The Beginner's Herb Garden: An Herb Society of America Guide
Garden Design
Garden Plans
| The size and type of garden depends on personal interest, time, space
and family needs. It is wise to start in a modest way and increase the scope
as inclination and experience dictate. An herb garden may be informal with
a mixture of herbs, flowers and vegetables, or it may be formal with paths
and herb beds laid out in simple or complex patterns. Paths or walks can be
made of a number of materials, such as brick, stone, gravel, wood chips or grass,
but in each case they should be wide enough to accommodate a garden cart or mower. For persons with limited space, herbs grown in a variety of containers
make an attractive display on a balcony, walk or patio. |
A square garden enclosed with a boxwood hedge. The rondel effect
in the center could be lawn and might accommodate garden furniture
or statuary. |
| Choose an area for growing herbs on which the sun shines
4 to 6 hours or more per day. The afternoon sun is strongest and is preferable
in northern climates. In the South, herbs benefit from some shade in the
afternoon. However, if you have a shady yard there are a number of herbs
that will do well for you. (See the Herbs for Shade list.) The site must be well drained.
If water remains on top of the soil, drainage is poor and herb growth will be
unsatisfactory. If a badly drained site is the only one available, tiling may be
installed, or, less expensively, raised beds may be constructed. Raised beds
can be built with extra soil kept in place by |
A raised bed of herbs using railroad ties
to retain soil. Ties should not have been
creosoted, as this substance is
detrimental to plants. |
| edgings of brick, stone or landscape
timbers. A mounded bed does not require an edging at all, however, this look is
more appropriate in an informal plan. Adding a great deal of organic matter
to the top 2 feet of soil can also improve drainage in heavy clay soils. |
Next section: Choice of Plants
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