Herb Gardens in Florida

Timing

• When herb gardening in Florida, be wary of most garden guides that inform you when to plant what. From books to seed packets, many all-purpose guides are written for climates further north. They recommend planting in mid-spring for a summer harvest, but in Florida you plant most herbs in fall or winter, and your growing season is normally twice as long. From sowing to harvest, seek out local resources for proper timing. County extension services, nurseries and gardening books aimed at hardiness zones 8 through 10 will provide you with more accurate information.

Soil

• Herbs are not generally fussy about soil quality as long as there is good drainage and adequate water, but Florida soil is often so nutrient-deficient it is one step from pure sand. Remedy this by mixing copious amounts of humus into the soil when preparing your planting bed. Mulch with organic matter, such as compost or grass clippings, so it will continue to feed the soil as it breaks down. The best way to ensure your herbs will get the nutrients they need in your garden plot is to purchase a soil testing kit at a garden center. The lab results will tell you vital information, such as your soil's pH level and which nutrients it lacks, and the report will recommend additives to solve the problem.

Water

• Successful herb gardening in Florida can often hinge on moisture control. During the dry season, which lasts roughly from September through May, herbs can require water daily. On the other hand, you don't want automatic sprinklers going off during the rainy season when your plants are already sitting in mud. Drip irrigation is the best way to deliver water deep down where the roots need it. Another benefit is that irrigation keeps the foliage dry. Since Florida can be so hot and humid, wet leaves can cook in the sizzling afternoon heat, or develop mold from being moist over humid nights. Plants do benefit from a couple of early morning showers during the week, as a good blast of the hose can dislodge dirt, fungus spores or insects.

Containers

• If you feel your soil is beyond hope, or if you live in an apartment and don't have any gardening space of your own, you can still enjoy a bountiful herb garden with containers. A large window box on a sunny kitchen counter, or a few 6-inch terracotta pots on a patio, can house a selection of culinary herbs that are conveniently within reach when cooking. Containers require more attention when it comes to watering and fertilizing; however growing herbs in pots off the ground makes it easier to avoid problems with pests and diseases. Another benefit is that you can bring your entire herb garden indoors for protection at the threat of a minor winter frost, hurricane or heat wave.