A pre-planted herb garden can be the perfect gift for someone who lives in an apartment or for the cook who loves the taste of fresh herbs. You don't have to have a green thumb to enjoy these colorful and convenient indoor gardens, and buying one will let you experiment with raising herbs without breaking the bank.
Convenient and Affordable Herb Gardens
Many people love the idea of having an herb garden, but they either don't have the area to plant one or think that it will take too much time. There is also the misconception that herbs are difficult to tend to and require a lot of time and attention in order to thrive. While it is true that most plants do require time and attention, herbs usually don't require any more care than most other house plants.
Planning and creating an outdoor herb garden can be a costly undertaking. These types of gardens are lovely and functional. However, the average herb hobbyist doesn't have the acreage required for this project, or they may be afraid they'll kill all of the plants. A great alternative is to start with a pre-planted herb garden. This is a cost-effective way to learn about a variety of herbs and what type of care they need before investing in an outdoor herb garden.
Types of Herb Gardens
Herbs are great plants to have around the home, whether you use them as decorations or eat them in foods prepared in your kitchen. Since people use herb gardens for various purposes, it is important to decide how you'll use your herbs. Will you be cooking with them, or would you prefer to enjoy them in the window as a house plant?
For the Chef
Most herbs used for cooking are not flowering varieties because they will be picked frequently. A cook will want a variety of herbs such as rosemary, thyme and basil. Herbs are easy to care for and require little attention other than sunlight and fresh water. Herbs that are used in cooking should not be fertilized with chemicals.
For the Plant Lover
Someone who wants to enjoy a flowering herb garden may want to choose lavender, bee balm and purple coneflower. These beautiful herbs look great in any window and are easy to care for. If you are not using the plants for cooking, they may be fertilized occasionally with MiracleGro or other commercial fertilizers. As long as you give these plants the right amount of water and sunlight, they will do beautifully in your home. They'll provide colorful blooms and, depending upon the plant, a subtle fragrance too.
An occasional pruning will keep the herbs in tip-top condition and ensure they don't outgrow their pots.
Buy Pre-Planted Herbs
Finding pre-planted herbs is as easy as making a trip to your local retail store or gardening center or browsing online. Spring is the best time to find a wide selection of these herb gardens, but they might be available year round from Internet vendors. The selection of available herbs will vary depending upon where you live. It is important to remember that having an indoor herb garden doesn't guarantee ideal climate conditions for your plants. For example, if you live in a cold northern climate, herb plants may die in your window even if your house is warm. Therefore, choose your plants carefully to ensure longevity.
The following online retailers sell wonderful herb gardens for the indoor herbalist:
- Gardini: Terracotta herb garden features bay leaf, parsley, rosemary, basil and mint.
- Aero Garden: If you've always dreamed of being a gourmet chef, using garden-fresh herbs is a good starting point. The Aero Garden features preseeded pods for super fast germination so you'll be harvesting your crop extra fast.
- GroBox: Grow your own culinary herbs and be good to the environment. The kit is designed from eco-friendly materials and includes garlic leaves, mint, parsley, oregano and basil.
- Burpee: This herb garden collection will supply all the savory herbs you need for sauces and stews, such as Greek oregano, sage and rosemary.
You can also purchase pre-planted herb gardens at local nurseries and at the many herbal plant fundraisers that some organizations such as schools or religious organizations hold in the spring.
A Fun and Inexpensive Hobby
Growing herbs is a great learning experience for adults and children alike. They can be used to beautify the home or as a fresh, healthy alternative to dried spices in the kitchen. Whatever your purpose may be, growing herbs is a fun and inexpensive hobby that everyone can enjoy.
