that first cup of coffee in the morning to see ... .? Echinacea blooming? Hawthorne growing? Even the purplish round chubby head of a chives bloom staring back at you?
Or do you prefer sitting there drinking your coffee, while at the same time, you drink in the simply luscious scents of some aromatic herbs?
Now that you've taken that step, continue with what you'll see from your window or patio in all four seasons. Obviously in spring and summer, you'll be looking at foliage and blooms. But what do you want to see in autumn? Do you really want to look at ... well, nothing but worn out flowers?
Draw the lines that are to be borders of your planting areas. Remember that each square represents one foot. Keep a 12-inch ruler next to you as a visual reminder if you have to (I do, because I'm just a member of the "measurement challenged" community). Leave room for the layering of different types of herbs, like your perennials and your shrubs.
Your next step is to draw in those large immoveable objects in your garden that you know, right from the start, you'll need to work around. You know, that tree over there, the fence in the back -- those types of things.
Now it's time to give serious consideration to the types of herbs you'd like to have where. And be precise about this. Start with perennial herbs, try to keep these in groups of around three to five plants in an area. You'll appreciate this piece of advice once they've bloomed.
This is the fun part of the design approach, the part where your seeds of imagination really can germinate into a beautiful and fragrant herb garden. And I'm certainly not about to stop you now!
Don't tell me you're sitting there without a clue of what to choose. You've got all those magazines in front of you, all of those herb catalogs. Here, let me give you a helpful hint or two.
Leave through those magazines again. Yes, you don't have a back yard like they're showing. But what is it about those gardens that are especially appealing, what keeps drawing you back to this garden. Jot is down. Now look at a few other magazines. Go to your local library, visit a larger bookstore in search of magazines.
Perhaps you're just considering container gardening? Then why not pay attention to your local coffee shop? You know the one. It has those container plants grouped so nicely. Garner some inspiration from them.
At the very least check out some websites. Here you'll get a wide variety of ideas of what to place in your garden, depending on your purpose for planting.
Until I gained an interest in herbs, I really had no idea that there were different categories of herb garden designs. But did I learn differently -- and quickly. And indeed you can find entire books devoted to the exact design and layout of gardens, which plants are placed where -- and sometimes even a detailed reasoning why.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention them to you. But don't feel that just because you're starting a new hobby that you have to redesign your entire backyard. Not unless you really wanted a good excuse to.
Much of the design of your garden, in fact, depends on the amount of shade your yard receives -- and where -- the amount of sun available for the herbs, the type of soil you have and just what type of herbs you'd like to grow.
But, still it's interesting and fun to learn more about the design of various gardens and their origins.
No, this doesn't mean you and your guests must dress in tuxedoes in order to enter the garden. The layouts of garden actually date back to medieval and Renaissance Europe. And if you visit public botanical gardens today you'd discover that even today, we're still influenced by these practices.
Of course, we don't know what average Joe "Serf" and his family planted or how they planted them. No doubt they were arranged in an order that emphasized usefulness and ease of access.
But we do know that monasteries and the royal palaces and the gardens of the upper classes were more defined -- and followed certain ideas.
In fact, one of the oldest renditions of a formal herb garden that is known dates back to the ninth century. As far as historians know, the garden, which was designed for a Benedictine monastery was never actually constructed (is that exactly the right word for building a garden?).
But the logic behind the plans is amazing. First, the plans include a large, rectangular kitchen garden. And when I say large, I mean large. Some 18 beds of vegetables and potherbs were anticipated.
Another 16 beds were to be devoted strictly to the medicinal herbs. And its anticipated location is quite interesting -- right next to the doctor's house near the infirmary.
Both of these garden plots were to be walled; each were to laid out in two parallel rows of rectangular raised bed and each bed was devoted to a single species of herbs. Yes, indeed, the monks knew exactly what they wanted.
This was a basic utilitarian design and is quite typical of mastic life as well as just about any large medieval garden.
Fast-forward some 600 years later. We have drawings of 15th century gardens of rural manors and townhouses. What we know about these too were composed of any number of small square or rectangular beds arranged in a simple grid pattern. Paths, with ample room for strolling, connected the various squares.
We still use this general outline to this day. And it is not a bad basic design for an herb garden -- you might even want to consider. After all, its design is based on ease of use. This design -- species by species -- makes it easy to harvest the medicinal herbs as well as rotate the short-lived crops of salad herbs.
Indeed, this particular design of a formal garden works not only on a visually pleasing level, but also on the utilitarian level.
But don't think that every garden in that era was laid out exactly like that. Many weren't. Many residents of these vast estates tossed utility out the door and followed their own imaginations.
One gentleman created a garden that featured the lawn in the center of the yard, and surrounding this in a circular fashion he planted sweet-smelling herbs like basil, rue, and sage. These gardens promoted elements that many of us still promote today when we grow our herbal gardens, elements like intimacy, enclosure and fragrance.
These too originated in the medieval era. And you might be surprised to learn the original intent was a teaching tool. Created by universities to teach their students medicine, these gardens included narrow, rectangular beds much in the medieval fashion. Take for example the Chelsea Physic Garden in London. Founded by the London Society of Apothecaries in the 17th century, the garden beds are still being used today in the original medieval design.
Ah, the Renaissance, known for a resurgence of ... well, it looks like just about everything. Art wasn't the only item to gain popularity sudden. The herb garden changed form during this time as well.
It went well beyond the "basic forms' of the medieval version and grew into more complex endeavors. It's as if those who witnessed the unfolding of the art world weren't satisfied to contain the changes to just one area.
Gone suddenly were the neat, rectangular designs that emphasized utility. Now, gardeners designed for beauty. The patterns of herbs grew more complex.
A design called "the knot" still used today in herb gardens was developed. Decorative interlacing bands of neatly clipped herbs were featured. A geometric design within a square, a rectangle or even a circle was created on the ground.
Each figure in the pattern was then assigned and filled with a single herb, meticulously manicured to maintain the ultimate design.
If spaces were found between these clipped outlines they were filled with gravel or different colored sand. In the Elizabethan era these gaps were filed with lavender, germander or even santolina.
The knot garden to this day is still one of the most popular designs. Open just about any book devoted exclusively to garden design and its one of the first designs you'll see.
"But I don't want to create a huge garden just for herbs," you explain patiently. And that's quite understandable. Thankfully there's really no need to. Why dedicate your time and effort to a process of designing and planting that you really won't enjoy. You see, herb growing is all about enjoyment.
So, let me clue you in on a little secret. Herbs -- and culinary herbs especially --can make themselves at home just about anyplace in your existing flower garden. Heck, even if you don't have a flower garden now, you can find some place in your yard for an herb here and an herb there. That's just part of the beauty and ease of growing herbs.
Got roses blooming already? Go ahead and place an herb as its neighbor. You may want to place your basil next to those petunias. It's your garden, why not? Already got a small vegetable garden going, by all means intersperse your vegetables with herbs.
And don't even panic if you've never planted anything before. I know one gentleman who planted catnip along the cement block foundation of his back porch. He wasn't into planting a lot, just four or five plants. The green added wonderful color and ... okay, so those herbs weren't really for him. His cat appreciated and enjoyed them though -- when he was inside and played with toys filled with catnip. And when the cat was outside and snuggled up next to them.
You get the point. Design is great -- if you enjoy it. But if you're just testing the waters, you may not want to devote that much time to it.
But if you want to go for a larger look but keep it informal . . .
Start with the herbs that you know are going to grow taller than the others. These specific ones are sure to "add interest" to the landscape you're laying out. Most of these you'll want to place behind the shorter ones.
In a very real sense, your garden when completed looks layered. The shortest plants will be in front, some of them being used as border accents. Choose the plants proportionally to place behind the others. You'll want to see -- and certainly you'll want your visitors to see - all of them. What use would it do to have the parsley hidden behind a larger coriander plant?
You'll be surprised at just how many of the herbs will grow quite large if you allow them and encourage them. Bay laurel, by nature is a large herb. You can encourage this plant to grow a larger trunk, simply by pruning it.
Or you may just let it grow into its natural shape -- many larger main stems -- simply by doing nothing.
Rosemary, normally not a very large plant, can be encouraged to grow bigger. All you need to do is remove its lower branches. You can also allow your garden sage to rise above the rest.
The look still isn't quite what you had in mind? Why not plant certain herbs in their own containers, then place these in your herb garden. Containers create a pleasing texture to the eye. Not only that, but depending on the type of container and its color, add a delightful dash of color to your garden.
The only piece of advice I'd like to give you before you begin is this: place this culinary garden as close to the kitchen as possible. This way your favorite herbs are nearby, not only ready to use but easy to get to. Instead of reaching for the store-bought bottles of dried herbs, you simply step outside your back door and pick a few fresh ones. Does life really get any better than this?
Another piece of advice for gardening with herbs: don't be stingy. Yes, you heard me. Be generous when you plant. Don't plant just one basil plant or one thyme. Plants species in groups of three or even five.
Other ideas to keep in mind when you're planting your informal culinary garden include the presence of a path through part of it. This path not only serves as a wonderful mindful meditation road for those of who you are thoughtful. But it serves the larger purpose of providing easy access to all the herbs you choose to pick without trampling through the smaller ones.
No your culinary garden doesn't need to be large, but consider placing certain accents in it nonetheless. A bay tree itself can be an accent, or you may want to add a sundial, a fountain or even a sculpture (as a nod to herb gardens of old) to add interest.
And just because it's informal and small doesn't mean it's without some type of structure. Think of the borders of your garden. You'll want something that grows low. And you'll want to probably keep it looking somewhat uniform. So you don't want to put three or five different plants along the border.
Maintain a constant border with one herb, perhaps parsley. You'd be surprised at how this pulls the entire concept of your garden together. If you want to use two or maybe even three plants as a border, arrange them in a way that you have a visually pleasing pattern to them.
When deciding where exactly your specific herbs will live, you really don't have to worry about breaking any hard and fast gardener's rules. But it might help you if you separated those herbs that like the dry soil -- like the rosemary and thyme -- from those that need more moisture -- like basil and parsley.
And of course, place the herbs that you use most frequently as close to your kitchen door as possible. As much as we're aiming for beauty in the garden, the ultimate goal of this culinary herb garden is to enhance your cooking. If the garden isn't functional, then it's just not successful, no matter how beautiful it is.
A garden dedicated to the growing of herbs just for tea is not a novel idea. And when the weather is nice, the garden is not only a source of your tea, but it can be the setting to leisurely sip your tea and meditate. It may also be the place to serve this fine beverage to your guests.
Let your imagination rule when it comes to t he design of this specific garden. You can use any type of shape or configuration from an informal and cottage plan to a more formal approach or even a zenlike creation.
It's not unusual to walk into a backyard only to discover the tea garden the owners have created is in the shape of a teapot. Some individuals shape their gardens like teacups, complete with saucers.
Consider this fun idea: a teapot shaped garden, about eight to ten feet from the lid to the bottom of the "pot." The size from handle on one end to the spout of the other would be about 10 to 12 feet. This size is large enough to contain 15 to 20 plants, all generously spaced.
You only real limitation with this design is the sunlight available -- and of course if your yard can accommodate such a design. Just bear in mind that (and I know this seems pretty darned obvious!), the larger the garden, the more maintenance it demands.
When creating your tea garden -- no matter what shape you ultimately decide it'll be -- keep in mind that historically they have been places for reflection and relaxation. You can create an addition sense of calm by generating a feeling of enclosure within this space.
Use hedges, trellises or even wooden fences to set this space apart. If you can't use any of these or don't like these ideas, why not enclose using rows of potted plants.
What is a tea garden without a tea table and a set of chairs or at least benches. Sit here alone, with family or a close friend to enjoy a cup of tea made from your own fresh herbs.
Now here's a cute idea! Why not edge your garden bed with some old teaspoons or even mismatched saucers turned on end. You may even want to attach old teacups to garden stakes. Use these as plant markers.
Why not take your garden to the next level with accessorizing? Buy a few used teapots at yard sales, swap meets, or thrift stores. Plant a few herbs in these to display in your garden. You can also plant a few herbs in a setting of teacups as well.
Beyond that you can use teacups as bird baths as well. Actually if you set your imagination free, there's no end to how you can decorate your tea garden.
Whether you pay any attention to the design of your garden to create an elaborate back yard theme, or you decide to grow a few functional herbs from your windowsill or within handy access to your back door, you'll be taking that firsts exciting step to "communing" with nature as you've never known it before.
The aromatic fragrances of herbs are not only enticing, they're downright mesmerizing. Add to that the beauty of some of the most stunning flowers Mother Nature ever made. Oh, yes. This is one addictive hobby.
Now let's get down to the real business of herb gardening: the herbs themselves.
Boosting Self Esteem Guide
Self Improvement
Road To Success
Video Game Systems
Busy Fitness
Chinchilla Care