Growing Herbs In A Small Garden

If you're a fan of fresh herbs, then you might want to start your own herb garden. Fortunately, with raised bed gardening, you can create your own little oasis of herbs right in your own backyard. Here are five tips to help you succeed with a raised bed herb garden:

How to Build a Raised Bed Herb Garden

The first thing you'll need to do is build your raised bed. You can do this using wood planks or cinder blocks. Make sure your bed is at least 12 inches deep to allow for ample root growth. You'll also want to fill your bed with rich soil that drains well.

Next, you'll want to choose the herbs you'd like to grow. Some common choices include basil, thyme, parsley, oregano, and mint. You can also add edible flowers like lavender and chamomile for an extra pop of color and flavor.

Tips and Tricks for a Successful Raised Bed Herb Garden

1. Keep Your Herbs Well Watered

Herbs need regular watering to stay healthy and produce a good yield. Make sure your raised bed has good drainage to prevent water from pooling around your plants. Water your herbs deeply once or twice a week depending on the weather, and be sure to water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the foliage wet.

2. Provide Plenty of Sunlight

Most herbs need at least six hours of sunlight a day to thrive. Make sure your raised bed is located in an area that gets plenty of direct sunlight. If you're short on space, you can also grow herbs in containers that can be moved around as needed.

3. Pinch Back Your Herbs

When your herbs start to grow, it's important to pinch them back to encourage bushy growth. This will also help prevent your herbs from getting leggy and straggly. Pinch off the tips of your herbs once they reach 6-8 inches in height, and continue to do so throughout the growing season.

4. Fertilize Regularly

Herbs are heavy feeders, so you'll want to provide them with plenty of nutrients to help them grow. You can use a slow-release fertilizer or compost. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions when fertilizing your plants.

5. Harvest Often

Harvesting your herbs regularly will help keep your plants productive and healthy. Be sure to keep an eye on your plants and pick the leaves as they mature. If you don't harvest your herbs often enough, they can become woody and bitter.

Regardless of your experience level, a raised bed herb garden is a great way to enjoy fresh, flavorful herbs all season long. With the right soil, water, and sunlight, your herbs will thrive and provide you with an abundance of delicious flavor for all your culinary creations!