Spring is just around the corner! My husband and I are itching to get our vegetable garden planted and add some flowers to our yard. One thing that we love year round is our little herb garden window. It’s just a tiny piece of fresh produce that keeps us going through the winter. In the beginning, it can be hard to learn which herbs grow well indoors or outdoors and how to care for them. That’s where avid gardener Craig comes in! Read on for Craig’s pro-tips to beginner herb gardening. You can also check out Craig’s Complete Guide on How to Grow an Indoor Herb Garden over on his blog Everything Backyard.

Pro-tips for Starting an Herb Garden

Growing an herb garden can be a challenging experience, especially for the beginner. It can take both time and energy but the rewards of fresh picked herbs to season your cooking is extraordinaire and invaluable.

Compared to vegetable and fruits, herbs are much easier to grow. The maintenance is fairly low and growing tips are pretty simple for most plants. With a lot of love and attention, your herb garden should have no trouble flourishing if you follow a few professional tips.

Which Plants to Choose

When it comes to horticulture, there are numerous plants to choose from. Most professionals will recommend that a beginner start with the easier plants to grow. However, a plant will generally thrive if given the perfect conditions and environment.

Some of the simplest plants to grow include:

• Oregano – an easy to grow plant that bears light purple or white flowers in late summer. It prefers full sun in well-drained soil. Oregano is another great choice for containers.
• Basil – comes in many varieties and succeeds in most zones. Plant basil in well-drained soil and has exposure to full sun.
• Parsley – there are two types (flat-leaf for cooking and curly leafed for garnishes). Both types attract butterflies. Grow in full sun to partial shade using moist, rich soil.
• Chives – a great perennial border for sunny locations with well-drained soil. Chives are also a good choice for container gardens.
• Rosemary – rosemary is a shrubby evergreen that thrives in zones 7-10. However, the plant can survive in cooler climates. Look for cold hardy cultivars that are acclimatized for cold northern climates. The plant needs a well-drained soil and flourishes dry, hot and sunny locations. As well, rosemary is another plant that does well in containers.
• Dill – dill has to be one of the easiest plants to grow. It matures quickly and often will self-seed with volunteers for the next season if seeds are allowed to mature. Prefers full sun.
• Lavender – this easy to grow plant comes can be grown in zones 5-9. Over time, it generally grows to the size of a small bush. However, the plant will not get real big in colder climates. Plant is well drained soil and full sun.
• Mint – mint comes in many varieties like peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint, catmint and other types. It spreads quickly once it is established. Mint prefers a partial shade but will tolerate full sun.
• Sage – there are over 900 varieties to choose from. It has an attractive blue flower and a pleasant aroma that deters bugs. It is also another great container plant. Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

Where to Plant and Soil

When selecting an area for planting, make sure there is good drainage. The majority of herbs do not grow well in wet soil. If your garden space is wet then you can remedy the problem by modifying the soil. For clay soil add organic material like leaves, compost, peat, horticulture sand, tree bark or wood chips. You can also add worms to help aerate the soil. If there is standing water or small pools, redirect the water to drain from the area by creating a gutter.

Seeds or Transplants

Most all herbs can be grown from seed. In fact, planting seeds is the most cost effective and generally produces higher yields. On the other hand, transplants reduce the work load and offer an “instant” success. Plus with transplants, there is minimal early season planting. For beginners, using transplants may be the key to a successful “green thumb”. Keep in mind – dill, anise, fennel and coriander do not transplant well, you will need to sow the seeds directly into the ground. If you plant seeds, makes sure to mist the soil to keep it moist and prevent the seeds from drying out. Also, a good rule of thumb “the finer a seed is, the shallower it needs to be sown”.

Fertilizing

Fertilizer is not absolutely necessary if you have good nutrient soil. However, it helps ensure that the soil is has enough nutrients for your plants. Make sure to read instructions before applying fertilizer to the soil. Also, do not over fertilize, it can damage or kill your plants. It is best to prepare your soil and fertilize at least two weeks before planting. Re-apply fertilizer after your plants have the initial growth burst and then every one or two months until the end of the season.

Meet Craig

“I love to spend all the time I can outdoors and find every excuse to leave my house. I write about everything from backyard DIY projects to gardening. If you can’t get a hold of me I am probably on a trail or a boat.”

Head on over to Everything Backyard to see what Craig is up to and find some great home projects for yourself. Thanks for guest writing, Craig!