4 Gardening Methods for a Thriving Herb Garden (and Some of My Favorite Fails!)
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For years, I dreamed of having my own medicinal herb garden. Fresh plant tinctures straight from the ground, a closet bursting with drying herbs... it seemed like the ultimate herbalist's paradise. But as many of you know, the reality of gardening can be a bit more, shall we say, earthy than the dream.
Over the years, my family and I have experimented with various gardening methods in a variety of settings here in Central Texas. From sprawling acreage to tiny patios, heavily wooded areas to unforgivingly hilly ground, we've battled rocky soil and temperamental weather to find what truly works.
But through it all, we've discovered some fantastic techniques for cultivating a thriving herb garden. In this post, I'll walk you through four of them:
Raised Bed Gardening
Container Gardening
Hydroponics
In-ground Gardening
I'll share some of our favorite (and not-so-favorite) experiences with each, and wrap up with a few tips and tricks to help you achieve your own herbal haven’t
Pro Tip: For those interested, one way we have chosen to enhance our soil biome and potency in growing is by vermicomposting (worm farming) for the past 2 years. We do it all in our garage and have been practicing this great practice. We can confidently tell a difference in a majority of our herbs and gardens. If you are interested in a $6 course of how to start a worm from from start to finish for your home you can check out our course here! Its a lot easier than you think. Plus your organic kitchen scraps can go to the worms!
Soil Testing: Why is it important to assess the quality of your soil?
Testing the soil offers information about the pH level and nutrients present in your soil. This is especially helpful when thinking about what herbs to grow where and how to supplement them the best. You might have goals already of specific herbs to grow, and if you do knowing their ideal conditions can help you get the best investment.
Soil pH Level Explanation: The pH level indicates whether your soil is acidic or alkaline in nature. A factor for herb growth success! Herbs generally prefer an acidic to neutral pH range (around 6 to 7). If your soil veers much, towards acidity or alkalinity extremes it could impact the availability of nutrients and hamper the growth of your beloved herbs.
Soil macro/micronutrients: Understanding the composition of your soil is important as it helps you make the necessary adjustments for optimal plant growth and health by ensuring a sufficient supply of essential nutrients such, as nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Our gardens need all of this, and this is where you will see the “slow-acting” fertilizers and “fast-acting” fertilizers differentiate themselves from each other.
Ways to check the quality of your soil
Here are some methods you can use to check the quality of your soil:
At Home Test Kits: You can easily find home test kits, at garden stores to quickly check your soils pH and nutrient levels. We recommend the MySoil test kit. Another at home option is the Sunday Soil Test Kit. We use there organic minded products for supplementing our lawn. While you don’t have to have a subscription or use their products, their soil test analysis believe or not is very in-depth. Might be a hack to try.
Quick Hack: To conduct a pH test at home without fancy equipment or kits. Try this quick hack. Sprinkle vinegar on a bit of soil and observe any fizzing to determine if it's alkaline or acidic. Another method is to sprinkle baking soda on another portion of soil and see if it fizzes up to indicate acidity. All in all however, lean into a At Home test kit if the budget allows!
Professional Analysis: For the precise and thorough analysis of soil composition and quality assessment purposes it is recommended to submit a soil sample to a certified laboratory, for testing. Your nearby agricultural extension office may offer assistance in arranging this service for you.
Deciphering the Findings:
After receiving your soil test results and evaluating them carefully you can proceed to make any necessary adjustments to improve the quality of your soil.
Adjusting pH levels: you can make it more acidic by adding sulfur or peat moss or make it more alkaline by adding lime and egg shells.
Enhancing Soil Nutrition: Improve your soil quality by incorporating compost or manure to replenish nutrients or using suitable fertilizers as needed. This is where we recommend using OMRI-Listed products if you are organically minded.
By knowing what your soil is made of helps you set up the conditions, for your herbs to thrive by providing them with the essential nutrients they require for healthy growth.
Examples of herbs and their ideal pH levels and soil conditions: (Referential Use Only)
Herbs that thrive in soil with an acidic pH level of around 6-6.5:
Rosemary thrives in soil that's well drained and slightly acidic in nature You can enhance the growth of rosemary by incorporating pine needles or coffee grounds into the soil to create an optimal environment, for its growth.
Coriander, a loved herb in cooking thrives best in soil that is slightly acidic and well draining soil conditions are ideal, for its growth.
Chives are herbs that do well in soil that is slightly acidic and rich, in organic matter so adding compost or leaf mold to your soil can help create the ideal environment for chives to grow well.
Herbs that thrive in soil, with alkaline levels around 7-7.5
The aromatic plant lavender thrives in soil that's well drained and slightly alkaline in nature. If your soil tends to be too acidic in composition you can improve its pH level by incorporating lime to create a hospitable environment, for lavender to grow successfully.
Oregano is a herb that can thrive in various pH levels; however it tends to flourish in slightly alkaline environments. Boost the pH. Enrich your soil with calcium by incorporating crushed eggshells.
Thyme is a herb that thrives in soil with a slightly alkaline pH level so it's important to improve drainage by mixing in some sand or perlite, with your soil.
Raised Bed Gardening: Conquering Texas Soil
Here in Central Texas, with its hard, dry, rocky soil, raised beds have been a game-changer. They allow you to create the perfect growing environment without breaking your back (or your shovel!). Plus, there's a ton of design flexibility, making it easy to find a style that suits your space.
Our family testing out raised bed gardening with a simple concrete block construction
Pros:
Great soil control: You control the quality and composition of your soil with careful planning.
Easy to manage: Transplanting, planting, and replacing herbs is a breeze.
Crop Rotation: Makes this easy to achieve
Cons:
Can get pricey: Building materials and soil can add up.
More work upfront: Requires initial effort to build and fill the beds.
Setup: Sometimes the setup can be permanent depending on your space and home.
We enjoy this high level overview of Raised Beds from Garden Answer
Container Gardening: My Unexpected Love Affair
I never thought I'd be a container gardener. I struggled to keep even a few potted plants alive! But then I discovered the Greenstalk vertical garden, and it completely changed my perspective especially doing this with four kids and needing to capitalize on vertical growing! Yall these things are perfect for herbs!
Now, I can grow both native and non-native herbs year-round. I've even had perennials survive the winter and thrive again in the spring. The accessories are fantastic – I have mine on casters for easy rotation, and I'm eyeing a cover to protect my herbs during the colder months. And the watering system? Genius! It makes caring for dozens of plants incredibly simple.
Pros:
Great soil control: Just like raised beds, you choose the perfect soil.
Portable: Easily move your garden to accommodate changing weather conditions.
Easy watering: The Greenstalk system simplifies watering significantly. It’s drip irrigation carries down from top to bottom.
Versatile: Accessories like covers and bug nets help address various challenges.
Cons:
Cost of accessories: While the Greenstalk itself is reasonably priced, the accessories can add up.
Hydroponics: High-Tech Herbs
While I am not a veteran in hydroponics, we enjoyed our hydroponic system when using it to grow herbs! We kept it inside and it ended up being a great experiment and also investment into our personal home made salads :).
We decided to use the 4.0 Gardyn System which ended up being great. We chose not to use the app subscription for the long term but could easily use it, clean it, and more while in our home. Try to keep it out of reach for toddlers. I personally think it does better in a garage environment or maybe somewhere not your complete ideal living space unless you want it as a place of attention (It is very beautiful). I loved the constant supply of fresh herbs and veggies – it was incredibly productive! Just as a word of caution. Mold does grow sometimes on your home grown pods or even around the root base of your herbs/vegetables. If you are conscious of a mold issue this might not be for you. However, if you're diligent with maintenance, though, this shouldn't be a problem.
Pros:
Space-saving: Ideal for small spaces or those without a yard.
High yield: Maximize your growing area with vertical hydroponic systems.
Year-Round Growing: You grow year round and don’t stop. It’s pretty awesome.
Controlled environment: Less susceptible to pests and diseases.
Cons:
Expensive: Hydroponic systems require a significant initial investment.
Mold risk: Proper maintenance is crucial to prevent mold growth.
Upkeep: Requires consistent attention to water and nutrient levels.
In-Ground Gardening: Connecting with the Earth
Next to my Greenstalk, in-ground gardening is my favorite method. There's something deeply satisfying about working with native soil, improving its health, and nurturing plants in their natural environment. It's hard work, but the rewards are immense. Below are images of us with two in ground gardens located in Central Texas. Both produced great even despite the rocky and hard soil in this area.
Pros:
Cost-effective: Utilizes existing soil and often requires fewer materials.
Environmentally friendly: Encourages natural soil health and biodiversity.
Cons:
Labor intensive: Preparing the soil and managing weeds can be physically demanding.
Soil limitations: You'll need to amend your soil to address any deficiencies.
Tips for Herb Garden Success
No matter which method you choose, keep these factors in mind:
Your gardening zone: Ensure your chosen herbs are suitable for your climate. (Here's a chart to help you determine your gardening zone: [insert link to a gardening zone chart])
Soil health: Healthy soil is essential for healthy herbs. Test your soil, add amendments as needed, and consider supplementing with vermicast for added minerals.
Weather/climate/timing: Pay close attention to the specific needs of your chosen herbs. Some prefer shade, others need full sun. Some are drought-tolerant, while others require frequent watering. Understand their preferences and adjust your care accordingly.
Happy gardening! May your herb garden flourish and provide you with an abundance of fragrant, flavorful, and healing plants.
