As human illness may often be prevented by healthful conditions, so pests may be kept away by strict garden cleanliness. Heaps of waste are lodging places for the breeding of insects. I do not think a compost pile will do the harm, but unkempt, uncared-for spots seem to invite trouble.

There are certain helps to keeping pests down. The constant stirring up of the soil by earthworms is an aid in keeping the soil open to air and water. Many of our common birds feed upon insects. The sparrows, robins, chickadees, meadow larks and orioles are all examples of birds who help in this way. Some insects feed on other and harmful insects. Some kinds of ladybugs do this good deed. The ichneumon-fly helps too. And toads are wonders in the number of insects they can consume at one meal. The toad deserves very kind treatment from all of us.

Each gardener should try to make her or his garden into a place attractive to birds and toads. A good birdhouse, grain sprinkled about in early spring, a water-place, are invitations for birds to stay a while in your garden. If you wish toads, fix things up for them too. During a hot summer day a toad likes to rest in the shade. By night he is ready to go forth to eat but not to kill, since toads prefer live food. How can one “fix up” for toads? Well, one thing to do is to prepare a retreat, quiet, dark and damp. A few stones of some size underneath the shade of a shrub with perhaps a carpeting of damp leaves, would appear very fine to a toad.

There are two general classes of insects known by the way they do their work. One kind gnaws at the plant really taking pieces of it into its system. This kind of insect has a mouth fitted to do this work. Grasshoppers and caterpillars are of this sort. The other kind sucks the juices from a plant. This, in some ways, is the worst sort. Plant lice belong here, as do mosquitoes, which prey on us. All the scale insects fasten themselves on plants, and suck out the life of the plants.

Now can we fight these chaps? The gnawing fellows may be caught with poison sprayed upon plants, which they take into their bodies with the plant. The Bordeaux mixture which is a poison sprayed upon plants for this purpose.

In the other case the only thing is to attack the insect direct. So certain insecticides, as they are called, are sprayed on the plant to fall upon the insect. They do a deadly work of attacking, in one way or another, the body of the insect.

Sometimes we are much troubled with underground insects at work. You have seen a garden covered with ant hills. Here is a remedy, but one of which you must be careful.

This question is constantly being asked, ‘How can I tell what insect is doing the destructive work?’ Well, you can tell partly by the work done, and partly by seeing the insect itself. This latter thing is not always so easy to accomplish. I had cutworms one season and never saw one. I saw only the work done. If stalks of tender plants are cut clean off be pretty sure the cutworm is abroad. What does he look like? Well, that is a hard question because his family is a large one. Should you see sometime a grayish striped caterpillar, you may know it is a cutworm. But because of its habit of resting in the ground during the day and working by night, it is difficult to catch sight of one. The cutworm is around early in the season ready to cut the flower stalks of the hyacinths. When the peas come on a bit later, he is ready for them. A very good way to block him off is to put paper collars, or tin ones, about the plants. These collars should be about an inch away from the plant.

Of course, plant lice are more common. Those we see are often green in colour. But they may be red, yellow or brown. Lice are easy enough to find since they are always clinging to their host. As sucking insects they have to cling close to a plant for food, and one is pretty sure to find them. But the biting insects do their work, and then go hide. That makes them much more difficult to deal with.

Rose slugs do great damage to the rose bushes. They eat out the body of the leaves, so that just the veining is left. They are soft-bodied, green above and yellow below.

A beetle, the striped beetle, attacks young melons and squash leaves. It eats the leaf by riddling out holes in it. This beetle, as its name implies, is striped. The back is black with yellow stripes running lengthwise.

Then there are the slugs, which are garden pests. The slug will devour almost any garden plant, whether it be a flower or a vegetable. They lay lots of eggs in old rubbish heaps. Do you see the good of cleaning up rubbish? The slugs do more harm in the garden than almost any other single insect pest. You can discover them in the following way. There is a trick for bringing them to the surface of the ground in the day time. You see they rest during the day below ground. So just water the soil in which the slugs are supposed to be. How are you to know where they are? They are quite likely to hide near the plants they are feeding on. So water the ground with some nice clean lime water. This will disturb them, and up they’ll poke to see what the matter is.

Beside these most common of pests, pests which attack many kinds of plants, there are special pests for special plants. Discouraging, is it not? Beans have pests of their own; so have potatoes and cabbages. In fact, the vegetable garden has many inhabitants. In the flower garden lice are very bothersome, the cutworm and the slug have a good time there, too, and ants often get very numerous as the season advances. But for real discouraging insect troubles the vegetable garden takes the prize. If we were going into fruit to any extent, perhaps the vegetable garden would have to resign in favour of the fruit garden.

A common pest in the vegetable garden is the tomato worm. This is a large yellowish or greenish striped worm. Its work is to eat into the young fruit.

A great, light green caterpillar is found on celery. This caterpillar may be told by the black bands, one on each ring or segment of its body.

The squash bug may be told by its brown body, which is long and slender, and by the disagreeable odour from it when killed. The potato bug is another fellow to look out for. It is a beetle with yellow and black stripes down its crusty back. The little green cabbage worm is a perfect nuisance. It is a small caterpillar and smaller than the tomato worm. These are perhaps the most common of garden pests by name. I have been a plumber for over 35 years and still have trouble with Garden Pests. After much research I am able to tackle the issue effectively, Ping me a message if you with to know more.

 What better way to gain knowledge of a new hobby and develop skills in it than by buying a kit.  Herb garden kits are a remarkable way to progress with growing herbs used for your own consumption.  If you come up with questions concerning the necessities of an herb backyard, the kits will turn up with a basic pot and start to answer individual questions.  Your questions might entail what soils to take advantage of, and where to obtain seeds, and which herbs are better to accept as complete full-fledged plants.

Herb garden kits arrive in many themed parcels, like cooking herbs, or Italian herbs, or lemon scented herbs.  Pizza herbs can go in a kit with fennel, rosemary, garlic and oregano.  You might have the benefit of growing a kit of salsa herbs, cilantro, garlic, oregano and other flavourings.  Even though herb kits might be unique, they will have individual things in common.  Herb kits will include seeds and a planting medium, and most likely containers as well.  The medium might be top soil, or a soil less medium or a combination of things like potting soil and perlite, or sand.  They can turn up with a mini hothouse type dome to provide constant growing temperatures and moisture.  Look for advice in your herb garden kits, and maybe recipes to apply with your finished creation.  If you acquire an herb growing kit through a website you will maybe be given an opportunity to sign up for a newsletter in relation to herbs, care, and recipes as well.  Even though the kits appear not the same, they will include many of these same things in common.

There are many reasons to grow herbs indoors from a kit.  There are no big plots of soil to dig up, and you can watch your herbs grow on a day by day basis.  Exotic flavourings used for your meals are growing entirely at your fingertips if you look after your herb gardening indoors. Having your herbs grow inside lets them benefit from constant heat and dampness meant for the best harvest, even as it is winter out doors.  An inside herb kit is mobile; you can track the sun or provide an inside light source used for optimum growth.  Most inside herb garden kits are a compact size that is ideal meant for close quarters, like small houses or apartments. Growing herbs inside puts you in control of environmental features like light and water, allowing for a more uniform growing season, with little left to risk or estimate effort.  Now this way achievement with herb farming is almost all the time guaranteed.

 When you go to work on learning on the subject of herb farming and herb garden kits you turn out to be more familiar with a variety of herbs.  Studying something like herbs and their development is an entertaining type of hobby, and that basic herb kit can launch you on your voyage to expert status. A plumber  Knowing and observing herbs indoors teaches you valuable training you may perhaps aim to apply to an outside backyard in a while.  Then you will be informed of growing necessities and beneficial of various herbs that will enhance your life as you nurture them.  Just think you can get started with a kit.

You will need to harvest your herbs before you can actually use them.  You have to be very careful when you pick them to get the most from your herbs.  You don’t want to damage and strip them of their essential oils.  Make sure the weather conditions are correct.  A dry and calm day on a midsummer morning will give you the highest concentration of essential oils.  Fewer oils are produced on wet or humid days so choose your harvesting wisely.  Pick only a portion of your plant approximately a third, you need to leave some of the plant to help it grow again.  Always check your herbs incase they are damaged or infested with insects.

Preserving your herbs can be done in three ways:

1.         Drying

2.         Freezing

3.         Preserving them in a salt or vinegar.

When drying herbs, bundle six to twelve stems together and remove any foliage near the base of the stems and secure the bundle with a string. Hang away from sunlight in a cool area.  To dry individual leaves, place them on a screen or rack and turn them often so they dry properly.  Some people claim appliances such as dehydrators and microwaves are a good way to dry herbs, but the results are not as good.

If you prefer to freeze your herbs make sure you cut them into small pieces then place them on a tray.  Once they are frozen keep them in the freezer in a container or bag until you are ready to use them.  They can be frozen in a small amount of water in ice cube trays as well.

Using salt or vinegar to preserve your herbs is another good way.  Mint, basil and tarragon are a great example of herbs preserved in vinegar.  Make sure once you have decided which herbs you want preserving in vinegar or oil to keep them refrigerated until you need them.

You may not want to preserve all of your harvested herbs.  Instead, you may want to use some of them straight from the garden.  An important thing you must do before using herbs in fresh recipes is cleaning your herbs.  Place them in a bowl filled with cool water, add two table spoons of salt and watch as it drives away insects without causing any damage to the plant. To dry the herbs, use a salad spinner.

As a plumber You will need to do some more research about your home herb garden as every herb you are thinking of using will be different.  They will require different elements and specific needs to help them grow and thrive.

Insects are one of the worst things to have in your garden; they can live under the soil, in old weeds or piles of leaves, or in a number of other places. In order to help keep insects away, always try and eliminate places in your garden and near your garden that these insects and other plant diseases could be living. Remove old leaves, weeds, or any other decaying matter that insects and diseases could be living in from your yard. Also, regularly turn over your garden soil and break apart any clumps of dirt so that you can eliminate the living spaces any insects that might be hiding underground.

Another way to rid your garden of the pests is to use dormant spray, which is used to keep destructive insects and diseases under control. It is best that you use dormant spray when your plants are dormant, usually around February or early March. I have used dormant spray many times on my garden and it has worked wonders on keeping insects out. But as I learned from experience, dormant spray is only effective if you follow the correct instructions.As a plumber when I first decided to use some on my garden, I just dumped it everywhere in hopes of killing everything harmful. Unfortunately I ended up killing my entire garden along with my neighbors. Some insects can be beneficial to your garden though, so be sure to find out which insects help your garden.

Another pest problem I’ve had besides insects has been birds. Whenever I see birds in my garden I run outside a chase them away, but as soon as I step inside they come right back. The solution that I’ve come up with to keep the birds away from my garden is to put a bird feeder in my yard. Instead of costing me time and money by eating my garden, the birds eat at the bird feeder. In the long run it”ll save you money. Not only can a bird feeder help keep birds away from your garden, but they can also be a new part of your yard decoration. Although not completely eliminating my bird problem, my bird feeder has made the problem smaller. Getting a dog has also helped.

If you start seeing mounds of dirt around your yard, and your plants keep unexplainably dieing, you can assume that you have a gopher problem.  Thankfully, this is one of the few garden pasts that I haven’t had. However my friend has struggled with a tremendous gopher infestation, so I decided to research it. Gophers are rodents that are five to fourteen inches long. Their fur can be black, light brown, or white, and they have small tails. One method of getting rid of these root-eating pests is to set traps. The key to successfully capturing a gopher using a trap is to successfully locate the gopher’s tunnels and set the trap correctly. Another way to get rid of them is to use smoke bombs, which you place into the tunnel and the smoke spreads through out it and hopefully reaches the gopher.

If you suspect that your gardens are being pillaged by any of the pests I mentioned, I encourage you to try your hardest to eliminate the problem as soon as possible. The longer you let the species stay, the more established it will become.

Growing Rosemary Herb – How To Produce This Plant

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.

Do You Need To Take Special Care When Growing Rosemary Herb?

Since it doesn’t require special care and treatment, Growing Rosemary Herb is very easy to do.  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 and growing rosemary herb in a window will not give it the sufficient sunlight required to maintain a good healthy plant when indoors.

Growing Rosemary Herb In Pots

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.  So growing herbs in pots does have it’s advantages.

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 growing rosemary herb 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.