Dr. Jonathan Vrban, formerly a medical practitioner in California, now lives in Hawaii where he enjoys gardening and growing various herbs. The document provides tips for growing herbs successfully, emphasizing the importance of drainage and using well-draining soil, adding lime or gypsum if the soil is not alkaline or sandy. It also recommends integrating compost into sandy or clay-like soil to enhance plant growth and pinching off flower blooms and leaves to encourage more leaf growth and stronger root systems after transplanting.

2.  A former medical practitioner in California, Dr.
Jonathan Vrban now lives in Hawaii. He spends
his days cooking, baking, and gardening. Dr.
Jonathan Vrban garden includes mint, chive,
oregano, basil, and a variety of other herbs.
Drainage is of the utmost importance when
growing herbs. Using quality soil that drains
well, but retains moisture and nutrients helps
plants flourish and avoid root rot. For land that
does not have alkaline or sandy soil, adding
powdered lime or gypsum helps with drainage.

3.  For plots of land that are overly sandy or
made of clay, integrating chopped leaves
and compost enhances growth.
Pinching is another vital aspect of caring for
herbs. Just as flowers begin to appear, the
gardener should pinch off the blooms. This
encourages more leaves to grow. Likewise,
removing the top two leaves after
transplanting an herb stimulates roots,
allowing it to adapt to it new surroundings.