Starting an Herb Garden
Herbs are one of the easiest ways to begin gardening.
They fit in:
- Raised beds
- Containers
- Window boxes
- Vegetable gardens
- Landscape borders
Start With Herbs You Use
Good beginner herbs include:
- Basil
- Parsley
- Chives
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Mint
- Dill
- Cilantro
Sun
Most herbs prefer at least:
- 6 hours of direct sun
Parsley, cilantro, and some leafy herbs tolerate a bit less.
Soil and Drainage
Most herbs dislike soggy soil.
Mediterranean herbs such as:
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Oregano
need especially good drainage.
Containers Work Well
Containers are excellent for herbs because you can control:
- Soil
- Water
- Location
They are especially useful for mint.
Keep Mint Contained
Mint spreads aggressively by underground stems.
Plant it in its own container unless you truly want mint everywhere.
Group by Water Needs
Group:
More Moisture
- Basil
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Chives
Drier Conditions
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Sage
Harvest Often
Regular harvesting encourages branching and fresh growth.
Avoid removing more than about one-third of the plant at once unless you are intentionally cutting it back.
Let Some Herbs Flower
Flowering herbs attract beneficial insects and pollinators.
Excellent choices include:
- Dill
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Chives
Succession Plant Cilantro
Cilantro bolts quickly in warm weather.
Plant small batches during cooler months instead of expecting one plant to last all season.
GardenGrowz Tip
Put herbs close to the kitchen.
The closer they are, the more likely you are to use them.