Question by Gabe Z: Im trying to start an Herb garden in Louisiana, need to know info-Raised or not? Where? how to keep dog away?
Since im in south louisiana, I need to raise it, but How? what structure to build? and stuff like that… it would really help if there was a website with pictures to lead me through this step by step…like sreiously, baby steps!
Best answer:
Answer by reynwater
First you must have full, all day sun for herbs. There are lots of techniques for “raised gardening”, you may not need it if you have well drained soil (water doesn’t pool).
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=raised+gardens&ygmasrchbtn=web+search&fr=ush-ans
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=square+foot+gardening&ygmasrchbtn=web+search&fr=ush-ans
Fence to keep dogs away. Wait until spring to plant.
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I beg you — Please call the Louisiana State University Cooperative Extension Service and ask for all the pamphlets they have on growing herbs in your area, including specific herbs, soil preparation best for each kind, and whether you plan to grow from seed or buy plants. They will have all sorts of information, free.
Southern LA and MS are horrible places to grow anything, due to heat and practically no top soil. Authors of southern gardening books usually just don’t talk about the southern half of those states..and people who do serious gardening there are rare. Even gardeners in the northern parts of MS and LA have no idea of what goes on in the southern parts. It is a different world. You do not need to construct a raised bed of wood, just hill up the dirt. Irrigation may be needed for thirstier kinds of herbs, e.g., basil. You may also have to consider fire ants. (In Gulf Coast MS, I dug down among plants and came up with a mittful of the things.)
The best gardening book I know is GARDENING IN THE HUMID SOUTH, by Edmund N. O’Rourke Jr., and Leon C. Standifer. Both are former professors of horticulture at Louisiana State Univ. The book was published by Louisiana State Univ. Press, Baton Rouge. It is probably in every library along the Coast, but if not in yours, you can easily borrow it on interlibrary loan. It is packed with info., includes diagrams (even of tools) and steps. It is also fun to read. The two profs, close friends, have a terrific sense of humor…but do not always agree. Therefore each gets his chance to explain why the other is all wrong. Unfortunately, they do not cover herbs specifically — every thing else, yes, e.g., annuals and perennials in general, bed preparation, water, building a simple irrigation system… Consult the Extension Service for details on growing herbs.
The professors prove that what you want to do can be done. Good luck.
Another source of info you might look into — keep tabs on — is: http://davesgarden.com/ This is a site for exchange of information among gardeners. You never know what you might find…or when it might appear. Info is not as reliable as LSU, but still, useful things do crop up.
A fence is the only thing I know that will keep out a dog. We had a small dog, therefore small fencing was satisfactory. A friend of mine with a large dog put up 3-ft-high fencing, attached to sturdy wood posts. We gave up on fencing, however — too much area — just let dog go ahead and sit on plants. They survived.