How Often Should You Water Herbs?
I’ve had a small herb garden in my backyard for a few months. I’ve never been too sure about the amount of water herbs are supposed to receive. But, after much research, I’ve figured out how to keep my herb garden healthy and long-lasting!
So, how often should I water my herbs? When it comes to watering herbs, the best advice is to be patient and take it slow. Don’t drown your plants! Herbs need water, but too much of it can kill them. If your plants are inside your house, make sure they receive natural light during the day (which will encourage them to grow).
Many who start off growing herbs think that it’s a lot easier than having an actual garden. However, herbs are slightly harder to grow than vegetables (which need a lot of water).
How Often To Water Herbs
Remember that you should water your herb garden every couple of days. If it’s hot outside, the plants will receive more water than usual. Other than this, however, they can go days without being watered.
If your plants aren’t doing well, you can always check to make sure that they receive the right amount of water. If the leaves are still green and healthy-looking, then there’s no need to water them (especially if it’s raining). However, if the leaves begin to turn yellow or wilt, then these plants should be watered more often.
When you notice that some of the leaves are beginning to fade, this is a sign that water is needed!
Remember: herbs don’t like a lot of water! How often should I water my herbs? The best advice is to keep an eye on them and see how they’re doing. Too much watering can kill plants easily.
How Do I Know When It’s Time to Replace My Herbs?
Gardeners love herbs for their beauty and fragrance. From subtle flavor accents to natural pest control, they’re an easy way to get started with your edible garden!
Most herbs can be kept for 2 months or more by following these regular maintenance procedures:
- Remove old stems and leaves regularly to prevent insects or disease
- Water herbs when the top 1 inch of soil is dry to the touch
- Feed every 2 months with an all-purpose fertilizer for vegetables, following package directions.
- Divide clumps in spring by cutting stems back to 6 inches and pulling apart roots gently.
- Place the plant in a light area with good air circulation, but not too much sun or wind to dry out the herbs.
- Use potting soil that is rich in organic matter. Since herbs are quite hardy, you can use soil that contains small particles of bark or horticultural grit for added drainage.
- Make sure there’s enough sunlight throughout the day. The plants should receive 6-8 hours of sunlight a day.
- Don’t water them too much! Keep it to a minimum, but don’t let the plants wilt. We recommend watering your herbs every 2 or 3 days for optimal health.
What Causes an Over-Watered Plant?
An over-watered plant is a waterlogged plant. This can cause it to become too watery and lead to root rot, among other things. Overwatering your plant is one of the most common hazards for houseplants, so you should know how this happens – and how you can stop it – if you want to have a healthy indoor garden!
Let’s take a look at some of the causes of overwatering. One major problem that leads to waterlogged plants is bad information about the watering schedule or frequency.
If someone hasn’t taught you exactly how much water is needed per week (or even per month), then there’s no way for them to tell if they’re doing something wrong or if you are.
Ideally, water should be given whenever the top of the soil is dry to the touch, which can also cause problems if things are kept too wet for long periods. Warmer water will evaporate faster than cold water, so this may need to be taken into account as well!
Another common reason for waterlogged plants is overfilling the water reservoir. The pot needs to have a hole in it somewhere where excess water can drain away – usually through the drainage holes at the bottom of your plant’s container.
If these become fused shut or filled with plant matter, then you’re essentially asking for trouble!
Best Long-Lasting Herbs to Plant In Spring
The best herbs to plant in your garden in the Spring are those that will best last throughout the year. This means you want herbs that can grow and survive for a long time, best under different kinds of weather conditions. So let’s take a look at some of the best long-lasting herbs to plant in Spring!
Basil
The best herb to start with is basil. You can grow several different kinds of basil in your garden at once since they can survive in a variety of conditions. They are best grown on the ground if you plan to harvest them regularly, but if you just want long-lasting benefits then try growing them indoors or up an A-frame!
Oregano
Oregano is another great herb for adding flavor to your dishes. It’s best used with Mediterranean foods like Italian pasta, so it is best planted around trees that can provide shade during hot summer days. Oregano also grows best when planted with other herbs like thyme and rosemary!
Spearmint
Spearmint is another fantastic addition to any home garden, especially during the Springtime. This herb isn’t very popular outside of backyard gardens, but it has some great uses for iced tea and other treats you can enjoy!
Chives
Chives grow best if they’re planted with a plant that will protect them from the sun, which is why trees are great. This herb gives a flavorful flavor to many dishes, which makes them another excellent choice for your garden. For best results, you should also grow dill, parsley, or carrots alongside your chives!
Herbs to Avoid Planting
When planning which herbs you want to plant, it’s important to note that planting some herbs is just a bad idea. Herbs that are notorious for becoming invasive are best avoided if you do not want them spreading throughout your entire property.
Many herbs can be grown in containers so if you need herbs for an area but don’t necessarily want the herbs taking over, simply keep whatever herbs you have growing inside of pots.
To avoid any confusion about what herbs should be avoided when planting your herbs garden, here is a list of the top five most dangerous herbs:
1. Yarrow
Yarrow, also known as milfoil, grows in full sun or partial shade and will bloom during the summer growing season. This herb can spread quickly during wet seasons through its roots or seeds that are produced very easily.
One plant can produce thousands of herbs within just one year! Yarrow tends to take over areas where other herbs have been removed because it can thrive in poor soil. This makes it one of the herbs to avoid planting if you want your herbs garden to remain in its original spot.
Unfortunately, after herbs like yarrow have been growing for a while, they are much more difficult to get rid of so think carefully about where you want herbs when considering this option!
2. Garlic Mustard
Garlic mustard is originally from Europe but has spread throughout North America by being carried around by people who enjoy collecting herbs. It was named garlic mustard because it smells strongly of garlic when crushed or cut up and will grow almost anywhere that there is sun except for salt marshes.
This herb is very hardy and has become a serious problem in many areas. It can quickly take over an area once it’s been planted so avoid planting if you don’t want your herbs garden to spread.
3. Black Walnut
Black walnut grows best in moist, rich soils that are located near rivers or other bodies of water but can also be grown successfully in garden beds with proper drainage.
When buying seeds for black walnut, only purchase ones that have been shelled. The un-shelled seeds will not grow due to their tough outer shell which continues growing even when the root system starts dying off after germination.
The nuts produced by this herb are popular for cooking but it is important to remove any that fall from the tree because they can germinate and grow into trees themselves.
4. Horehound
Horehound grows best in full sun or partial shade in moist soils. It is hardy and thrives where other herbs have been removed but it will not grow if planted in areas with heavy clay soil. This herb can be recognized by its small, white flowers that are extremely fragrant when they bloom.
5. Periwinkle
The roots of periwinkle spread quickly horizontally (not deep into the ground). This makes it difficult to dig up once it has become established so herbs to avoid planting if you do not want your herbs garden to take over an area.
These herbs will continue spreading even when not being cared for. Consider avoiding these herbs if you don’t want your herbs garden to take over an area. If you would like to have herbs but they are growing out of control, you can always cut the herbs back and put them into a compost pile or even just throw them away where they won’t grow.
Herbs are a great addition to any garden, but some herbs need more water than others. Make sure to always check a plant before watering, as a thirsty herb may already be too late.
Herbs need different degrees of water to thrive which is why it’s important to take care when watering herbs. Herbs can grow in many different ways and each requires varying amounts of water, so make sure you know what your herbs need before giving them a drink!
