If you’re looking for instant access to fresh, healthy ingredients, growing your own herbs and vegetables is a great way to do so. Not only will these flavourful ingredients improve the taste and nutritional value of your meals, but it can also become a fulfilling hobby if you’re a gardening fan.
A VegTrug is a raised garden bed specifically designed for growing vegetables and herbs in a small space. It’s a great way to start growing your own ingredients in one compact area and can bring your garden to life.
Whether you’re a plant lover and looking for a new challenge, or you’re a complete beginner, adding a VegTrug to your garden is a fun way to learn a new skill.
In this article, we’ll look into some of the best tips and tricks for growing fresh herbs yourself, and which herbs are easier to get right than others.
Let There Be Light!
The first thing to consider when growing herbs in a VegTrug is the location. We recommend choosing an area that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day, as most herbs need full sun to thrive.
If you’re unable to find a space in your garden that has full sun, you can grow herbs that tolerate partial shade such as mint, parsley, and coriander.
Which Herb Is Best?
It can be tricky choosing the right herbs to grow in your VegTrug. Some of the most popular herbs include basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and chives. These herbs are the easiest to grow due to requiring minimal maintenance.
Source: hermoney.com
You can also try growing other herbs that you enjoy using in your cooking such as parsley, cilantro, dill or even different varieties of mint.
High-Quality Mixture for High-Quality Herbs
When planting your herbs, make sure to use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. This will ensure that your herbs have the necessary nutrients and drainage to grow as best as they possibly can.
It’s also important to space your herbs out properly to make sure they have enough room to grow and to prevent overcrowding.
Keep Them Watered
Once your herbs are planted, it’s essential to keep them well-watered. Herbs require regular watering, especially during hot weather.
Source: gardening.org
However, overwatering can be as damaging as underwatering your herbs. If you over-water, you can cause the root to rot. You’ll know it’s time to water your herbs when the top inch of the soil is dry to the touch.
Make sure to check the differences between how much water certain herbs need. You should plant herbs that have similar requirements near each other, otherwise it’ll become tricky to control.
To Fertilize, Or Not to Fertilize?
Another important aspect of growing healthy herbs in a VegTrug is fertilization. Herbs benefit from regular fertilization as it helps them grow strong and healthy.
You can use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer or a slow-release fertilizer to provide your herbs with the necessary nutrients. You can also use compost or aged manure as an organic alternative.
Keep Bugs at Bay
Pest and disease control is also an important aspect of growing herbs in a VegTrug. They can cause immense damage to your plants, herbs and veg, so avoiding them altogether is your goal.
One of the best ways to prevent pests and diseases is to keep your herbs healthy and well-maintained. Regularly inspecting your herbs for signs of pests or disease, such as yellowing leaves or wilting, can help you catch problems early before they become serious.
If you also regularly harvest your herbs, this will encourage new growth and prevent overcrowding. To do this successfully, simply cut the leaves or stems with scissors or a sharp knife. You can also pinch off the tips of the plant to encourage bushier growth.
To Conclude
By growing fresh herbs in a VegTrug, you can enjoy natural, flavorful ingredients to add to your meals while also enjoying the benefits of gardening.
We hope these tips and tricks have given you the knowledge to ensure that your herbs grow strong and healthy. With a little bit of care and attention, your VegTrug will be producing an abundance of fresh herbs for you to enjoy all season long.
If you’re starting out with herbs, you can eventually expand to growing your own fruit and vegetables. There are a variety of sizes of VegTrugs you can get, depending on how much you’d like to grow.
