Herb Garden, Natural Delights

Working with Your Herb Garden

by Lorri Amsden

“For all things produced in a garden whether of salads or fruits, a poor man will eat better that has one of his own, than a rich man that has none.” – John Claudius Lourdes, Scottish Botanist 1783-1843

While early spring is often too cold to start many plants in the ground, it is a perfect time to get outside and enjoy the warming weather by starting a container herb garden. There is nothing quite like working with the sun on your shoulders and your hands in the dirt as you tend plants until they yield a harvest.

The act of working with the earth, under the blue sky and helping something grow is very therapeutic. A study in the Neuroscience Journal from 2007 found that exposure to the bacteria found in dirt boosts Serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that affects sleep cycles, moods and memory. Low levels of serotonin are linked to aggression, anxiety and depression. Many gardeners already know that running their naked finger through the soil not only makes their spirits soar but grounds them in the shifting of the seasons.

 
Getting Started with your Herb Garden

If you are starting from seeds, you can get a jump on the season by planting in a sunny window and allowing the seeds to sprout indoors. Seeds need warmth to germinate. You can use a cold frame by setting a piece of glass on top of your pot after you have planted and watered The glass will trap the heat, creating a greenhouse effect, so your seed will be able to sprout in cooler temperatures.  When they are seedings, they can be transferred to your herb garden.

 
Using Seedlings in your Herb Garden

Seedlings for your herb garden can be purchased in packs, ready to plant in sunny spots or containers outdoors. Just prepare your growing area and gently remove the plant, careful not to damage the stem or leaves as you keep the root-ball intact and insert into prepared soil. Do not bury the plant deeper than the top of the root-ball. Burying the stem may cause it to rot.