Herb Gardening

May 2007

By Gene Joyner, Extension Agent
Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service

Many herb gardens this time of year are really suffering because of the very dry conditions. Spider mites and other pests commonly associated with hot dry weather are really doing a lot of damage in some gardens. Check your herb garden once or twice a week to look for mites or other problems and take care of them immediately before they have a chance to spread.

It’s normal this time of year, too, to see a lot of older leaves on herbs shriveling and drying up because of the hot dry conditions. Don’t expect improvements in many of the plant’s looks until we start getting regular rainfall at the end of this month or in June.

It’s OK now to put out new plants this time of year into the garden as long as you’re able to keep the new plants irrigated several times a week until they become established. Also use mulches wherever practical in the garden to help slow down water loss to make plants a little happier.

If you garden in containers, it’s very important that you keep those well supplied with water so they don’t get stressed from being too dry. Also in containers you may need to fertilize more often if you’re watering frequently to replace nutrients leached out through your regular irrigation.

If you have questions about herb care this time of year that aren’t easily solved, check with fellow members at monthly meetings or contact your local Extension office for free advice.