Herb Garden Kits – What You Need to Know Before Using One

Herb Garden Kits are exciting, fun, and a good introduction into starting herbs from seeds or to get a head start on the growing season.

Whether you are new to gardening, an intermediate or expert, it seems we are always drawn to the herb garden kits, just to take a peak and see what is in it. In recent years the variety of the herbs in these kits has increased. As a rule each kit is based on a theme as Italian Culinary Herbs, French Culinary Herbs, different varieties of Thyme, and kits with herbs to make salsa along with recipes for it. There are also kits for medicinal herbs, ornamental, or aromatic herbs. Depending on the contents of the kit they can be a real value, dollar-wise. Every now and then I can’t resist and buy one that includes a flat and cover as these can be reused.

If you are new to gardening and want to try growing herbs, the herb garden kits are a great way to start. They usually include everything you need; just had water and it’s ready. Kits are a good way to expose children to gardening and peak their interest. They’re also good for those who live in apartments, condos, no access to a garden, or just want to grow herbs in containers or indoors.

An added benefit of the herb garden kits is they remove most of the guesswork on how to start the herbs. The kits come with detailed directions, follow them and you shouldn’t have any problems. Directions are also provided on when and how to harvest the herbs as well as recipes for using them. There is nothing quite like the sensation and taste of fresh herb. The rule of thumb for using fresh herbs in place of dried herbs in cooking is: use 3 tablespoons fresh herbs for each 1 teaspoon dried herbs. Remember to go easy when using herbs as you can add more but it is hard to remove them once you’ve added them.

The herb garden kits can be used to start herbs to grow indoors or to get an early start on the growing season and then transfer them outside to a garden or to containers. If you are a beginner with herb gardening and have decided to use a kit you may want to start with a kit that includes a flat with a clear cover. The cover allows light in, helps retain moisture, temperature, and you can watch the seedlings which is a plus for kids. There are many different kits and they can include everything you need or possibly just the seeds and container.

Things to consider if the herbs will be grown indoors and remain there:

• Look for a kit that has the herbs in it that you are interested in.
• Look for compact or miniature forms of these herbs.
• Look for a kit that is more on the line of a planter with room for the herbs to grow or has large pots in it. The covered flats are great but your herbs will out grow them and will need to be transplanted into something larger.
• If you have pets make sure the herbs are not poisonous to your pets.
• If you select Catnip and have cats be prepared for the cats trying to get into the seedlings. Cats also like to nibble on Chives.

What to look for in herb garden kits:

• Just like all plants that are started from seed, the herb garden kits The seeds should be in sealed packets.
• It should have a flat with a clear cover that fits snug and is a couple inches higher to allow room for growth. Flat and cover should be sturdy not flimsy.
• It should include peat pellets or soil for starting the seeds.
• Directions on where to begin.

Just like all plants that are started from seed, the herb garden kits will also have light, water, and temperature, and fertilizer requirements. The directions in the kit should provide this information. If the herbs are going to be moved outside, remember to harden them off over a period of 12 to 14 days so they will be acclimated and will thrive. Once the herbs are 4 to 6 inches high you can start to snip off a few leaves to use. Prune off any brown leaves.

Herb Garden Kits are a good way to jump into gardening; they’re almost foolproof and will cut down on the learning curve. The kits can be found at garden supply stores, hardware stores, nurseries, and online.

It is easy to be overwhelmed when first looking at them. Don’t let that stop you as you’ll soon be an expert in using them. More information can be found at Herb Garden Kits a Fast, Easy, and Foolproof Way to Jump into Herb Gardening! Take the plunge and have a great time with herbs!