Sign Up
Click on links below to jump to that question.
- Q.Herb Garden Help - My husband and I are wanting to plant an herb garden in the next couple of days. Our garden plot ...
- Q.To Dry Herbs Can I Cut Them Off The Stem. I Haven’t Pinched Them At All And I Would Like To Save Them Now - I am trying to harvest some herbs now. You wash them and then dry them right. Do you do it ...
- Q.Disease/pests Attacking My Herbs, Would Like Some Help! - Recently my mint and oregano have been looking brown in some parts, with black dots on the leaves and underside, ...
- Q.I Would Like A Book On All Herbs Meaning,use,spiritual Etc.do You Have One Or Can You Tell Me Where To Go? - i am 73 and have a hard time to understand things so i have to keep going back to reread ...
- Q.Winter Herbs & Flowers - what herbs grow well in the winter outside that I can plant with flowers alongside them?
- Q.Is It Too Late To Try And Grow Herbs, Or Flowers In My Back Yard In Chicago, Il - I have been a little lazy. I want to try and grow some flowers that will grow late in the ...
- Q.Can I Plant My Outside Herbs Inside My Home Before Cold Weather? - If my outside herbs can be successfully placed indoors, I don’t want any bugs coming in with them? How is ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
May 28, 2021Q.Herb Garden Help
My husband and I are wanting to plant an herb garden in the next couple of days. Our garden plot is about 6 by 4 ft. We have already mixed up the soil with a layer of peat moss. We live in Ohio so the ground is very clay like. This is the first time I had planted a garden and so wanted to test the soil. The pH tested at 8 or very alkaline. Research I had done suggested that herbs liked a pH between 6.5 and 7. Would the peat moss be sufficient to reduce the pH of the garden? I also tested the soil for phosphorus,potassium, and nitrogen. The test came back that the soil was very low for all three of the nutrients. For herbs, would I need to put a fertilizer to help the herbs grow? We already have the plants and are ready to go into the soil. We did not start from seed.I did not know if I should purchase a fertilizer with NPK and put into the ground before planting the herbs? Johnnah
Answered by
GKH_Susan on
June 2, 2021
Certified ExpertA.I think the peat moss should work; your different plants are going to have slightly different preferences but the most important thing is to make sure there's great drainage so they don't get waterlogged. You can fertilize them, but be careful not to overdo it, since you will lose flavor and potency if you feed them too much. Here's some info:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/plant-herb-garden.htmWas this answer useful?00
Join Us -
Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!
- Asked by
Anonymous on
July 26, 2021Q.To Dry Herbs Can I Cut Them Off The Stem. I Haven’t Pinched Them At All And I Would Like To Save Them Now
I am trying to harvest some herbs now. You wash them and then dry them right. Do you do it just on the counter ?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
August 14, 2021
Certified ExpertA.It's best to leave them on the stem to dry. Here is how:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/how-to-dry-herbs-various-methods.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
September 12, 2021Q.Disease/pests Attacking My Herbs, Would Like Some Help!
Recently my mint and oregano have been looking brown in some parts, with black dots on the leaves and underside, as well as some white powdery bits on the leaves too. I've looked in the soil and there seems to be bugs crawling, they hop away when you try to touch them. I think their larvae look like worms as well. My guess is either fungus gnats or thrips, but I can't tell. Would my herbs still be safe to harvest or should I throw them away? Also, are thrips attracted to compost soil? As it seems to affect my plants with compost in it. Would like some help, thanks!
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
September 23, 2021
Certified ExpertA.This appears to be Downy Mildew. Unfortunately, this infection favors overly wet conditions. This will draw in insects that feed on the infection, the plant, and other fungi in the soil.
Fungicides can help, but starting over with fresh soil will be much faster and fruitful. You will want to make sure that the soil dries out on top between waterings.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/growing-herbs-indoors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/herb-plants-growing-in-one-pot.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/growing-herbs-in-containers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/general-care-for-your-herb-garden.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
pawpii66 on
October 14, 2021
jaffrey nhQ.I Would Like A Book On All Herbs Meaning,use,spiritual Etc.do You Have One Or Can You Tell Me Where To Go?
i am 73 and have a hard time to understand things so i have to keep going back to reread Thank you
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
October 14, 2021
Certified ExpertA.Sure! We have several articles that will help you, here:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/herbs-that-ward-off-evil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/healing-herb-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/medicinal-herb-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/the-medieval-herb-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/landscaping-with-medicinal-plants.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
November 3, 2021Q.Winter Herbs & Flowers
what herbs grow well in the winter outside that I can plant with flowers alongside them?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
November 8, 2021
Certified ExpertA.In your zone 9b, it can still get below freezing, so perennial herbs will die back and return in spring. Annual herbs will die back in a freeze but won't return unless they reseed.
Only cool/cold hardy flowers will continue to bloom during winter. For example, pansies, violas, are cold hardy annuals. They will bloom during the cool months and die out in the heat of summer. Hellebores are perennials that bloom in late winter or early spring. Winter jasmine is a late winter blooming shrub. In answer to your question, perennial herbs like chives and sage could pair well with pansies and violas.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/herbs-that-survive-winter.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-4/growing-annuals-in-zone-4.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
lindastewardn on
July 10, 2022
ChicagoQ.Is It Too Late To Try And Grow Herbs, Or Flowers In My Back Yard In Chicago, Il
I have been a little lazy. I want to try and grow some flowers that will grow late in the summer.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
July 12, 2022
Certified ExpertA.You can start your Autumn garden indoors around this time, under lights, so that it can be ready in time to set out!
In the meantime, these articles will help you to get started:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fgen/plants-fall-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/fall-garden-guide-for-beginners.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
August 26, 2022Q.Can I Plant My Outside Herbs Inside My Home Before Cold Weather?
If my outside herbs can be successfully placed indoors, I don’t want any bugs coming in with them? How is this done?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
September 10, 2022
Certified ExpertA.You can bring them in if you have enough light for them. They need a sunny spot or supplemental lighting. To remove bugs, rinse the foliage off well and I suggest repotting them in fresh potting soil to get rid of any soil dwelling bugs or eggs.
Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/growing-herbs-indoors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/growing-indoor-herbs-in-low-light.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/preserving-herbs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/how-to-overwinter-herbs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/herbs-that-survive-winter.htm
Was this answer useful?00
Do you know a lot about gardening?
Become a GKH Gardening Expert
X
Join Us -
Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!