Herb Garden Tutorial

Select herbs based on preference for annuals or perennials, as well as short or tall growth habits. Pick fragrant herbs such as lavender or mint for teas and craft projects. Plan to grow kitchen herbs such as parsley, rosemary, or thyme if want them for cooking. Search through websites such as Culinary Herb Guide (see Resources) to learn the uses, mature size, spacing needs, and life cycle (annual or perennial) to make your decisions.

Select an area to grow your herbs that rests in full sun and drains well. The size of your herb garden should depend on the number of herb plants you want to grow and the spacing needs of the varieties you have chosen. For a fair amount of herbs, one healthy plant of each variety may be sufficient, however, plan to grow more than one of each variety if you expect heavy fresh herb use, plan to give herbs away, or want to dry herbs for later.

Remove the sod layer of your herb garden area to expose the soil underneath. Dig into the soil 8 to 10 inches deep and break apart clumps while removing rocks and debris from the soil. Spread a 4-to-6-inch deep layer of compost, well rotted manure, or garden soil over the entire garden area. Dig the soil once more to mix the amendment with the existing soil.

Plant herb seeds and seedlings into your prepared bed following the depth and spacing needs of each plant. Wet the soil to moisten it evenly and keep the soil damp for the first month as the plants' roots grow.

Water the garden on a weekly or twice weekly basis depending on rainfall in your area. The roots of your plants shouldn't be left in dry soil but don't saturate the soil so regularly that the roots cannot receive air from the soil.

Harvest herbs regularly according to the method needed for the type of herb you are growing. Some herbs can be collected a few leaves at a time like basil while others such as oregano can handle entire stems being cut back to only six inches tall.