Spring Herb Gardening Tips From Pefferlaw Peat

05/09/2013

Spring is here and we’re all looking forward to getting our garden started. Susan, a garden creation specialist from Canadian company Pefferlaw Peat sat down to share some great herb gardening tips for our readers.

How to get started:

• Decide what you will want to grow and where you will be setting up your herb container garden.  Generally your herbs will need 8 to 10 hours of sunlight.
• Even your little ones can help out! Teach your children how to care for a small plant or herb by getting them involved in the process from the beginning.

What you need:

• Select containers  – your container can be a store bought pot, a disposable container or something creative like a burlap bag, tea pot or colander.
• Things to consider.  Your containers must allow for drainage (holes in the bottom) and be deep enough for the plant roots to grow and expand.
• If using a recycled container, you will want to ensure that it did not previously contain a harmful substance and is food safe.
• Organic Soil
• Drainage dish

Tips and Tricks:

• If you are a new gardener, you might want to start out with young plants, available at any nursery or garden center.
• Try fast growing plants like Radishes and Watercress if you’re looking for ‘instant’ results!

Soil and Planting

• Choosing a Certified Organic Soil such as Pefferlaw Brand Hanging Basket & Planter Mix or Premium Potting Soil, which are fortified with natural fertilizers, ensures you will have healthy growth that is not contaminated with unsafe waste or chemicals.

Fun with the little ones- Grow Wheatgrass this Spring:

Planting wheat grass as a project can be fun for children because it only takes 7-10 days to mature. Have them grow it for a spring decoration, or to plant into a pot with a face – for green hair!  Directions:

1. Begin by soaking the wheat berries for 24 hours.
2. Select a shallow tray, don’t worry about drainage, it’s not necessary.
3. Fill the tray with a good potting soil or seeding mix.
4. Place the wheat berries on the soil, it is important that the seeds sit side by side and not atop of each other as this will create mold.  Its a little time consuming but the trick here is not to select a small container (not large).
5. Cover the entire soil with berries/seeds; you should see little soil once you are done.
6. Thoroughly spray the seeds and cover with plastic wrap to keep moisture in, place in a warm area. Once the berries/seeds have sprouted, remove the plastic wrap and let it grow.  You should spray the grass daily to keep it moist.
7. You will have a wonderful display in 7-10 days.

Pefferlaw Peat Products Inc. was founded in 1954. Proudly Canadian, they manufacture packaged landscape products, including garden soil, mulch and aggregate.  All Pefferlaw Certified Organic products are:

• Healthy & Safe
• Exceptional value at no extra costs
• Grow great plants

Find these products at select Home Hardware and Sobeys, Foodland, Freshco retailers and at various garden centers across Ontario.  For more information, please visit www.pefferlaw.com