Directions for Herb Garden Planting

Planning

• 1

  Select a 20-by-4-foot area for your garden to have enough space to keep your herbs separated.

• 2

  Select a space for your herb garden near your kitchen. Place your garden in a sunny location for darker foliage and stronger flavors.

• 3

  Amend the soil with organic matter, such as sphagnum peat or compost, before planting your garden to create healthy, loose soil that drains well. Work the material into the soil with a shovel to a depth of about 12 inches.

Planting

• 4

  Keep annuals and perennials separate to give better access for planting your annuals each spring.

• 5

  Sow herb seeds in shallow boxes inside during the winter. Transplant the seedlings to your garden in the spring. Plant anise, fennel, coriander and dill seeds directly into your garden, as they do not transplant well.

• 6

  Sow seeds for perennials, such as rosemary, thyme and sage, directly into the soil outside in late spring. Sow the seeds in shallow rows, covering them lightly with no more than 1/8 inch of soil. Cover the seeds with wet burlap to keep the soil moist during germination.

• 7

  Place mints, such as peppermint or spearmint, in containers to prevent the plants overtaking your garden. Sink clay pots with mint plants into the ground in your garden to contain the plants.

Arrangement

• 8

  Plant parsley, chives or marjoram as border plants. These plants spread out and grow no more than 12 inches in height.

• 9

  Arrange perennials, such as fennel, oregano, sage, rosemary and tarragon in one section of your garden. Thin the plants from 10 to 12 inches apart for best growth and to keep them from intertwining. Plants will grow from 2 to 3 feet in height. Stake fennel plants when they reach 18 inches to prevent them from blowing in the wind.

• 10

  Plant anise, basil, chervil, coriander, dill and summer savory in your annual garden. Place the plants 6 to 10 inches apart. Plants will grow between 1 and 2 feet in height.