Tips for cultivating Medicinal Plants

Since ancient days, people have taken initiatives in cultivating medicinal plants and plenty of research efforts are being carried out to improve the varieties of medicinal plants each year. There is continuous increase in the number of herbal nurseries throughout the world in order to provide the best of cultivation materials to the growers.

Herbs are best grown in a fairly fertile soil, which is well drained with a neutral pH of about 6.5 to 7.0. The following general tips could be kept in mind while growing herbs in a garden.

• The herbs that could be chosen for cultivation in a garden include Winter Savory, Sage, Rosemary, Dill, Mint, Sweet Basil, Chives, Parsley, Marjory and Summer Savory.  Other herbs too can be chosen, depending on whether they are perennials, biennials or annuals.
• Good drainage is a must for growing herbs, as they do not grow in wet soil. The drainage can be improved by placing crushed stones of about 15-18 inches beneath the top soil.
• The soil should be mixed with sand and manure to increase soil fertility. It is better not to use fertilizer, as highly fertile soils produce excess foliage with bad flavour.
• Almost all herbs grow from seeds. It will be good to sow seeds in low boxes during late winter, and these seedlings can be transplanted outdoors, during spring. However, Biennials should be sown directly onto the ground during late spring.
• Certain herbs can be propagated using cutting and division.
• The leaves should be harvested prior to flowering, when the flavor is at its peak. Seed heads can be picked during color change from brown to grey. Harvesting (in the form of picking leaves) should be done only when the plant has sufficient foliage for maintaining growth.
• Herbs are usually not affected by insects or diseases, though, occasionally rust or aphids may attack certain herbs.
• The herbs can be either refrigerated or dried for later use.

Tags: medicinal plants