It does not matter if you have a big or a small garden, most people like to have fresh herbs. Having a natural supply of herbs is wonderful for cooking, grilling and even barbecuing. And with the right herb garden layout it also looks wonderful in your garden. Before you can harvest those delicious herbs you need to consider a few aspects of herb garden layout for an effective and sustainable growth of herbs.

Natural elements to consider

For your herb garden layout, it is important to effectively plan and manage the natural elements involved in your garden. The herb garden layout should integrate nicely into the existing garden layout. However keep in mind what conditions the herbs need (sun, shade, moisture etc.). If you do this, you can successfully create a herb garden layout that will give you fresh herbs all year round.

Herb garden layout and plant type

Herb plants are just like other plants, some are highly sensitive while others are strong durable and easy to grow. Most herbs need little attention but there are a few that do need some extra protection during the first year. You need to be aware of the needs of the plants when you create your herb garden layout. You can also grow some herb plants in pots, this way they won't grow expansively and stay at one place. But remember that you need to water plants in pots more. It is important to have an effective herb garden layout for all these different needs.

When you are creating a herb garden layout within your existing garden layout you should consider the characteristics of the particular spot you picked:

Determine the type of soil in your garden:

• Sandy

• Sandy loam

• Loam

• Clay loam

• Clay

• Silty loam

• Silt

Determine the Soil pH:

• Acidic (< 7.0)

• Neutral (7.0)

• Alkaline (> 7.0)

And don't forget:

• lighting coverage

• irrigation

• possible threats

These are the things you should consider for your integrated herb garden layout. This will determine the type of herbs you can place in your existing garden.

For lighting and watering you should consider the following for a plan for your herb garden layout.

A good way to grow a healthy herb garden is in raised vegetable garden beds but you must also consider the lighting coverage wherein your herbs are placed. The plants that require more sunlight should be placed in a region that is constantly or largely lighted. You should also be aware of the watering conditions because that must also be included in the outdoor herb garden layout.

The more sensitive type of herb plants should placed in elevated and shielded portions from rain while plants that require a larger supply of water should placed lower and near a constant water source.

Through your herb garden layout and critically looking at and including all possible factors, you will create a wonderful sustainable and productive outdoor herb garden.