How to Start an Herb Garden From Seed

Plant herbs after the last frost in your area. These frost-sensitive plants require warm soil and air temperatures for germination and healthy growth. Put them in the garden at the same time as sensitive vegetable plants such as tomatoes, squash, corn and beans.

Put herbs in a spot that gets bright sun for six hours a day with good air circulation and quick drainage. Drainage is especially important for biennial and perennial herbs, which must survive winter rains. Set aside a section of new or established space for the herb garden.

Mix at least 1 inch of organic compost into the top 4 to 5 inches of soil in the site to give the herbs a loose, nutritious and quick-draining foundation. Herbs cannot grow in tight or poor soil. Add balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer to the top 4 inches of soil per manufacturer directions.

Plant herbs that grow well from seeds, according to your preferences. Options include borage, anise, caraway, basil, catnip, chamomile, sage, chives, comfrey, dill, tansy, coriander, cumin and fennel. Group the herbs according to growing habit for easier gardening.

Mark your plantings with stakes and labels to keep track of what you've planted and where it is growing. This is especially important with herbs, which can appear similar even when fully grown.

Water the garden with 2 inches of water, and put each herb patch on an herb-specific watering schedule. Mulch the garden with 1 to 2 inches of organic mulch such as sawdust or wood chips to prevent splashing and drying.