![]() Pay dirt: How to Raise Herbs and Produce for Serious Cash. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., Pleasantville, NY. Good sources of mulch include bark chips, straw, and leaves. Mulching at least 4 inches deep at the base of the plant can increase soil temperatures enough to prevent cold damage to the herb roots. The cold temperatures of winter may damage or kill some perennial herbs. ![]() The woody or dead center of the plant can be removed and placed in a compost pile. Be sure to water the sections after replanting to aid in establishment. Sections can be replanted in new locations. Use a shovel to cut the plant into sections taking as much root as possible. Divide herbs in early spring or fall when the plant becomes too large or the center dies, usually every two to four years. Several perennial herbs will benefit from division including: tarragon ( Artemisia dracunculus), sweet woodruff ( Galium odoratum), horehound ( Marrubium vulgare), oregano ( Origanum spp.), chives ( Allium spp.), lovage ( Levisticum spp.), mints ( Mentha spp.), lavender ( Lavandula spp.), and thyme ( Thymus spp.). Additional Care for Perennial Herbs Division Avoid over irrigation, as herb flavor may be negatively affected. When needed, irrigate until the top 6 to 8 inches of the soil are moist. Fertilizing promotes plant growth, which can make the plant vulnerable to damage or death from cold winter temperatures.Ĭheck soil moisture using a trowel, moisture meter, or your fingers, and irrigate when the soil is dry a few inches below ground. Stop fertilizing perennial plants when fall temperatures are around freezing. Fertilization should be based on soil-test recommendations. In general, herbs do not require large amounts of fertilizer and will lose flavor when over-fertilized. A good trick is to cover the seed packet with plastic (plastic wrap or baggies work well) and staple it to a wooden stake or use the ready-made plant label that came with the purchased plant. Label the herbs individually or at the end of a row as a reminder of what was planted. Avoid overcrowding because it can lead to favorable environments for insect and disease pests. Proper spacing will facilitate optimal plant growth. ![]() When planting, space herbs according to the recommendations on seed packets or plant labels. ![]() ( Coriandrum sativum), cumin ( Cuminum cyminum), parsley ( Petroselinum crispum), fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare), caraway ( Carum carvi), and borage ( Borago officinalis). These include anise ( Pimpinella anisum), chervil ( Anthriscus cerefolium), dill ( Anethum graveolens), cilantro/coriander It is important to note that some herbs do not transplant well and should be directly sown from seed. Versey's Seeds PO Box 9000 Charlottetown, PE, Canada, C1A 8K6 1-80.White Flower Farm 30 Irene St Torrington, CT 06790 1-80.Seeds of Change PO Box 15700 Santa Fe, NM 87506 1-88.Territorial Seed Company PO Box 158 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 1-54.Johnny's Selected Seeds 184 Foss Hill Road Albion, ME 04910 1-20.Richter's Herbs Goodwood, Ontario LOC 1AO, Canada 1-90.The following companies are highlighted because they offer a wide variety of herbs, and orders can be completed by the telephone, mail, or online. Plant companies can be readily found online. Often, you can find a wider variety of seeds and transplants through plant companies than garden centers. It is difficult to impossible to improve plant quality. When purchasing transplants, pick plants free of insect and disease pests and that look healthy. Seeds and transplants are commonly purchased at garden centers. Herbs should be planted based on the recommendations on the seed packet or plant label. Removing the entire weed, including the roots, will prevent weeds from vegetatively propagating. This is also a good time to remove any weeds from the soil. Mix peat, horticultural sand, vermiculite, and/or compost in with the soil, backfill the area, and then level the soil. To correct this problem, remove the top 12 inches of soil from the area that will be planted in the early spring prior to planting. If water remains pooled on the top of the soil several hours after watering or a rain event, then the soil drainage is poor and should be amended to improve water infiltration. It is best to plant herbs in soil with good drainage. For example, chervil ( Anthriscus cerefolium) grows best in full shade, thyme ( Thymus spp) will grow well in partial shade to full sun, and sage ( Salvia officinalis) grows best in full sun. This information can be found on seed packets or plant labels. Select the herbs to be grown based on the light exposure of the site they will be planted in. Herbs can be incorporated into any garden, planted in spaces between shrubs and trees, or be grown formally in a garden of their own. Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow because they tolerate a variety of soil types and have relatively few insect and disease pests.
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