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Just the Basics  
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Gardening Basics

Grow Plants according to
their needs, not yours.


There are over 5,000 different species of edible plants that can be grown outdoors.
The majority of these are herbs and perennials.
Many are very ornamental & already be growing in your garden.
Using herbs to landscape can be far more productive than a field of annuals, producing a much wider range of harvestable plant material and requireing far less work.

It all comes down to selecting the right mixture of species.   
When you choose herb plants for your landscape,
you should consider three things: 
-the physical and ornamental traits  of  the plants (their size & -shape at maturity, type and color)
-the plants soil needs and hardiness
-how you want to use these plants

   

 

 
 
pH Explained

Most plants thrive in a pH range of 6,
but will tolerate a pH between 5.5– 7.
Acidic soil has a low pH range from 1 to 6.5. 
Alkaline soils have a high pH range from 7.5 to 10.
Neutral soil has a pH of 7. 
For the best results, add these amendments in the spring.
when soils are warming and microorganisms are active.
Composted tree refuse and chips, oak leaf mold, peat moss, rotted sawdust or bark and soil sulfur will lower the pH in an alkaline soil.
Add dolomite lime or mushroom compost to raise the pH in acid soils.
 
When beginning an herb garden
It's important to choose a proper site, to know what  soil conditions exist on your site, so you can amend the soil to the plants needs.
If the garden area is poorly drained, you will have to modify the site conditions for any chance of success.
Also consider soil fertility and test your soil ph (acidity -alkalinity) and ammend before planting a garden, then test every 3 years to adjust.  Herbs do better in soils of low to medium fertility.  
Highly fertile soil tends to produce excessive amounts of foliage with poor flavor