If you’re a beginner, stick with herbs that are low-maintenance, like chives, basil, and parsley. You’ll need to water consistently (but not so much that the soil is saturated), and harvest often.
Make sure your container has a good drainage system; overwatering is the number one killer of herbs. Then, fill it with potting soil or a mix that’s meant for herbs.
Location
Herbs do best in a location that is sheltered, sunny, and close to the kitchen or dining areas, so that you can easily cut herbs as needed. They grow well in a vegetable garden, in containers on a patio, or even inside a bright window.
Choose herbs based on the ones you use most often and those that do best in your garden area. You may also want to consider herbal plants that are useful for medicinal purposes. For example, you might want to include chamomile for insomnia or lavender for stress relief, as well as plants that help control a specific health issue, such as high blood pressure.
Full sun coverage for at least five to six hours a day and well-draining soil are vital to successful herb growth. If the area you have selected does not meet these conditions, consider building raised beds or bringing in additional topsoil to create ideal growing conditions.
When starting your herb garden, be sure to add Scotts Performance Naturals(tm) Soil Improver or Scotts Osmocote Plus Organics Vegetable & Herb Mix before planting. This will ensure that the soil has the proper nutrients for a healthy start to your herb patch.
Many herb plants are easy to propagate, particularly perennials such as thyme, rosemary, and mint. This is done by digging up the entire plant, including its roots, on a cool, cloudy day and using sterilized tools to divide the crown and root system into two or more pieces. This can be done to provide herbs for friends or family, regenerate older, slowed-growing plants, or control those that are aggressively taking over landscaping beds.
Soil
Herbs need well-draining soil, amended with compost or other organic material. Most herb plants thrive in full sun, but some, such as rosemary and thyme, also tolerate light shade. Herbs need very little fertilizer to thrive — too much nitrogen can promote excess vegetative growth at the expense of the oils that give the herbs their flavor. A light application of a liquid organic vegetable fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or all-purpose plant food, is a good idea.
Herbal gardens can be grown in the ground, in raised beds, or containers. If you are starting from seeds, sow them indoors in a shallow container filled with peat-free compost. Cover the seedbed with a plastic bag to create a mini greenhouse and keep the compost moist until the seeds germinate, which generally takes about 10 days. Once the herbs are a few inches tall, they can be moved outside.
If you’re starting with established plants, if possible, choose perennials to reduce your annual planting workload. Perennials also allow the garden to become more established and beautiful over time. If you do select some annuals, try to limit them to herbs that add color and texture to the garden. Examples include lavender, chives, and creeping varieties of thyme.
When separating existing plants, do so towards the end of the growing season when top growth is slowing. This will reduce the stress on the herbs as they are separated.
Water
Herbs need consistent moisture but should not be overwatered. As a general rule, water plants when the top inch of soil feels dry. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering stresses the plant. The best time to water herbs is in the morning, as this allows the plants to absorb water before heat and sunlight cause evaporation. A layer of mulch can help retain soil moisture and reduce evaporation.
Depending on the type of herb, you may choose to grow from seeds or seedlings. Seeds are less expensive, but take longer to develop into full herb plants. Herbs that are annuals (like basil, cilantro, and dill) need to be replanted each year, while perennials like rosemary, oregano, and thyme can be harvested season after season.
When growing from seeds, select large seeds and space them far apart to ensure good germination. If starting with seedlings, make sure your planter, pot, or container has drainage holes in the bottom.
If you are new to gardening, consider starting with heartier herbs that don’t require a lot of maintenance. Rosemary, oregano, thyme, and mint are great starter herbs, as are chives and parsley. As you get a feel for caring for your herbs, you can branch out into more difficult-to-care-for herbs.
Light
Herbs love sunlight, and the more, the better. If you’re growing them outdoors, opt for a sunny spot where they’ll get at least six hours of direct sun each day. Indoors, look for a south-facing window that gets at least that much light, or supplement with fluorescent bulbs (see more below).
The right kind of watering is essential, too. Most herbs need consistently moist soil, but not soggy. To avoid over-watering, try to water in the morning instead of the evening. And if you’re using containers, make sure they have good drainage to prevent puddling or runoff.
Finally, it’s important to rotate your herbs regularly so that all parts of the plant receive equal amounts of sunlight. If you’re not doing that, the outer and lower leaves will grow faster than the middle ones, and your herbs won’t be as flavorful.
If you’re a beginner, you might want to stick with heartier herbs like rosemary, oregano, thyme, and mint, as well as parsley and cilantro, as these are less finicky than others. Also, consider avoiding fertilizer, as it can affect the flavor of some herbs. As Martha Stewart told TODAY, you’ll find that “everything is a lot healthier when it’s not over-fertilized.”