Growing Herbs Organically

Organic gardening is very simple with herbs. The only thing you need is very healthy soil. You can plant herbs indoors or outdoors, in the garden or in containers.

You'd want some good potting soil to start with. Potting soil should be made mostly of organic material and should be well-draining. Organic compost mix is a good starter if you're planning on a container garden for your herbs. If not, you can mix it with existing soil to enrich and enliven it.

The healthier the soil is, the better able your herbs will be at fighting off diseases and fending off insect attacks. You should never skimp on good soil, even if you're not into organic gardening.

Next, be sure to plant your herbs in the right spot. Most herbs need all the sun there is, though a few can survive in partial shade. Some even prefer it to be a bit shady. Make sure your herbs are planted where they will thrive best.

Choose herbs that are hardy in the zone where you live. Find out which hardiness zone you live in and be sure to select only varieties that are hardy where you live. Or else, you'd be wasting your time, money, and effort on herbs that just won't live.

Choose very high-quality seedlings if you're buying your herb plants. If you choose to start your own seedlings, be sure to thin them carefully so they don't choke each other out. Your seedlings should be thick in diameter and dark in colour.

You can manage weeds by using mulch. Organic mulch placed over your soil can prevent weeds from growing in your garden. It will also help keep moisture in the soil, and will help keep the soil an even temperature.

Companion planting and organic pesticides work well against pests in your garden. Companion planting offers a wide variety of plants that can go together. Most often, garlic and marigolds are planted alongside other plants to control pests.

You also have many choices when it comes to organic pesticides. Some of them simply make your plants inhospitable to insects, and others can actually kill them. You should choose varieties of herbs that are disease-resistant and pest-resistant, if possible.

Although these plants may still have problems, they don't typically have as many problems as their standard counterparts. This is especially useful when you don't want to use chemical treatments for your plants.

Alternate your crop yearly. Move your herb garden to different spots of your yard if you can. It's not a bad idea to alternate the varieties of each herb you have. If you have purple basil this year, then Thai basil is a good idea for next year.

The mentioned keep pests from coming back to the same spot each year to eat the same crops. Pests can be discouraged by crops that are alternated.

About the author: Writer Julia Desai publishes health websites. Follow these healthy living tips and enjoy a feel-good lifestyle. Check this calorie chart for a list of healthy foods with maximum nutrition and minimum calories. Find the healthiest fruit with antioxidants to help you feel better and live longer.