If you're just starting out on your herb growing adventure, it's important to give it a bit of thought beforehand. The choices can be a bit overwhelming for a newby. Or maybe you've grown herbs in another part of the country and have some questions about herb growing in our climate.
There's a lot of information on the web but sometimes it takes a conversation with a long time Florida herb grower to get you going. I would be glad to help you or you can ask around to any gardening friends who might already be growing herbs. And you can make it easier by first asking yourself some questions:
1.Why do I want to grow herbs...to eat? as medicine? fragrance? attracting pollinators?
You're in "luck" because many herbs can do crossover duty in some or even all of these categories!
2. Which herbs do best in a tropical climate like Florida? This might take some research or you can ask me or someone else you know who has been growing herbs here for a while.
3. Do I want my Herb Garden to be in the ground, pots or a combination? The answer to this depends on how much work you're willing to do. An in ground garden can be pretty challenging so the answer might be pots to start out... or a combination of the two, depending on your choice of plants.
Once you have the answers to these basic questions, you're ready to get started. I recommend keeping your initial selection of herb plants fairly small so you don't get overwhelmed. 5 plants for a new herb grower, up to twice that many for someone with experience.
If you're still unsure or have other questions I would be glad to help you on your way to growing your Southern Herb Garden! Please come to the farm for a visit to chose herbs that are grown out in nature instead of in a forced hothouse environment. You'll be glad you did!
