Herb Garden and Landscaping

Planning

• With a little planning, herb gardens can be a decorative part of your landscape. You will first need to determine where you want to plant your herb garden. Perhaps you want to situate it somewhere that's easily accessible from your kitchen, making adding fresh herbs to your culinary creations a snap. You also might want to consider placing a stone or concrete border around your herb garden for decorative purposes or a fence to keep out wildlife.

Seed Starting

• If you plan to buy your herbs from garden or grocery stores, it is unnecessary to start seeds at home. However, starting seeds is an affordable option for aspiring herb gardeners. To start seeds, place new soil and seeds in individual peat pots and water thoroughly to saturate the sides of the pot. Maintain with fresh water for several weeks until they sprout and are ready for transplanting. If possible, you can also take clippings from existing herb plants, soak them in water until they form new roots and plant them in nitrogen-rich soil.

Choosing Herbs

• The location of your herb garden will require you to consider which herbs you want to plant. For example, if you choose a shady location in your yard, such as under a tree or awning, you will need to choose plants that can thrive in this environment. Parsley and lemon balm do well in partial shade; herbs such as basil and oregano need direct sunlight during daytime hours. Another factor to consider when choosing your herbs is how much time you have to dedicate to the garden. Cilantro and chervil, for example, typically require more maintenance than rosemary or thyme.

Planting

• Some preparation work might be needed before you are ready to plant your herb garden. You might need to remove weeds from the ground or till the soil to encourage the growth of new plants. Fresh compost will improve the soil for planting and contribute to the health of your herbs. Some gardeners choose to plant their herbs in container gardens, keeping their plants confined to individual planters. This is an option that allows the plants to be conveniently relocated as needed.

Maintenance

• Consider the maintence needs of each individual plant. For example, some plants might need to be watered daily, while others will suffer if they become waterlogged. Harvest your herbs regularly to stimulate new growth and encourage a bountiful garden.