Thinking about planting an herb garden? If this is new to you, start simple with one or two herbs and see how it goes!
1. Choose a Location: Most herbs need sunlight and well-drained soil. Look for a location that gets six or more hours of sunlight a day and is well drained⁴. Planting near the kitchen or near the house will make it easier to harvest herbs from the herb garden⁴.
2. Prepare the Soil: Prepare the soil by adding plenty of compost. If the soil is sandy or clay heavy, add more compost⁴. Avoid using composted manures in the herb garden as they are typically high in nitrogen, which can reduce the flavor of the herbs⁴.
3. Choose the Herbs: Choose the herbs you want to grow. Some common herbs that people grow when first starting an herb garden are Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, Chives, Mint, Sage, and Dill⁴.
4. Plant the Herbs: Herbs can be started from seed or planted as plants. Planting herb plants is easier than starting them from seed⁴. Dig a small hole for each plant and carefully place the roots into the soil⁸. Gently pat the soil around the plant to secure it in place⁸.
5. Water the Herbs: After planting, give your herbs a good drink of water⁸. Make sure to water them regularly, especially during hot and dry weather⁸. Keep the soil moist but not soggy until the seeds germinate⁷.
6. Harvest the Herbs: Harvest your herbs frequently. Frequent harvesting of herbs will result in the herb plant producing more and more foliage, which increases the amount you are able to harvest⁴.
The specific needs of each herb may vary, so it's a good idea to do a little research on each herb you plan to grow. There are eight resources listed below to help you get started. Enjoy your herb gardening! 🌿
(1) Starting An Herb Garden: How To Plant An Herb Garden - Gardening Know How. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/plant-herb-garden.htm
(2) How to Plant an Herb Garden: Easy Guide for Beginners. https://chefd.com/how-to-plant-an-herb-garden/
(3) How to Grow Herbs - Harvest to Table. https://harvesttotable.com/how-to-grow-herbs/
(4) Planting an Herb Garden. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG4v_qJV-KI
(5) How to Plant a Culinary Herb Garden! DIY Kitchen Garden. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbYbI-uGEyg
(6) HERB GARDENS BEGINNERS GUIDE || HOW TO || GARDEN BASICS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mWH5ajGJF4
(7) How to Start a Successful Herb Garden and 6 Mistakes to ... - MorningChores. https://morningchores.com/herb-garden/
(8) How to Grow an Herb Garden (with Pictures) - wikiHow Life. https://www.wikihow.life/Grow-an-Herb-Garden
Peace
Just started to grow peppermint - this morning I picked a few 'leaves' from the plant and placed them in a pitcher of water to give some flavoring. Might try growing something else I use in recipes, e.g., basil.