It’s easy to grow herbs in South Florida
Growing Herbs is Easy!
Wanting to grow herbs in Miami, South Florida? We’ll it’s easy, super easy. Unlike most of America, Miami has a year long growing season, meaning we can grow herbs all year long! Wow, imagine a garden full of Italian Basil, Mint, Parsley, Dill and Rosemary. These are just a few of the herbs that grow in South Florida. At the bottom of this artical is an impressive list of seasonal herbs that are easy and fun to grow. Want to know more about how to grow herbs? Landscape Designer Brent Knoll of Knoll Landscape Design has offered some of his proven organic gardening tips. Brent is always talking soil, so let’s start there.
What is the best soil to grow herbs in?
If you’ve ever tried to grow herbs in our South Florida soil, you’ve probably found that it’s pretty rocky. South Florida, especially Miami is one big Coral Rock and or construction fill. Digging in Coral isn’t fun, trust me, I know. I’ve been designing and installing gardens for over 20 years in the Sunshine State and my best friend for digging is a pick and a jack hammer. Crazy but true. Besides being extremely difficult to dig in, Coral Rock is low in organic matter and very alkaline. Construction fill consists of crushed lime rock and whatever is left from the development of the site, like chunks of concrete, bottles, plastic, tires…u get the picture, pretty toxic stuff. Herbs tend to grow best in a more acidic environment with a ph of around 6 to 7. So you have a couple options, you can either amend your soil with organic matter or build up. Raised Bed Gardens are our most popular method for growing herbs. Inothese Raised Bed Gardens, the soil is built up and contained in frames made of 2″ pine, cedar or cypress, or cut lime stone rock. What’s the best soil to grow herbs in? Brent’s Super Soil of course or compost. We make our own organic soil and use it for all of our organic garden installations. The ph is a perfect 6.5, it’s full life giving minerals and rich in microbial life. If you’re soil isn’t right, your plants will grow weakly or not at all. Gardening always starts with the soil!
South Florida coral rock
How much sun is needed to grow herbs?
How much water is needed to grow herbs?
When it comes to watering your herbs, the general rule of thumb is to keep the soil moist. Make sure you’re organic garden, container gardens or raised bed garden has good drainage. Herbs don’t like to live in soggy soil. Remember to water your herbs first thing in the morning, spot watering in the afternoon if needed. Lay down hay or compost to help preserve moisture and keep the soil cool.
Watering the garden is my favorite job
How much fertilizer and maintenance is required to grow herbs?
Not much! As far as fertilizer needed to grow herbs, I fertilize my raised bed garden installations once per month with a organic fertilizer that I purchase from a local nursery or from compost that we make at our nursery. Both work very well and are loaded with micronutrients! Remember to take care of your soil and it will take care of you! Do herbs need much maintenance? Not really, most herbs are bug free. The oils in the leaves and fragrance tends to keep bugs at bay. I love to mix herbs in with vegetables and fruits as companion plants.
Harvesting your herbs
How and when to harvest your herbs? Know the growth habit of your herbs. Allow your herb plants to become established before harvesting. Watch some tutorials on youtube. We have our own youtube channel loaded with information on organic gardening. Here’s the link for that Knoll Landscape Design’s Youtube
Harvesting fresh basil
What herbs grow best in Miami?
Most!! With our temperate tropical climate it’s so easy to grow herbs in Miami, it really is. Note that every herb has a season, for instance Italian Basil loves the summer sun, cilantro likes winter months, mint and rosemary grow round. Here’s an impressive herb list our friends at Easy Edible Landscapes has put together. Here’s the list you’ve been waiting for: What herbs grow in South Florida, Miami
Want to grow herbs but need help?
We create a variety of landscapes at Knoll Landscape Design and some are quite delicious. Edible Forests, Edible Landscaping and Raised Bed Gardens are a great way to grow herbs seasonally or all year long. Call Brent Knoll at 3054965155 to schedule an in person consultation to discuss the possibilities for growing your own food. Thanks for stopping by 🙂