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Ivy Corner Growing Tips for Herbs


What is a Herb?
Technically, and to quote the Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening, a herb is "a plant of which the stem dies to the ground at the end of the season. Herbs may be annual, biennial or perennial". But there are some shrubs and trees that, although they do not fall into this technical definition, are still considered "herbs" for their aromatic nature, medicinal qualities or savoury flavour. Examples include thyme, rosemary and the sweet bay tree.

Herbs are tolerant of a wide range of conditions. They grow reasonably well with very little maintenance. Almost all herbs grow best in a sunny, open position. They thrive in a light, fertile and well-drained medium, but most will do well even in poor soil. Except for Sorrel, all herbs like alkaline conditions. Give them a light dressing of lime in Autumn and a complete fertiliser during the Spring.

Herbs and flowers mixed together make a colourful border for every kind of garden. Some herbs, like lavender and rosemary, can make neat hedges and boundary borders. Others, such as thymes, will cover the ground, even paving it with a fragrant, evergreen carpet. Chamomile and pennyroyal can be used either with grass or without, as lawn plants. Mints will cover a bank and usefully anchor the soil. Angelica brings beauty to shady areas.

Herbs can be divided into four main groups:

Vegetable Culture Herbs
Mediterranean Climate Herbs
Ample Summer Moisture Herbs
Suit Most Conditions Herbs

VEGETABLE CULTURE HERBS – Anise, Artichoke, Asparagus, Basil, Cayenne Chilli, Caraway, Catnip, Chervil, Chicory, Chives, Cumin, Coriander, Cress Winter, Dill, Endive, Fennel, Garlic, Horseradish, Lovage, Parsley, Rhubarb, Rocket, Salad Burnett, Strawberries, Welsh Onion.

These herbs may be companion-planted with vegetables to protect their growth and increase their flavour.

Tips:
High Soil Fertility
– use organic or complete inorganic fertilisers with high nitrogen contents at rates recommended for vegetables.

Limey Soil – soil pH at 6.5 – 7.5 gives excellent results. Add dolomite or lime if your pH is low.

Ivy Corner Constant Adequate Moisture – should be maintained in the warmer months. The tendency of the Parsley family to go to seed can be reduced by following the above Tips.


MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE HERBS – Catmint, Chamomile German, Curry Bush (Grey Leaf), Chamomile Dyers, Dianthus, French Tarragon, Geranium Scented, Germander, Hyssop, Lads Love, Lavenders, Lemon Verbena, Marjorams, Nasturtium, Oregano, Pineapple Sage, Pyrethrum, Rosemaries, Rue, Sage, Santolina, Savories, Thymes, Wormwoods, Yarrows.

Tips:
Low to Moderate Fertility – these plants thrive in mushroom compost used as a soil conditioner or surface mulch.

Limey Soil – as natives of chalky (limey) soil, a high pH of 7-8 protects them from root rot. Regular applications of dolomite are very beneficial.

Extremely Well Drained Soil – if you have a poorly drained clay soil, raised beds (20cm high) with the addition of gypsum and compost will improve drainage.
Ivy Corner
Underplant Watering – overhead irrigation in Summer can cause leaf fungal diseases. Instead use drip microjet or soaker hose irrigation.


AMPLE SUMMER MOISTURE HERBS – Angelica, Bay tree, Bergamot, Cardamom, Chamomile Lawn, Comfrey, Cress Water, Elderberry, Five-In-One, Heartsease, Lemon Balm, Lemon Grass, Lovage, Meadowsweet, Mints, Sorrel.

Tips:
High Soil Fertility
– as for Vegetable Culture Herbs above.

These herbs will not give of their best if allowed to dry out – especially in Summer. If regular watering is not practical, incorporate organic compost into the soil (using compost reduces the need to use animal manures, which can often introduce all manner of weeds to the garden if they are used uncomposted) Ivy Corner and also surface mulch to a height of 10cm to help retain moisture. The soil should have reasonable drainage rather than be boggy. Mints and Water Cress perform best in extremely wet conditions.


SUIT MOST CONDITIONS HERBS – Aloe Vera, Borage, Feverfew, Purple Coneflower, Tansy, Winter Tarragon. These herbs will grow in any of the abovementioned soils and/or conditions.


GROWING CONDITIONS FOR COMMON HERBS
ALOE VERA - the First Aid Plant

A perennial plant, propagate by division in Spring, Summer and Autumn. Plant 40cm apart in loamy, well-drained soil in full sun. Aloe vera will grow to 30cm (12 inches). It grows in a slowly spreading clump and rarely flowers. The flowers are, however, a reddish-orange and appear in Summer. The foliage of Aloe vera is fleshy with spiked edges. It will grow inside with extra care. It will rot if too wet and will not tolerate heavy frosts.
Basil - (Ocimum basilicum) - A half-hardy annual grown mainly in summer, forming a bush about half a metre tall. Basil thrives when watered regularly. It needs a loose, light, moist but well-drained soil, rich in humous in a warm, sunny, sheltered position. Don't cover the seeds with soil, just press them in with your fingers. Basil should be regularly pinched back to encourage bushy growth.

Sweet basil can flower quickly, so nip off the flower buds to encourage leave growth and prolong its life. Basil adapts well to container growing indoors.

You can also grow basil from cuttings (although they're not as sweet in flavour). Cut off a stem and take off the leaves of the bottom 10cm (4 inches). Then put it in a glass of water on a window sill for about 14 days. Don't forget to regularly change your water! It'll quickly form roots along its stem. Then you can transplant it into a pot outside to harden off for a week. Next it goes into the garden and before you know it you'll have another basil bush.

Chives - (Allium schoenoprasum - Allium sibiricum) - Chives are among the most ancient of herbs, being known nearly 5,000 years ago. A delicately onion-flavoured, perennial herb with lavender flowers, which will grow in any sunny position, forming thick clumps. Propagate by seed or root division in early Spring. Cover seeds lightly.

Chives are best in a reasonably rich, moist, well-cultivated soil to which compost has been aded. Chives thrive in a well-limed soil. They are at their best in Spring and Summer, but can be harvested and used all year round. The leaves should be cut regularly to provide new tender growth. Cut about two to three centimetres above the white stems. Chives planted among roses prevent greenfly. Chives grow to around 12 inches tall.

Comfrey - (Symphytum officinale) - This robust, clump-forming perennial has large, lance-shaped leaves and hanging clusters of pink, mauve or white flowers. Comfrey grows well in most soils but does not like very dry conditions. It is resilient and sends up fresh green leaves every season.

Although it is not a pretty plant, it is a good companion plant because it keeps the surrounding soil rich and moist. It can be evasive, however, and will smother smaller plants.

Lavender

Lavender needs full sun, alkaline soil, and good drainage. It is most important to plant it where it is well drained. Allow the soil to dry between waterings to discourage root rot. In areas where the foliage dies back in winter, prune back hard in early spring. Pick the flowers when the buds are just beginning to open; dry them on trays or hang them in small bunches.
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm - (Melissa officinalis) - A perennial herb (which can grow between 18in - 3ft) with a sharp, lemony scent and flavour. Lemon Balm is also known as "bee balm". It will grow in sun or part shade but does well in sunny places in rich, clay soil or rich soil and partial shade, although it can withstand quite dry conditions. Lemon Balm can be sown by seed directly in the soil during Spring (cover seeds lightly with soil - they germinate slowly) or propagated by division of older clumps. Protect in winter from frost.

Marjoram - (Origanum majorana - Majorana hortensis) - This is annual, biennial to perennial herb, up to 50cm (20 inches) high. Grows strongly on the edge of the herb garden or rock garden. It forms thick clumps with stems which run along the ground and themselve take root. Its growth is improved by regular division and replanting. It can be cut several times a year as it is hardy and grows easily. The soil should be light and lime-rich.

Mints - (Mentha ssp) - Grows strongly under average conditions but can only be propagated vegetatively with new plants obtained by dividing old clumps either in Spring or Autumn. Alternatively, underground shoots can be transplanted. Mint should be grown in humid, humus-rich soil in shady conditions. When growing in a container, slip mint roots inside a plastic bag to isolate the roots from other plants in the tub. Mint grown alone in a pot on a window-sill is best kept standing in a saucer of water. Fill the lower third of its depth with drainage materials such as broken flower pots, crocks, brick, shingles, pebbles or small stones. Even BBQ charcoals are excellent.

Parsley - (Petroselinum crispum - Petroselinum hortense) Parsley Plants can be used as ornamentals to provide bright green borders in the flowering garden. It is a biennial - perennial plant and can be planted all year round. Soak seeds overnight in warm water before sowing. Although parsley grows in quite poor soil, feed regularly and, for best flavour, harvest before the plant flowers. Propagate by seed or root pieces, which, if kept just covered with water, rapidly send out shoots. This herb is a perennial and flowers at the end of it's second year.

Sage - (Salvia officinalis) - a perennial semi-shrub reaching about 1m (3ft) Loves a sunny, well drained spot and is best grown in dry, lime-rich soil with sufficient sunlight. Can be grown from seed or by division of clumps, even very old clumps can be cut back hard and then divided into separate plants for replanting. It is harvested twice a year and the leaves should be collected before the flowering stage, at noon in dry weather. In Spring, the plants should be cut back to some 15cm (6in) above the ground to help the new foliage form.

Tarragon - (Artemisia dracunculus) - French tarragon is propagated from divisions during Spring, and not from seed. It is a perennial, densley branched plant reaching a height of up to 100cm (40in). Tarragon thrives in sunny spots, in well-fertilised soil. It can only be propagated by division as it grows shoots from underground rhizomes.

Thyme - (Thymus vulgaris) - An hardy, evergreen shrub (small, perennial) and a lover of dryish soil, thriving in the sun and rockeries and in most climates. Thyme grows 15 to 40cm (6 to 16in). Cultivate by dividing clumps of existing plants or by sowing seed in light, lime-rich, sandy soil. If you've got an existing thyme plant take a few cuttings a couple of inches long and strip the leaves from the bottom half. Dip this in rooting hormone powder and plant it. A few months later you'll have even more thyme. Thyme must have a dry, sunny spot and occasional watering. A good handful of limestone around the plants every now and then keeps the flavour sharp and the leaves aromatic.

Yarrow Achillea millefolium - Yarrow is a multi-functional perennial herb which thrives in most soil conditions. The variety known as Common Yarrow spreads rapidly, its narrow feathery leaves forming a matted ground cover. Yarrow is occasionally used as an alternative to grass in beach gardens as its foliage remains green even during periods of drought.

Yarrow produces clusters of minute white or pink flowers on a long stem. These are very decorative and long lasting.

SUNLIGHT
– Most herbs give their best flavour and fully develop their characteristic flavours if grown in full sun. However, a strong characteristic flavour can be had by exposure to as little as five hours sunshine a day.

PRUNING
– Perennial herbs tend to become woody lower down. This can be avoided by pruning the plants down to within 15cm of the soil. Be sure to leave some leaves on the plant. Regular pruning promotes more flavoursome growth.

PLANNING
– If you are planning an extensive herb garden, divide it into the three areas for the above three group of plants. You will find a harmony of foliage types within each group which will make your herb garden more visually appealing and easier to maintain.

The main planning task is to locate it in both a convenient place (ie: near the kitchen) which has good growing conditions.

DRAINAGE
- If your soil's drainage is poor, use large rocks to make a "pocket" and add a soil mixture. This will provide a kind of rock garden. The soil mixture should have mixed in with it a large amount of peat (about one third by bulk), along with some blue metal or similar to keep the soil texture open and free draining.

PROPAGATION

A sterilised seed-raising mix is the best choice when raising herbs from seed as this enables the seedlings to establish without competition from weeds.

Spring is the best time for raising most herbs from seed.

Summer to early Winter is ideal for perennial and shrubby plants such as mint, thyme, lavender and rosemary - all are easily raised from firm tip cuttings during this time.

Late Winter or early Spring is the time to propagate perennial clump-forming herbs and those with rhizomes, such as chives, thyme and mint.

Some vigorous herbs, such as mint and tarragon, are inclined to overrun other plants and should have their growth restricted. This can be done by planting them in bottomless containers or by sinking rigid plastic or treated boards into the ground around them.

PROPAGATING ROSEMARY:
Rosemary cuttings strike easily. You can take cuttings anytime but Autumn is probably the best time. Take cuttings that are semi-ripe - firm tip cuttings - ie: the stems are not fresh and green, nor are they stiff and woody - somewhere in between. Take them with a little "heel" of plant tissue from the main stem. Plant the cuttings in propagating mix (or a mixture of sharp sand and peat moss) and keep moist. Some of your cuttings will form roots and then start to shoot.

INDOOR GROWING Tips:

Winter supplies of fresh herbs can quite easily be grown in pots or boxes on a sunny window-sill. The best results indoors are obtained with perennials grown either from cuttings or divisions taken in Autumn. Chives, marjoram, mint, rosemary, sage, thyme and winter savory are all suitable for growing indoors. They will not last indefinitely, so take fresh cuttings each Autumn.

Herbs Some herbs, such as basil, dill and parsley, can be raised from seed outdoors in late Summer, and transplanted into pots in the Autumn for wintering indoors. Trying to grow herbs indoors from seed during the Winter is not usually successful.

Water plants regularly, and keep them away from draughts. If possible, stand the pots in gravel on a shallow tray and keep the gravel wet to maintain moist air around the plants.

Select a pot with plenty of drainage holes.

Use a well drained shrub type potting mix.

Incorporate a slow release fertiliser at the highest rate.

Ivy Corner Water with liquid fertiliser regularly if growth is slow.

Try for as much direct sunlight as possible to build in flavour.


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