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Growing Basil – Tips on Growing Basil

Herbman — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:44:11 +0000

Herbs can benefit life in many ways. Growing basil, Ocimum basilicum, is an super way to spice up the garden and your favorite recipes. Unknown to most, basil is actually a member of the mint family! Although there is a few different varieties of basil, sweet basil is the most popular and well known. This herb is well known for flavoring foods and in its long past has been used for folk remedies.

Folklore-

Growing basil has a special significance in many cultures throughout the world. Indians swore oaths with basil leaves in court. Italian lovers would wear a piece of basil in their hair when courting ladies. The Mexicans thought it would bring back a cheating lover if you walked around carrying basil.

Medicinal use-

Growing basil can provide major health benefits. The plant contains beta carotene, naturally packed with vitamin A. Basil, is a cure-all herb that can treat many disorders and ailments from headaches to indigestion. There are so many benefits derived from basil, that it is known as the ‘King of Herbs’.

How to Grow Basil-

Growing basil can be childs-play. The seed can be sown indoors, then transplanting outside at a later date. If you lack the space for growing basil outdoors, it can be grown inside. The plant needs plenty of sun to thrive. You can use fluorescent ’grow’ bulbs if there is inadequate lighting in your home.

Sow the seed in a warm time of year, about 1″ apart. After a few leaves have grown, the basil can then be re-planted. But, always be sure the last frost has past.

Organic mulch should be added to the surface about 3” deep. Water about once a week, preferably in the morning. Do not over fertilize because this action diminishes the unique fragrance of the plant.

When re-planting, dig the herbs in at least 1 – 1 feet apart from each other, to ensure appropriate growing space. Growing basil has two main requirements: well draining soil, and a sunny, but damp area.

Basil should be pruned fortnightly to increase its hardiness. To do this, clip the leaves back, but stop ¼ inch above the node. This is to ensure enough foliage is left for growth to continue. Deadhead any flower stems to make sure the plant stays in production.

It’s a good idea when growing basil, to plant it near your tomato vines. Both of these plants require above average sunlight, and watering, so it is convenient to place them close to each other. Basil next to tomato – like bolognese sauce! Basil also acts as a natural insect repellent, either in the home kitchen, or to keep pests away from other plants.

After 6” of growth, the top leaves are ready to be clipped. This herb has been known to reach heights of up to 24 inches. Growing basil not only adds to your culinary delights, it is delightful addition in the garden.

How to Grow Basil

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Growing Basil – Tips on Growing Basil is a post from: HerbGardenFacts.com

Growing Thyme – How to Grow Thyme

Herbman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:52:19 +0000

The future, with the threat of global warming coming nearer, it’s now a great time to begin growing thyme. With planting thyme and other plants, enthusiasts have found a way to renew the soil with organic nutrients, helping to save the earth.

Gardeners have contributed to the “going green” process, long before it was cool!

Thyme, sometimes named Thymus vulgaris, is a nice smelling and hardy member of the mint species. Thyme has been grown and used for many milennia. Small, aromatic flowers bloom and add a picturesque border around gardens. The taste is reminiscent of lemon combined with a hint of mint, and can be ideal for seasoning.

Instructions on Growing Thyme–

Sow the seed indoors in a sunny location at the beginning of spring. Growing thyme can be as simple as child’s play. As a matter of fact, you could even include your young ones in the gardening activities. This may even put the next generation on the right path to protecting the environment. Shortly after roots are established, it is time to bring it outside, for the real fun to begin!

When growing Thyme out-side, the plant prefers direct sunlight. Thyme is not too picky about soil requirements (I told you it was going to be easy!) and a bright, sandy bed that drains well will do fine. Growing thyme in arid, lean soil usually produces a higher fragrance and taste in the herb.

It is not very good for your body or the herbs when using toxic garden chemicals. Unknown to most, plants actually have an immune system that naturally resists pests and diseases. Make your own natural compost from kitchen waste or simply buy an organic mix.

You can use cornmeal as an insecticide. Enrich the soil with straw to take care of the population of weeds. Clipped grass and trimmings from shrubs or bushes can be used for mulching purposes.

Thyme prefers the minimum of plant food. overwatering is a danger when growing thyme. When fertilizers get flushed away, it can end up polluting our important water system. Poisonous chemicals contaminates drinking water, and it can kill marine life.

Using low phosphate, ozone-friendly fertilizer when growing thyme, so you will feed the plants without hurting the balance of nature.

Water at regular times while growing thyme and try to avoid saturating the soil. The number one plant killer is over watering. By saving water, you eventually save a large amount of water, and time. Be responsible and remember that Thyme does not require a lot of watering.

Growing Thyme can invite birds, insects, and other wildlife to your yard. These wildlife visitors are natures way of controlling pests.

To maintain the best yield throughout the growing season, never let the growing thyme come to flower. Thyme harvest is around mid summer, just before flowering. You simply need to snip a few stems off for harvesting. When growing thyme from seed, allow a few before cutting them. An advantage is that Thyme can also be cut late into the winter.

Thyme’s minty tang is tasty in stews, soups and meats. Casseroles and baked vegetables has a delicately sweet taste when flavored with the herb. For a lovely dinner, try cooking salmon with a few sprigs of thyme.

Using recycled landscape materials as apposed to purchasing new, when making plans for growing thyme in the back yard. Gardening is a worthwhile project to involve the entire family. It’s a good source of clean air, exercise, a healthy diet, and more cash in our banks!

Growing Herbs : How to Grow Thyme