There are several types of Rosemary plants.  The most common is the Miss Jessup, Tuscan Blue and Spice Island, which are used primarily in Mediterranean cooking. However, other varieties such as the Blue Lady, Blue Boy, and Golden Rain provide the same fragrance and beauty in a distinctive and unique style.  With all of the Rosemary, the flowers and leaves can be used to cook, in salads, or can be eaten from the bush.  In most cases the bush produces tall stocks from which the flowers blossom.  The intensity of aroma and flavour depends on the variety of plant you select.

Since it doesn’t require special care and treatment, the Rosemary is very easy to grow. This bush does very well in an area climate as long as it is kept in soil that has excellent drainage, is sandy, and receives 6 to 8 hours of sun per day.  Most of the varieties of Rosemary grow into large bushes which make them excellent border plants.

If you live in a region where it gets cold and frost, below 30 degrees, you will need to make plans to house your rosemary bush indoors during the winter.  In general, these bushes do not like being indoors in the winter.  The reason for this is that they require 6 to 8 hours of sunlight.  If you are going to keep your Rosemary healthy, indoors, you will need to have artificial lighting for your plant.  The bush does not require heat from the sun, but it does require light.  For most people, keeping their Rosemary in a window will not give it the sufficient sunlight required to maintain a good healthy plant when indoors.

A terra-cotta pot is the ideal home for a rosemary bush.  These pots do not absorb water as many other parts do.  So that Bush can stay dry.  When preparing your pot it is important to put small stones in the bottom before you put the soil in the pot. This will allow better drainage and keep the roots healthy.

It will be necessary to repot your bush on a yearly basis.  The root system of the bush needs to be kept in order for the plant to stay healthy.  The root system grows in direct proportion with the top of the plant.  When your Rosemary is bushy and healthy the plant’s roots are larger and need more room for growth.

In the spring you will need to plan on fertilization for your Rosemary.  Using a kelp and fish emulsion that can be purchased online or in a local store will keep your plant well fertilized.  In addition putting a mixture of the emulsion and water in an old drinks bottle and giving your plant a drink periodically will keep it healthy.

A very common problem with Rosemary is powdery mildew.  This is a white fungus that will take over the plant if not contained.  While it will not kill the plant, it will reduce health.  There are many treatments available to deal with fungus on your Rosemary that are available both on the Internet and locally.  However, a very simple solution is to put a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle of water and spray your plant on a regular basis until the fungus is gone.  This is a very effective way of keeping fungus, mildew, and spider mites off your plant.  When you start growing rosemary herb, you will find that it is an excellent plant in your home or garden.

Choosing the right size and location for the garden is important.  It should be small enough to allow the child to manage the entire plot.  There should be enough room to allow for several different types of herbs so that the child won’t get bored or anxious when it takes a while for the plant to develop from seed.  An area the size of a window box is adequate to handle several small herb plants or plots.

Rather than a single plot, you might want to consider several pots with different herbs in each one.  That way, each type of herb can be moved to a proper location for its watering and sunlight needs.  Allow your child to help pick out the decorative containers if you plan to purchase them.

Although you should allow the child to help pick out the herbs, it is important that the selected plants should be ones that are relatively easy to grow and yet are interesting in shapes, smells or colors.  Plants that grow only in direct sunlight are not going to be successful if the herbs must be grown in partial shade.  Plants should be ones that grow relatively fast.  A child watching for sprouts has been known to dig up seeds to see what they are doing.

Watering is a significant part of keeping a garden in ideal condition.  Children can be taught to monitor moisture levels in a pot or other containers.  The responsibility learned by children who are caring for plants will stand them in good stead throughout the rest of their lives.

From planting, to watering to harvesting, a child with an interest in gardening developed through an herb garden may enjoy carrying the interest one step further and see how the herbs are used in cooking.  Add a few sprinkles of basil to potatoes and zucchini. Summer savory is excellent in soups and stews or stuffing a turkey at Thanksgiving time. Thyme is another notable herb that is used in delicious dishes.

Another interest that children can gain from growing a small herb garden is that of drying the herbs for later use.  Those children who enjoy craft activities can prepare packets of dried thyme or basil as gifts to a friend who enjoys gardening or cooking.  You can also teach the child to take cuttings or prepare plantings to give as gifts.

A kids herb garden provides for creativity in picking containers and plants.  Teaching children to enjoy the responsibility and work of a garden as well as exposing them to the joy of growing plants is a two-fold benefit from caring for living plants.  The additional benefit of having fresh herbs for use in food preparation is an added result.

Lavender grows faster and more successfully when the weather is warm and sunny.  There are varieties of this plant that do not do well in cold climates so make sure if you live in a zone where the weather gets cold to look for a variety that is more winter hardy. Most of the time these hardy types of lavender will go dormant during the winter and once spring comes you will see it start to turn green rather quickly.  Lavender does not need to be tended to.  Just plant it and let it go.  It only needs to be pruned occasionally and even if you do not snip the flowers when they die back the plant will still produce more.

The only condition that will certainly harm lavender is to have its roots too wet.  Always plant lavender in an area where the soil drains well and quickly.  If you see puddles around the roots you should probably move the plants somewhere else.  It also does not appreciate crowding in a humid climate.  It does not mind humidity but space the plants with an empty spot the size of a full grown plant between.  If you do not the leaves may be afflicted with mold.  In the winter it is wise to put mulch over the roots and tie the plant up with burlap to protect it from any cold windy weather.

Growing lavender from seed is not an option for a normal gardener.  The grow rate is bad with seeds and it takes forever to get a plant that you can feel safe enough to put in the garden.  Just go to the nursery and purchase a ready grown lavender plant.  You will notice that lavender plants have a rather large root system sometimes being a bit bigger than the growing plant.  This is not unusual for lavender but it does require that a large hole be dug that will accommodate the size of the root.  You should drop some bone meal and some manure into the hole then spread the roots out a little and plant it in the hole.

Plants that have been over wintered will start to get green and actually put forth flowers early in the spring once the weather gets warm.  You will get a great deal more flowers if you cut the spring growth back.  Some types of lavender produce very long stems up to a foot long while others may only have a tiny stem of about three inches.  Some lavender plants have flowers that come in white or blue but most are different hues of purple.

Both the flowers and leaves have lavender scent.  You can cut a long stemmed plant to the end of the stem and the short stem varieties can be cut to the new growth on the plant. You can cut the entire plant back about one third of its height.  You can air dry the flower by hanging them upside down in a dry area in bunches and the leaves can be dried in a basket or paper bag.  If you notice an area that is not greening up on an established plant wait until the middle of June before you cut it out.  If it does not look better by then get rid of the area.  Flowers can be cut at any time during the spring and summer and you can prune the plants in the spring and around August.  This will give the lavender plant a little time to gain energy before it gets hit with the cold of winter.

Not only can lavender grow in the ground but it is suitable to grow in containers.  This is helpful for gardeners that may live in an area that does not get full sun all day.  You can move the container around to get optimal sunshine.  The roots of lavender are long and there are a lot of them but they love to be contained.  This makes the plant grow happy as long as the roots stay dry.  When you put lavender in a pot get one that is a few inches larger than the root ball.  Place gravel for good drainage in the bottom of the pot and water it when the soil feels very dry.

There are hardy lavender varieties and ones that are not suitable for cold weather and hard conditions.  There are some types of lavender that have a stronger scent than others. Lavender can be woven into wreaths or the oil can be extracted in order to make perfume. Lavender can grow into hedges in some climates and make great borders for the garden. Make sure you get the variety of lavender that will be the best for you and what you want to do with it.  If you just want it to look pretty in your garden that is fine, but there are so many things you can do with this herb you will want to try all of them.

To begin with creating a perennial garden, one must do a quick search of the internet.  Using a search engine is an easy way.  Type in a term such as “perennial herbs” will bring about a huge list of options.  Or check out your local store or herb book from the library.  Also there will be a list of seed companies that can help the gardener locate the type of plants they would like to grow.  Many companies offer free seed catalogs to give the gardener the winter to decide what they would like to grow.

Once the garden is planned, order the seeds.  Most seeds are not expensive. Sometimes heirloom varieties can cost more than regular seeds.  Purchase peat pots or seed starter kits from your local do it yourself store.  Begin this process in the winter as it may take about twelve weeks to have a good baby plant to move outside.  Buy some potting soil and get the process started.  Keep the seedlings inside until the danger of frost has passed.

Now that it is time to move the seedlings outside, look around the yard for a location for the garden.  Typically herbs grow best in a well drained area that receives five to six hours of sunshine per day.  Start with a small area and enlarge it each year.  Before you know it, you will have a good size garden. Herbs are very easy to grow.  They have lots of uses so they are practical and pretty.

Hire a rotavator or get your trusted spade out and cultivate the garden location. Mix in some compost into the soil. This adds a lot of added nutrients.  There are so many perennial herbs to try like oregano, chives, mint, thyme, lavender, aloe vera or even rosemary.

Do not be afraid to try a few annual herb varieties also.  The plant will die off in the end but not before dropping a bunch of seeds. Save the seeds.  You can give them as gifts to friends, family and neighbours.  You will have some for next season. You can even directly sow them for a great spring start.

Check out your hardiness zone.  If you cannot find what zone you are on the internet, give a quick call to the local gardening centre they will give you the information you need.  They will be able to tell you quickly.  Select herb seeds that do well in your area.  Do not pick subtropical herbs if you live in the north. Find ones that do well in your neck of the woods.

Perennial herb gardens are a wonderful way to experience a truly fantastic hobby.  Gardening is relaxing and fun. There is no better way than to grow your own wonderful fresh herbs to use in your cooking.  Making the garden is not difficult.  The hard part will be selecting the varieties to begin with.  Try some traditional herbs as well as a few exotic varieties.  Be adventuresome.  You and your family will be glad that you did.

Hydroponic herb growing is not a new concept. The fact is that it began thousands of years ago in the ancient gardens where they grew herbs for their healing powers. This concept evolved over the years and is now widely used by large companies as well as the everyday household.

Setting up your garden

There are many different ways in which you can set up your garden, but the important thing is that you have the basic set up tools. You will need to start out with a space to grow the herbs, two boxes or other containment areas one a bit smaller than the other, pvc piping, a medium in which to grow your plants, fertilizer, plants, and plenty of water.

You will need to drill some holes into the smaller of your two containment areas and set the small pan into the larger one. This will allow for root growth as the plants get larger. Cut small lengths of the piping into each of the holes and then cover them with your growth medium. If you don’t have access to the medium you can use such things as moss or pebbles in replacement, but the medium will offer the most sterile of growing environments.

Now you can mix up a solution of nutrient rich fertilizer and water. Be sure to mix thoroughly so that it is free of clumping. Pour all of it over the pan ensuring that it goes down into each of the holes and piping. Now you are ready to plant your herbs.

The plants will need to be carefully rinsed of any dirt that might have accumulated around the roots. Using a small dish pan and soaking the roots is the best way to prevent any harm to the delicate roots. Use a dry cloth to wipe away any water and gently set the plants down into the piping. Your garden now awaits your care.

Tips on caring for your garden

Once you are finished with the set up you will want to find a well lit area to set it in. Be sure not to put it near any heating vents as it requires a cooler environment in which to grow. If you have found your house to be too warm and dry you can purchase a cool air humidifier to set nearby. For additional lighting you can buy a plant light at your local home and garden center.

A garden can be a wonderful addition to any home, and hydroponic herb growing is the best way to maintain one directly in your home. It is a great way to add flavour to your home cooking and many of the herbs will add a fabulous smell throughout the house. It is an easy and inexpensive means for providing your family with those special touches that they deserve.

You will need to decide what you want to get from your new garden. If you are looking to create a picturesque scene full of lovely colours and scents, you will pick different plants to those that would suit a medicinal garden or a one to be used to produce homemade cosmetics.

Herbs have existed since time began and are mentioned in all the major religions and feature strongly in ancient medicines.  They were used for cooking, dyes, disinfectants and of course for embalming.    They are really easy to grow and do not require a lot of maintenance. Some prefer the sun while others like the shade.  Some grow really quickly while others like Rosemary take their time.

To get the best results from your mini herb garden, it is worth taking some time to prepare the site.  Most herbs prefer a slightly alkaline soil and a little space.  Don’t skip the preparation phase as having the right foundations will help your herbs to grow strong and fight off pests and bugs.  Always plant at the right time of year and don’t forget to feed your seedlings.  Setting plants too close together will encourage diseases such as mildew with Mint being the most likely herb to be attacked.

You should make a list of the plants you would like to grow.  You will already know what space you have available so make a rough guess based on how high these plants are going to grow as to how many different varieties you will be able to plant. The mistake most beginners make is to plant too many which results in their roots becoming entangled.  This has an adverse affect on both the flavor and scent of the herbs.

Make your life easier by starting with the simple ones such as chives, thyme and some of the other savories.  You can either grow these from seed or buy small plants depending on your budget and your patience levels!  Sometimes you won’t have an option as herbs such as French tarragon and purple sage do not produce seeds unless you live in a very warm climate.  Other herbs such as rosemary are so slow growing that most people prefer to start with a plant.

Once your herbs are growing and you can see that you have some healthy plants, you could put some of them into small pots and set up a stall at the bottom of your drive to sell your surplus. A local nursery may buy your surplus herbs or you could even plant them in decorative pots and give them as gifts to other herb loving friends.

Whatever plants you decide on, have fun and experiment with your mini herb garden.

Your needs will dictate the type and quantity of herbs you grow. If you just want to add flavour and interest to your cooking a small number of herbs will suffice.  You could grow basil, summer savory, chives, watercress and marigold to add flavour to summer salads.  For winter meals, thyme, rosemary and salad burnet are good ones.

Fresh herb gardening does include some rules that should be followed to obtain optimum results.  For example, the roots of the mint herb will overtake any box so it must be planted in its own separate container.  It also grows best in the shade so an idea would be to plant a mint bed with different varieties of this herb such as peppermint, penny royal, curly mint and spear mint on a shady window ledge or shaded area of your garden.

Parsley, thyme and Bay are three herbs that are often used together in cooking so you might want to grow these together.  But if you put them in the same pot, you must position them so that the Bay doesn’t overshadow the other two as parsley and thyme need sunlight to grow.

Fresh herbs can also be used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Lavender will make your garden smell beautiful.  When cut and dried, you can place it under your pillow to help you sleep.  Add it to your wardrobe to help scent your clothes or to your bath to help you to relax.  Rosemary also smells lovely and will add flavour to lamb and other meats.  But it is also good for rinsing your hair adding colour and shine to dark hair.   It also stimulates the digestion and circulation.  Fennel is also good for adding flavour to fish dishes and drinking an infusion of fennel will help to reduce red eye inflammation.

If you suffer from flatulence or digestive problems, making tea from peppermint leaves may help as will chewing caraway seeds.  There are so many different herbs you could grow for both medicinal and cooking uses.

Herbal teas have risen in popularity recently and with your own herbs on your doorstep you will be spoilt for choice.  Chamomile tea, which is widely known to aid relaxation, is made from the flowers of the plant.

Fresh herb gardening is perfect for those of us who are not used to gardens and growing things. It is very relaxing and rewarding knowing that you are responsible for the beautiful scents and colours in your garden not to mention the delightful flavours they add to your kitchen and the medicinal benefits that they could bring.  Why not try it for yourself and see?

You can chose from a variety of ready made boxes such as plastic, wooden or those made from fiberglass.  The decision will depend partly on your budget and also on the style of house you live in.  Avoid metal window boxes as they absorb heat too quickly and this could cause the roots to shrivel.  Fiberglass tends to be expensive, plastic is cheap and will last a long time but I think wooden ones look the best. They are more natural and you can get a size to fit your window exactly. The wood will need to be at least 2cms thick for strength; you should fit a drip tray underneath which should be secured before you start planting herbs.

Herbs are, generally, quite easy to grow where ever they are planted. They do not require planting in deep soil so are perfect for growing in windowsill boxes. Choose the windows that get the most sun in the growing season, as herbs generally originate in warm climates so can require up to 7 hours of sunshine to grow properly.  Choose your crop with care as some such as Mint are not suitable to grow in a box unless they have their own separate container.  They have underground runners that will overtake the entire space very quickly.

When deciding on the type of window box you are looking to create, you need to make a decision on whether you want to grow cooking herbs or fragrance herbs.  The second variety will introduce a wonderful scent into the room when the window is open if you chose lemon thyme and pineapple sage. Some people think herb gardens made up of cooking herbs are boring but this is not the case.   Cooking herbs are not all green. You can design a wonderful colourful display if you include some gold or silver thyme, purple sage or tricolor with its pink and white leaves.

You can also design a windowsill herb garden for Winter and Summer.  In the winter we tend to eat roast meats and stews so growing the herbs that complement these dishes would be a great idea.  Rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley will all grow happily in a winter box.  In the summer, when salads are on the menu, you could add chives, basil or marigold grown in your summer box to help add some flavour.

If you have a lot of windows and one lies in a shady area, you might want to consider filling it with separate pots of mint as this herb loves the shade. You will need to use different pots to contain the growth of the roots and use a mixture of apple mint, peppermint and spearmint. All have lovely flavours and smell delicious too.

I hope that this has given you plenty of ideas for your windowsill herb garden.

1. Winter herb garden:

When picking herbs for your winter herb garden design, you should think about the type of meals you often eat when it is colder.  We eat stews, roast meats and thick warming soups.  You can improve the flavour of these dishes by adding some of your own home grown rosemary, thyme, Welsh onion, parsley or sage.

1. Summer herb garden:

When the sun is shining we no longer need warming soup or hearty stews. Instead we tend to eat more salads which can get a little repetitive and boring. The solution is our second herb garden design which is a summer garden.  Fresh dill, chervil, chives, marigold and basil will add interest and flavour to any salad as well as increasing the vitamin and mineral content.

1. Cosmetic herb garden:

A lot of herbs are extremely useful in the preparation of cosmetics.  There is nothing quite as soothing as a chamomile face mask. If you are stressed or having trouble sleeping a lavender bath will help as will putting dried lavender leaves under your pillow.  Sage is wonderful for oily skin while comfrey works best on dry skin.

1. Medicinal herb garden

If you like natural remedies you will be pleased to know that one herb garden design you could have is a medicinal one. Most medicinal herbs can be used for the treatment of more than one ailment so you do not need acres of space.  If you suffer from a lot of bruises and sprains, grow some comfrey to treat bruises and parsley to treat sprains.  You simply crush the leaves and apply direct to the injury.

Nettles or garlic juice is great for painting onto chilblains.  Drinking nettle tea is also supposed to be very good for you.  Drinking parsley leaf tea may help reduce the discomfort caused by hemorrhoids while applying thyme and summer savory will help sooth insect bites.

1. Decorative herb garden

You do not just have to grow herbs that you have to use for something. You can grow herbs simply because they are very pretty and very aromatic, so why not grow them purely for this reason.  Wouldn’t it be nice to sit in your garden, whatever the size, on a summers evening and simply enjoy the sight and smell of your herb garden. Sometimes, to make us feel good, we need to be surrounded with beautiful scenery and ornamental plants in your garden or window box will do just that.  There are many varieties to choose from. For example, Borage has brilliant blue flowers whereas Hyssop will add pink, white and deep blue colours to your garden. Lavender is a very popular herb to grow for its aroma and there are many different varieties to choose from. You could even grow a whole garden full of all the different Lavender varieties – no that would make an impact!

I hope that these 5 simple herb garden designs have given you some ideas for your own new herb garden.

First of all, here are some advantages to starting a medicinal herb garden:

• Medical herbs are helpful in curing everything from the common cold to arthritis.
• Your herbs will be right there in your own home for you to use at a moment’s notice and you will not have to run to the drug store or supermarket to pick up herbs or alternative medicines.
• The cost of growing your own herbs will be much cheaper than buying herbs at the store.
• Since you are the one growing your herbs, you will know where they came from and what has been added to them and what has not.  You will know that your herbs are all natural.
• The herbs you grow for medicinal purposes may also be good for other purposes too.  They may also be used for cooking, they may be used for aromatherapy and they look good and add colour to your environment as well.

There are many, many different herbs that can be used for different medicinal purposes.  When choosing your herbs, think about any health problems you or your family suffers from, and make sure to plant those.  Here are some examples:

• Pygeum bark, Saw Palmetto, Horsetail, marshmallow, Echinacea and Pipsissewa are good for male prostate health.
• St. John’s Wort is good for emotional well being and concentration.
• Hawthorn, Motherwort, Skullcap and Cayenne are good for cardiovascular health
• Helonias, Black Cohosh, Chasteberry, Dang Gui, Partridge Berry, Angelica, Ginger and Liquorice help with women’s overall health.
• Reishi helps support the immune system.
• Milk Thistle helps the liver.  I have also known people take this during a night on the town to prevent a hangover the following day.
• Valerian, Passion Flower, Skullcap and Chamomile aid in getting to sleep.
• Sweet Annie, Baikal Skullcap, Barberry, Meadowsweet, Marshmallow, Liquorice and Ginger help with digestion.

Once you have decided which medicinal herbs you want to plant, it is time to start planting your herb garden!  The garden will be planted the same way you would plant any other herb garden and the herbs need the same basic elements to grow healthy such as water, sun and good soil.  Some medicinal herbs may have special requirements that require more care and you should do a little research on each herb before you start planting.  Once your plants are planted, you should check them once a day to make sure they are doing ok.

After you have harvested your medicinal herbs, there are so many things you can do with them.  They can be used in poultices, teas and even meals.  Soon, you will be reaping the benefits of growing a medicinal herb garden!