Tips on Growing Fresh Herbs

Culture

• Grow herbs organically to avoid garden product chemicals being absorbed by the plants. Choose a spot in full sun with well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Herbs grown in the ground benefit from the yearly addition of compost, or other organic matter to the soil they are growing in to increase drainage and improve the soil structure. Top dress the area around the plant with 3 inches of compost in early spring and allow the earthworms to incorporate the organic matter into the soil. This will prevent root disturbance. Choose a high quality potting soil for container grown herbs, and incorporate an organic slow-release fertilizer into the soil before planting the herbs.

Propagation

• Herbs are propagated in a variety of ways. Some are grown from seed and some multiply asexually by layering, division or by rooting cuttings. Growing herbs from seed is the most common method of propagation. Sow herb seed in flats in late winter indoors, or use the winter sowing method of starting seeds outdoors after December 21. The winter sowing method involves sowing seeds in miniature greenhouses made out of plastic 2-liter bottles, filled half-way with seed starter mix. Be sure the miniature greenhouses have some type of holes in both the top and bottom for air circulation and drainage. Direct seed anise, coriander, fennel and dill into the garden in early spring, since these herbs are not easy to transplant.

Harvesting Tips

• Harvest herbs first thing in the morning right after the dew has dried. This is the time of day when the herbs are the most flavorful. Once the sun comes up, the essential oils the leaves produce, which is what creates the flavor, will start to evaporate. Wait three days after a rain to pick herbs so the essential oils that were washed away have time to accumulate again. Harvest the amount of herbs you need for that day, making sure not to remove more than 1/3 of the plant. Submerge herbs in room temperature water as soon as you cut them to keep them fresh.

Growing Year-round

• It is possible to keep a variety of herbs growing all year long outdoors, under cover. Chives, garlic, parsley, sage and thyme will thrive in a cold frame over winter. A cold frame is a simple box-like structure with a clear plastic or glass top. Indoor herbs benefit from growing in a south- or west-facing window. In the event that a sunny window is not available, use supplemental lighting. A grow bulb placed in a lamp will work. Harvest indoor grown herbs on a regular basis to encourage the plant to bush.