Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 7, 1993 TAG: 9303050399
SECTION: BETTER HOMES PAGE: BH-36 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOANNE ANDERSON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
HERB AND ROCK GARDENS EASY TO MAINTAIN
Interest in growing herbs has multiplied by leaps and bounds in recent years, along with increasing enthusiasm for things natural, including non-artificial flavoring and seasonings.Most fresh herbs are not readily available for purchase, so an obvious - and rewarding - alternative is to grow them at home. Merging herb and rock gardens combines the relative ease of herb gardening with the low maintenance of rock gardening.
Alenne Walker, herbalist and owner of Plant Plant in Christiansburg, says "many herbs such as thyme and rosemary are very amenable to rocky environments."
In the herb business nearly a decade, Walker maintains a virtual love affair with the plants. "The more you learn about them, the more you love 'em."
"There are so many interesting and attractive foliage shapes, textures and colors that present unusual diversity in gardens. Besides looking lovely, you have all the usefulness of the plants," she said.
While the triple buzzword in real estate is location, location, location, success in any type of gardening is contingent upon planning, planning, planning. Herb and rock gardening is no exception, so your very first one should be generated with a pencil and paper.
Sunshine - at least five hours per day - and good drainage are elementary requirements for the garden. You can see where the sun shines, of course. If there is little obvious slope to the land, test the area for adequate drainage. A Time-Life Book, "Herbs," suggests digging an 18` hole and filling it with water. If there is still water in the hole an hour later, the drainage is not sufficient. You can create proper drainage by excavating your area 18-foot hole or so, filling the bottom 3 feet with fist-sized rocks and covering with A myth persists that herbs can be grown in poor soil. They do not require a richly fertilized or oft-tended soil, but herb plants do need good, loose ground with a 6.5 - 7.0 pH. The dirt should be enriched with organic matter.
Peat moss, well-rotted manure or compost mixed to a spade depth will create a happy home for herb roots.
"Over-fertilization is the most common mistake first-time herb gardeners make," says Walker.
Another option for a garden site is the raised bed. Raised beds can be easily constructed, and they lend the additional elements of geometry and a three-dimensional surface. Bounded by railroad ties or rocks or bricks, drainage also is created by rocks in the bottom.
Herbs and rock plants do not require their own plot; each may be incorporated into an existing flower or vegetable garden, the side of a driveway or used to create an edge. Tall herbs look delightful on a strip bordering a property, and small rock gardens can flank a sidewalk.
The herb plants produce their fragrant leaves for use as long as the flower buds are pinched before blooming. As such, there are many trips made to the garden for fresh herbs, and easy accessibility is important. A 3-foot wide garden can be reached from one side; a 5-foot wide garden with access from both sides is workable.
Many herb gardens are composed of four squares with pathways between them. Flat rock steps are especially appropriate and functional.
Some garden design tips for herbs:
Plant annuals and perennials separately, so while the garden is being prepared for annuals next season, the perennials are not being disturbed.
Plan to place tall plants on the north side of the area so they do not shade the shorter plants. Avoid planting herbs near a good size tree as the tree roots will infiltrate and rob the herbs of moisture and nutrients.
Allow adequate growing space for herb plants so they so not become scrunched as they mature.
Adding rocks and rock plants to your garden scheme enhances the natural appearance. Almost any rock that doesn't break in frost is acceptable; limestone, sandstone and granite are among the most popular. Since the idea is to make an artificial arrangement of rocks that appears natural, look at rocks and rocky outcroppings in natural settings.
Use rocks that you can manage, say up to 50 pounds. Avoid round or thin slab rocks. As the garden is planned, calculate rock space based on the fact that half to two-thirds of the rock will be submerged. When rocks are moved to a sloping site, the larger ones should be placed in the lower end to stabilize the soil mass. After positioning a rock, test it by standing on it. If it moves at all, more dirt needs to be pressed around it. Smaller stones can used higher up to create small outcroppings.
Walker recommends two very good books on herbs: "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs by Rodale Press" and "The Complete Book of Herbs" by Lesley Bremness. With these books, a pencil and paper, some enthusiasm, a little energy and an interest in contributing home-grown flavor to your cooking and your property, you will be prepared to enter the wonderful world of herb and rock gardening.
Herb Society of Southwest Virginia meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, at the corner of Brandon and Grandin, Roanoke. Newsletter. Membership open. Contact Mary Johnson, 380-2978. Virginia Herb Growers and Marketers Association, P. O. Box 1176, Chesterfield, Va. 23832. Newsletter/Annual Conference. Membership open.