Herbs are satisfying plants to grow since many of them are colorful, fragrant and, of course, edible. Most herbs are also easy to manage and thrive in our Colorado climate. So, to grow a healthy herb garden this summer, make sure you follow these helpful gardening tips below.
Choose the planting area wisely. Things to consider before growing an herb garden include sunlight, watering and soil needs. For example, if you’re growing culinary herbs, you might want to place the garden closer to the kitchen. You should also make sure you group plantings carefully. Tall-growing bushy herbs may cast shadows over short, sprawling herbs, so it’s important to learn about growth habits before planting different herbs next to each other.
Plant invasive herb varieties in containers. Mint is an easy-to-grow herb for your culinary or cocktail garden, but it’s also a good example of an invasive herb. Prevent it from taking over your garden by planting it separately in its own pot. If you want mint nested among your other herbs, you can place the pot within them. However, you’ll still need to keep an eye out for volunteer mint plants if any stems touch the garden soil.
Apply mulch. Using mulch is one of the best ways to conserve moisture in the soil and prevent weed growth. It also helps protect plant roots of perennials when the weather grows cold. The amount of mulch you should apply depends partly on the plant you’re growing, but no soil should be visible through the mulch. Natural mulches should be replaced when they break down.
Amend the soil and apply fertilizer. Some herbs will grow in rough conditions, but most enjoy rich, well-draining soil. If herbs are not looking as green or healthy as they should, try adding rich compost to the soil. If you don’t see improvements in a week or so, add a small amount of liquid fertilizer to give your herbs a boost.
Planting and maintaining the perfect herb garden can take a lot of time and effort, but we can help. Contact Lifescape Colorado today to learn more about our landscaping and gardening services.