A aromatic plant garden It's your dream, we love to tell you that you are closer than you think to fulfilling this dream. If you have an outdoor space in your house, even if it's just a small balcony, you can achieve it.
Aromatic plants are not only pretty, they are also very useful in the kitchen and are easy to care for. So go ahead and make room for them at home and we assure you that you will not regret it.
Choosing the right aromatic plants
There are many aromatic plants, so the first thing you need to do is select the ones you want to have in your garden. In this sense, it is important to choose species that adapt well to the climate of your place of residence and to the specific conditions of your outdoor space, for example, whether it has more or fewer hours of light.
Although the choice is a very personal thing, here is a list of the most common and recommended ones for growing outdoors:
- Rosemary. It is particularly resistant to heat and does not mind being exposed to direct sunlight. In addition, its fine, aromatic leaves are widely used in cooking.
- Lavender. It stands out for its beauty and its calming fragrance. Not only will it beautify your garden but it will also attract pollinators.
- Mint. This vigorous plant grows quickly and its leaves are perfect for making infusions and adding a fresh touch to dishes and drinks.
- Thyme. It is ideal for growing in areas with hot and dry climates, and perfect for adding aroma to all types of stews.
- Basil. This bright green leafy plant, commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, adds a splash of colour to your garden during the summer.
- Peppermint. It is very similar to mint and is also easy to care for, but its flavor is somewhat milder.
Space planning
Once you have a clear idea of which species are going to be present in your outdoor aromatic plant garden, it is time to plan where each one will go. Remember that each species has different needs in terms of light, water and space, so You have to group those that require similar conditions.
You have to especially value:
Sun light
Most plants of this type prefer direct sunlight for several hours a day (a minimum of six), so look for a area in your garden that is very bright.
Drainage
These plants do not tolerate excess water very well, so you need a soil with good drainage capacity. If the soil is very compact, what you can do is create small raised beds that help to evacuate excess irrigation water.
Studio
There are species such as mint that can become invasive. These types of plants are best grown in containers rather than directly in the ground, because This makes it easier to control their growth.
If you have enough space, you can design your garden by creating rows or plots of aromatic plants. If your space is more limited, pots are a good option.
Prepare the soil
Soil conditions directly influence how your plants develop. For aromatic varieties we need well-drained and slightly alkaline soil, so we need to do some tasks before we start planting:
- Remove weeds. The first job to do is to make sure that the soil is free of weeds that can compete with our plants for soil nutrients.
- Improve drainage. If the soil is clayey or heavy, you can lighten it by mixing in a little sand or gravel. If you want to make it more fertile, take the opportunity to add organic compost or a little worm humus.
- pH. The ideal pH for aromatic plants is between 6.0 and 7.5. If you need to make adjustments, you can use lime to increase the pH or sulfur to decrease it.
Planting the aromatic plant garden
At this point, you can start shaping your garden. If you are going to work with seeds, there are varieties such as parsley or cilantro that can be sown directly into the ground, while other seeds such as basil give better results if they are sown in the soil. germinate indoors before taking them to the garden.
If you are going to use seedlings, try to do the planting work on a cloudy day or in the afternoon, so that high temperatures do not cause even more stress to the plant.
Even if the seedlings are small, keep in mind that they will grow, so leave at least 30 cm of space between them.
Basic care
Once the plants are in their final location, Basic care must be taken to ensure they grow healthy and productive. This implies:
Irrigation
Most species of aromatic plants prefer deep but infrequent watering, which gives better results. wait for the soil to dry between waterings.
However, in dry or hot climates you may need to water more frequently, especially if the plants are in pots, because moisture evaporates sooner.
Prune and harvest
These plants respond well to regular pruning, as it encourages bushier growth. When harvesting leaves and shoots, try not to remove too much of them at once. only once more than a third so as not to weaken the plant too much.
Fertilization
These types of plants grow best in soils that are slightly poor, meaning you don't have to worry too much about adding fertilizer. If you do use fertilizer, try to use a mild, organic type. Apply very sparingly and only during the active growing season (spring and summer).
winter protection
Some perennials such as rosemary or lavender are more sensitive to cold and it is a good idea to move them to a more sheltered place during the winter or, if this is not possible, toApply a layer of mulch around your substrate.
Replacement
Some varieties like basil and cilantro are annuals and die back at the end of the season, so you'll need to replant when spring comes.
Having an outdoor garden of aromatic plants will fill your home with colour and a good aroma. Do you dare to give these species a leading role?