How to Grow Hardy Producing Herbs

Planting and Care

• 1

  Add some compost or 5-10-10 ratio fertilizer to the soil before planting during the spring, as the National Gardening Association suggests. Use 1.5 to 2 pounds of fertilizer for every 100 square feet or till in a 2-inch thick layer of organic compost.

• 2

  Plant the starter herb plants in the soil at the same depth as they came in their starter pots.

• 3

  Water the herbs immediately and continue to give them about 1 inch of water a week during spring, summer and fall. In extremely hot climates and dry weather gardeners may need to give them more than 1 inch of water a week if the plants start to droop or the soil feels dry beneath the surface.

• 4

  Harvest herbs throughout spring and summer as needed for cooking. Clemson University suggests harvesting flowering herb foliage before the plants flower and harvesting flowers before they fully open. Pruning and harvesting stimulates new growth, so gardeners should prune herbs occasionally even when they do not want to eat them.

Winter Protection

• 5

  Stop harvesting and pruning herbs in late summer and fall. Harvesting encourages new growth, which cold winter temperatures easily damage.

• 6

  Stop fertilizing herbs after early August to prevent easily damaged new growth. Wait until after winter and lightly fertilize herbs during the spring.

• 7

  Cut herbs to a height of 4 to 6 inches after the first few frosts of winter, as the National Gardening Association suggests.

• 8

  Cover the herbs in about 3 inches of mulch to protect them from cold.

• 9

  Cover the herbs with evergreen tree boughs if the garden sits in an area with harsh winter wind exposure. Wind can damage and dry out herb plants, so gardeners should provide extra wind protection during harsh weather.