Round
Rock Gardens
901
Sam Bass Rd.
(1/4 mile west of I-35 on Hwy. 79)
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 255-3353
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Growing herbs,
whether inside or out, may be
one of gardening’s most
gratifying experiences. Because
of their beauty and versatility,
herbs may be grown amid vegetables,
ornamentals, or in a garden
dedicated strictly to their
kind. They may be nurtured in
a sunny window box, strawberry
pot, whiskey barrel or just
about any container you choose.
Situate your herbs for easy
access: on the patio, deck,
a sunny windowsill or in the
kitchen garden. Herbs are relatively
carefree and have a multitude
of uses that include but are
not limited to: culinary, aromatic,
ornamental, medicinal and insect
control.
Choose a full
sun location, 4-6 hours per
day is best. Herbs will grow
in a shadier location; however,
plants will be weak and thin.
Most herbs are not demanding
of soil fertility. One thing
that they will not tolerate,
however, is wet or poorly drained
soil.
Locate herbs
in or near the kitchen for easy
access when cooking. Be aware
of the ultimate size, height
and spread of the herbs that
you plan to grow. If you take
this into consideration you
can assure room for the plants
to reach their full potential.
Position taller herbs to the
back of the garden or container
and shorter herbs to the front;
this will allow for easier access
and prevent shading.
Water pots
before planting. Remove plants
from their pots and loosen roots
to stimulate new root growth.
Place plants at the same soil
depth that they were in the
pot, or slightly higher, to
avoid rotting, gently firm soil
around each plant, water and
mulch. Feed monthly with a mild,
organic fertilizer such as Neptune’s
Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer
3-2-1.
Some herbs,
such as mints, have a tendency
to be invasive and may take
over an entire herb garden.
Sink aggressive potted herbs
directly into the garden. Pull
up pots each spring to replenish
soil. Sink container back into
the garden for another season.
Growing herbs
indoors is also quite simple.
Choose herbs that will not get
too large to handle inside.
The same soil requirements apply
for both indoor and outdoor
planting. Select a south or
west window to situate your
plants. It may be beneficial
or necessary to supplement with
artificial lighting during the
winter months. Provide humidity
by grouping plants together
and misting daily. Another option
is placing potted herbs on a
humidity tray. Fertilize monthly
with Neptune’s
Harvest. We always
carry an extensive assortment
of the most distinctive herbs
available in both seed and starter
plants.
Fresh herb
leaves are ready to be harvested
as soon as there is enough foliage
to maintain the plant. Try to
harvest in the morning, after
the dew has dried but before
the sun becomes too hot, using
a sharp knife or scissors. It
is a good idea to harvest only
what you plan to use at time
of cutting as herbs do not store
well in the refrigerator. With
most herbs it is beneficial
to harvest before the plants
go to flower as the taste is
better at this stage of growth.
Rinse with cold water and pat
dry before using.
Harvest herbs
as directed. Drain on absorbent
towels, tie in bunches and dry
thoroughly by hanging bunches
up in the sun just until all
water evaporates from the surface
of the herbs. Remove plants
from sun and hang in a clean,
dark, dry location with good
air circulation for 1- 2 weeks
until herbs are completely dry
and brittle. If not dried completely
the herbs will become moldy
in storage. Remove leaves from
the stem and store them in an
air tight container in a cool,
dry, low light environment.
Check container in a few days
for condensation. If there is
any moisture in the container
you must start the drying process
again.
You may dry
herbs in a conventional or microwave
oven. With a conventional oven,
position clean herbs in a single
layer on a shallow pan. Place
baking pan in a 180°F oven
for 2 to 4 hours. When using
a microwave place clean herbs
in a single layer on a paper
towel or plate. Cook herbs on
high for 1 to 3 minutes, mixing
every 30 seconds, until thoroughly
dry. Continue as above.
Freezing herbs
is also easy to accomplish.
Wash herbs and blanch in boiling
water for 1 minute. Cool herbs
very quickly in ice water then
drain. Package herbs in air
tight plastic bags and store
in the freezer.
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By
choosing long-blooming
perennial plants,
you can capitalize
on the best of both
worlds - plants that
persist, or come back
from growing season
to growing season,
and those that bloom
for an extended length
of time. This also
means that you'll
have more time to
appreciate the gardens
that you create!
Here
is just a sampling
of long-blooming perennial
plants for the sunny
garden:
Achillea,
or Yarrow,
are very drought and
heat resistant plants,
once established.
The flower heads are
long lasting and many
colors are available
from yellow, gold,
pink, pastels in apricot,
lilac, salmon, cream
and white. Plants
grow from 8"
to 3' tall, depending
on variety. The flat-topped
flower heads grow
up to several inches
across, and make excellent
cut and dried flowers,
especially yellow.
The fern-like, gray
to gray-green foliage
is somewhat aromatic
and attractive even
when the plant is
not in bloom.
Coreopsis,
Tickseed,
is one of the easiest
and most rewarding
garden flowers. The
thread leaf varieties
are usually the longest
blooming, typically
from June through
fall. The pale yellow,
bright yellow or rosy-pink
daisy flowers smother
the slender stems
and thread-like leaves.
Plant height, from
15 - 24", is
variety dependent.
A mid-summer shearing
of the seed heads
will keep these plants
blooming for many
more weeks.
Echinacea
purpurea, Purple Coneflower,
is a sturdy, bold-textured,
dark green foliaged
favorite that grows
to 2 - 3' tall and
wide. The flowers
are large, daisy-like
with unique standings
of dark-rose purple
and lighter in color.
Rudbeckia,
Black-eyed Susan,
is an old-fashioned
garden favorite. It
is hardy, reliable,
insect and disease
free, and an exceptionally
long-blooming plant
- typically from July
through fall. This
medium-green, bold-foliaged
plant grows to about
3' tall and bears
golden yellow, daisy
flowers with dark
brown centers. Both
Echinacea and Rudbeckia
flowers make excellent
cut flowers and a
wonderful place for
butterflies to sit
and eat.
Gallardia
or Blanket Flower
is an American native
plant which thrives
in the hot sun and
has beautiful yellow-orange
flowers, marked with
red. Height varies
according to variety.
Some favorites include
"Baby Cole"
which is a dwarf only
8" high, "Goblin,"
a 12”-15”
grower, and "Burgundy,"
which reaches 18”-24”
and whose flowers
are a gorgeous shade
of burgundy red.
For
intense blue flowers
from mid-summer to
September, plant Plumbago
(Ceratostigma plumbaginoides).
Plumbago spreads quickly
to form a neat groundcover
and as an added bonus,
leaves turn a brilliant
red in the fall before
dropping. This excellent
perennial grows well
in light shade also.
Veronica, Speedwell,
has neat, attractive
foliage and abundant
flowers in densely
packed spikes. Look
for the cultivars
'Goodness Grows' and
taller 'Sunny Border
Blue' for a beautiful
addition of blue to
your summer garden.
Remember,
this is just a brief
glimpse of the long-blooming
perennials available
to choose from. Stop
by to see our wide
selection of perennials
so we can help you
determine the plants
best suited to your
garden.
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