Where to Locate Your Herb Garden

Indoors

• The most convenient location to grow cooking herbs is right in the kitchen. Since most herbs grow in small sizes, a windowsill setting can be ideal. You can buy special planters that fit a windowsill or line up several small pots. Look for a window that gets at least six hours of sun a day so the herbs will stay healthy. Keep the herbs from temperature extremes, so a window right behind the stove top might get too hot for the little plants. Typically windows on the south or west side of your house will get enough sunlight for herbs to thrive. With an indoor herb garden you can enjoy fresh herbs all year long.

Outdoors

• While it's not quite as convenient as the kitchen, locating your herb garden outdoors offers increased options. Choose a place that is easily accessed from your kitchen so that you can step outside while you're cooking to harvest the herbs you need. Outdoor herb gardens need plenty of sun and water to thrive. Make sure soil isn't too acidic and mix in plenty of compost before planting the herbs. Check with local gardening expects to find out what type of soil you have and what you need to do to prepare it for herbs.

Sun

• The same sunlight rule applies outdoors as it does indoors. Herbs need, on average, at least six hours of sunlight a day. Each plant will be different, but in general you can expect that the more leafy a plant, the less sun it needs. Basil can do thrive on four or five hours, while rosemary does better with seven or eight hours. Look at the leaf size of your plants if you need to place some of them where there will be less sun available.

Water

• Most herbs like moist, but not sopping wet soil. Consistent water and good drainage are necessary. If you live in a dry climate you need to water your herbs every few days throughout the summer. If they appear wilted, hit them with a refreshing spray. Position the herb garden close enough to your water supply so that you can keep them drinking regularly. A mounded or raised bed will help control the water supply to your delicious plants.