Growing herbs

Different herbs require different growing conditions, some can only be grown in the tropics others need special soil and much more, so this page is not intended to tell you how to grow every herb (this information will eventually be provided on every herbal page, but bear with me that takes a lot of research and time).

This page lists some of the things to do or remember when growing herbs:

• If possible, do not use insecticides. You are growing the herb for its specific constituents. At best the insecticide will add unexpected additional constituents, at worst it could turn your medicinal remedy base toxic. If you are forced to use insecticides ensure that you use an insecticide that degrades without a trace and do not use before harvesting. Most insecticide manufacturers state on the packaging if it is safe for fruit and vegetables (and herbs although they hardly ever mention it) and how long before harvesting it can be used. Err on the safe side.
• Plant and grow herbs in the season they should be grown. It may be possible to grow herbs out of season but this must be avoided because most herbs have to be harvested at just the right time in the season to ensure that they have the correct mix of constituents expected.
• Harvest at the right time. In some cases this is before flowering, others it is during flowering, some in spring when it first sprouts others in autumn when it is all over. Again this is important to ensure that you get the correct mix of constituents.
• Harvest the right part. If you do not know which part to harvest, do nor grow the herb as there are many that are only not toxic in that one thing you need to gather during harvesting and if you do not know what you are doing you could poison yourself or others.