Curious: I haven't had much success with herb gardening in the past. What can I do to keep my herbs alive?

Dear Curious, I want to provide you with some tips that you can use right away to keep your garden herbs healthy.

Remember that I stated earlier that growing healthy plants would naturally help to keep pests away, just because of the health of the plants. Think about the human body's immune system. The healthier our body is, the more likely that it can defend itself against colds, flu or other 'pesky' illnesses. This is equally true for our plant friends.

I know that once you start your own herb garden, you will fall in love with this craft. It really is quite simple to keep your herbs healthy, so let's review a number of the sometimes overlooked ways to do this.

So where do I get the right information on creating the right conditions to grow healthy herbs?

* Take advantage of the benefits of 'companion planting'.

* It might seem obvious, but if starting your garden from seedlings, inspect the plants to make sure you start with healthy ones.

* Healthy soil is one of the ultimate keys to healthy plants. The addition of mulch or compost is most helpful.

* Keep soil moist; not soggy. Most herbs prefer soil that is well drained but not too wet. You will need to keep an eye on the dampness of the soil.

* Make sure you plant your herbs where they can best thrive. To do this, you will need to know what growing conditions each herb prefers.

* Most herbs don't require much, if any, fertilizer if you have prepared your soil properly.

* Even though most herbs need 4 - 6 hours of sunlight per day, a number of them will grow in partial shade.

* You can successfully grow several different herbs together in one pot or container.

* Keep an eye on herbs in planters and containers, as they tend to dry out much more quickly than those planted in the ground.

* If you live in a cold climate, your best bet may be to plant in containers. This allows you to move the pots to a more sheltered location or bring them indoors during the cold season.

Curious: Can you give me any additional information on growing indoor herbs in my kitchen?

Dear Curious, Well, growing herbs in pots is no more difficult than growing them in an outdoor garden. And, growing your herbs inside not only provides an aromatic scent, but can also help to decorate your home.

My next post will be on the intriguing subject of 'Italian Herb Gardens.'