Easy Herb Garden

Outdoor Herb Garden

• The first thing to consider when you are planting an outdoor herb garden is how much space you have. The size of your herb bed is directly proportionate to how many different herbs you can plant or how much of each herb you can plant.

  Herbs can be planted outdoors in existing gardens and bordering flower beds as well as in their own bed. Herbs can also be planted in pots or window boxes, which keeps them contained so that they don't take up as much room.

  Try to plant your herb bed close to your kitchen door for convenience. This way you can step out to cut oregano for your spaghetti sauce or basil to use in that pesto recipe you want to try.

  Once you know how much space you have, decide what kind of herb bed you want. Are you specifically interested in culinary herbs? If so, plant things like rosemary, sage, basil, dill and chives.

  Or maybe you are leaning toward using your herbs in crafts and you are looking for scented herbs like lavender, lemon balm and the unmistakable licorice scent of anise hyssop.

  Perhaps you would like herbs of each type. If you have a lot of space, go for it. If not, choose only a couple of each. Just beware of herbs that can be invasive, like mint. Given the opportunity they will take over any size herb bed.

  Once planted, herbs require very little care. Weed them as you would your flower beds or vegetable garden, and water when the soil is dry.

Indoor Herb Garden

• There is almost nothing cheerier when the snow is piling up outside than fresh herbs growing on your kitchen windowsill or counter. Growing herbs indoors is easy and with minimum care, you can enjoy their flavors and scents all year long.

  The first thing to do is find a bright, sunny indoor spot. Herbs thrive on sunlight--the more the better. A southern exposure is ideal and a northern exposure is not desirable as the plants won't get enough sun.

  Decide on your containers. This can be a fun project because you can use just about any container that is big enough for the plant that will go into it and that has sufficient drainage. Of course you may go with the traditional clay pot or you might want to try some of the many decorative containers available at your local nursery or any store with a garden department.

  You can start your herbs from seed but it is easier to buy the young plants and transplant them into your containers. Be sure you are using good soil and compost. A nursery employee can tell you what works best.

  An indoor herb garden shouldn't be watered too much or the herbs will not thrive. A good rule of thumb for knowing if your plants need watering is to stick your index finger into the soil down to the first knuckle. If the soil is dry, then the plant needs water. If the soil is damp, it is best to wait until it dries out before watering again.

  An easy way to start an indoor herb garden is to purchase one of the many available herb garden kits available today.