Growing Herbs Plants that are Healthy
A herb garden lasts forever so do not be hasty in getting started. Remember that many herbs are invasive, mint, tarragon and woodruff are irrepressible colonizers. They spread like weeds, their creeping roots eventually take over large areas of ground and neighboring plants will not restraint them. The picture I’ve inserted is Chateau Villandry Potager. Most of us will not be gardening on this scale but isn’t that a pretty picture. It shows the idea of containment very well. If the herbs are just too invasive define their beds to limit their sprawl.

Image via Wikipedia

Pest and Disease Control

Treating your plants well by keeping them watered, feeding and propagating whenever necessary helps to maintain their vigor and so avoids the disorders that affect ailing plants. Any problems that do occur need to be dealt with promptly. Aphids are the most common pests and may be controlled by spraying with derris, or rotenome, which are both harmless to their natural predators. Caterpillars, slugs and snails are best controlled by hand picking.

Diseases are more serious, especially fungal disorders such as rust, which commonly affects mint, as well as violets or roses. Cut down rusted grow to ground level immediately upon noticing it. Rust often arrives after a wet spell. Burn the rusted growth that you have cut off the plants and be sure to scorch the crown and surrounding soil with a flame gun. If all else fails use a commercial fungicide or transfer clean-rooted divisions to fresh soil.

This second picture below is more on the scale that most of us garden. Note how the beds are all well defined to contain the herbs. This makes for easy access to all the plants without having to step into the soil. It is also easy to reach all of your plants, gardening can be hard work unless tackled intelligently. Be kind to yourself, use every trick in the book.

Mulches

Mulches are another approach that will benefit your herbs health. The best defense against all types of threats is a strong offensive. Keeping your plants happy and healthy allows them to ward off all types of disease, insects, or fungus. Spread a sheet of heavy-duty black plastic sheet or woven matting across the bed, and secure the edges by wedging them into the soil. Cut holes or crosses in the sheet through which to plant the herbs, and then cover the surface with a layer of shredded bark or cocoa shells.

Image by mrwalker via Flickr