21. Growing aromatic plants at home

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Cultivation of Aromatic Plants at Home

Scented plants are a wonderful addition to any home garden, be it an outdoor garden or an apartment garden. These plants, in addition to being extremely useful in the kitchen, also have medicinal properties and can be used to perfume the house naturally. In this chapter, we'll explore how you can grow your own aromatic plants at home and become more self-sustaining.

Choosing the Right Herbs

There are many different aromatic plants to choose from, and choosing the right plants for your home garden will depend on several factors. First, you must consider the climate and light conditions in your home. Some plants, like rosemary and lavender, prefer full sun, well-draining conditions, while others, like mint and parsley, prefer partial shade and moist soil.

Secondly, think about which aromatic plants you will use most often. If you enjoy cooking with fresh herbs, it may be worth growing basil, parsley, cilantro and thyme. If you are interested in medicinal plants, you may prefer to grow chamomile, lemon balm and peppermint.

Preparing the Soil

Aromatic plants generally prefer a well-drained soil rich in organic matter. You can prepare the soil in your garden by adding organic compost or well-aged manure. If you're growing plants in pots, use a high-quality soil mix that includes organic material and perlite or vermiculite to aid drainage.

Planting your Aromatic Herbs

You can start growing your aromatic plants from seeds, seedlings or cuttings. Seeds can be sown directly into the ground or into seed trays and then transplanted into the garden. Seedlings and cuttings can be planted directly into the permanent location.

When planting your herbs, make sure you give each plant enough room to grow. Most aromatic plants need at least 30 cm of space between each plant, although some, like mint, may need more space due to their aggressive growth habit.

Caring for your Aromatic Plants

Scented plants are generally quite hardy and require little care other than regular watering and occasional pruning. Most aromatic plants prefer soil that is moist but not soggy, so water your plants when the soil starts to dry out.

Regular pruning will help keep your plants healthy and productive. You can prune your plants to remove any dead or diseased growth and to encourage healthy new growth. Additionally, regularly harvesting your herbs will also help stimulate growth and keep your plants producing throughout the growing season.

Harvesting and Using Your Aromatic Plants

Frozen herbs can be harvested at any time during the growing season, although many herbs taste stronger if they are harvested before flowering. To harvest your herbs, simply cut the leaves or stems you wish to use with scissors or a sharp knife.

Once you've harvested your herbs, you can use them fresh or dry them for later use. Fresh herbs are wonderful in a variety of dishes, while dried herbs can be stored for several months and used during the winter when fresh herbs may not be available.

In summary, growing your own aromatic plants at home is a wonderful way to become more self-sustaining. Not only will you have a constant supply of fresh herbs for cooking and medicine, but you'll also have the pleasure of tending your own garden.

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