Question by : Are herb garden kits a good way to start my new herb garden hobby?
Best answer:
Answer by John Black
herb gardens are fun and easy, and yes they are a great way to acquire knowledge and interest in a new hobby. Plus they are rewarding as you will thoroughly enjoy the harvests. Just don’t pay too much because the components can be easily (cheaply) purchased individually
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Thats how I got started. I bought a small kit in a local store and from then on I found it to be totally relaxing, and a great way to “blow off steam” and relax. Not all of my friends understand how a grown man can enjoy this hobby, but for me it is 2nd only to fishing in terms of relaxing. I don’t buy stuff locally anymore, typically I find what I need on the internet, usually at the sites I reference below, but there are lots of places to search.
Hey George,
I agree with what others have said. The only thing is–in terms of kits–you can’t really select your own herbs since you pretty much have to go with what’s in the kit. It’s a fine way to start, but herbs are SO easy to grow, I wonder if you’d find it more fun deciding what you want to grow and go from there.
This might help you get started. . . Do you want to grow culinary herbs? Are you a cook? If so, you can for sure find either seeds (online sources abound–see my link below) or little plants (again, locally or via online sources). So let’s say you begin with basil, thyme, oregano, and parsley. Four really easy plants to grow, and they all require much the same cultivation and care.
I grow all my herbs in pots, so they can be right outside my kitchen door. I have so much basil at the end of the summer, I’m always making pesto and freezing it. Really, herbs are among the easiest plants to grow, so think about really getting exatly what you want to grow and going from there.
Maybe start them in pots–it’s so simple to do. Layer the bottom of the pot (use ones with holes) with pebbles, gravel, whatever will let the soil drain and keep it in the pot. Put in some good potting soil from your local nursery, pop in the plants (after you tease open the root system), water well, and set them in a sunny location. You can add some time-released fertilizer to the soil if you want (Osmacote is a reliable one). When your finger up over the first knuckle is dry, water well so that the water drains out the bottom.
That’s it. Plus, you can grow herbs that flower and use the edible flowers as well as the leaves.
For more info. about what herbs to grow and how to grow them, check out the links below.
Have fun,
Virginia
It is a great way to start. They grow easily and you can plant them in small containers so during the winter you can move them inside with no problem.