Basil is a widely used herb that is a wonderful addition to many dishes. Served fresh, or stored to be dried, basil is also easy to grow. Sweet basil is probably the most popular, and is best used fresh. On the other hand, Thai basil is more potent, has a strong licorice flavor, and is best used as an addition to many hot dishes. Purple basil is a touch stronger than sweet basil and holds a deep eggplant color. Napolitano basil is commonly used fresh on traditional Italian pizzas.

No matter what type of basil you choose to grow, you must wait until after the last frost, as basil does best in warmer temperatures and frost will most likely kill your basil. Whether you grow your basil indoors, or outdoors keep it in full sun and water it whenever the soil is dry. Basil is susceptible to aphid infestation, so if you notice large holes in the leaves of your basil, try a natural aphid killer to alleviate this issue. Experiment with different types of basil, and enjoy a variety of culinary creations.

Wooden Herb Garden

Whether you eat them fresh, dry them for cooking, or use them in your favorite soaps, herbs are a great way to live naturally and take advantage of all that nature has to offer. If you’re considering starting your first herb garden, there are a few things you need to learn. Afterwards, you will be enjoying wonderful herbs for many months.

If you’re starting your herbs from seedling, don’t overwater them. When the soil feels dry, give your herb garden a little water. It is also important to have proper drainage in your herb garden. If you want to give your herbs room to grow, as well as provide ample drainage, add crushed rocks or gravel to the bottom of the herb garden. If you are starting your herb garden in separate pots, place rocks on the bottom, and then place soil on top. Recommended herbs for your first herb garden include chives, rosemary, basil and thyme, as these are heartiest and easy to grow. Make sure these herbs have plenty of sun, healthy soil, and the appropriate amount of water to enjoy growing, and cooking with these herbs.

If you take pride in your garden and backyard, you most likely have an array of tools and machines to help keep your landscape looking great. Lawnmowers, weed eaters, and garden tillers take up a large amount of space, and it is often difficult to stay organized. The Yardmate 5 x 8 garden shed is a perfect outdoor space to keep all your lawn and outdoor equipment organized and safe.

This garden shed is wind and snow tested, so it is fully capable of handling even the harshest of weather conditions. The shed’s vinyl composition makes it sturdy and rust resistant, as well as easy to clean. The clean design of the Yardmate 5 x 8 shed

YardMate 5 x 8

makes it a perfect fit for any backyard, so it won’t look out of place, and the large double doors allow for ease of large equipment removal and replacement. Built in door handles allow you to lock the Yardmate shed, for peace of mind. Keep your entire garden and outdoor equipment collection safe and secure with a large vinyl shed from Yardmate.

If you have an outdoor garden, you’ve most likely experienced unwanted guests nibbling on your vegetables and plants. Rabbits, squirrels, and even cats can do harm to gardens by eating the plants and leaves. If you need to deter critters in your garden, there are natural ways to do so, without harming your plants or the animals.

Lay citronella candles throughout your garden to deter cats, as they dislike a strong citrus smell. These candles may need to be replaced after a hard rain, or during a strong heat wave, as they will most likely melt. An alternative would be to lay orange and lemon peels throughout your garden. Another natural deterrent is cayenne pepper. Sprinkle cayenne pepper throughout your garden to deter most animals from chewing on your plants. Just be sure to wash your vegetables before consuming them so as not to deter yourself! Finally, place mothballs in old panty house and hang throughout your garden to deter rabbits and squirrels. There is no need to harm critters that find their way into your garden. Simply use these natural deterrents to ward away unwanted visitors.

If you have a garden, you must water it. However, it’s not enough to simply purchase a watering can and hope for the best. Watering your garden involves a careful balance. The time of day you water your garden, and how you water it can make the difference between a fruitful garden, and one that doesn’t yield as much as you hoped.

Don’t over water your garden! Even though plants are made of mostly water, too much water can drown the plants and limit the amount of edible fruit/vegetables they grow. Keep the soil moist, but don’t flood your garden. Similarly, ensure you are providing enough water for a healthy garden. The soil should always be damp, and rarely dry and brittle. The time of day you water your garden is imperative to the health of your plants, and it’s best to water your garden in the early morning or late evening. Watering plants at noonday can burn them, so it is important to water them when the sun is not at its hottest. Remember the rule of moderation when watering your plants, and your garden will be sure to grow lush, with plenty of fruits and vegetables for you to enjoy.