How to Grow Herbs in Florida During a Drought

Growing herbs in a Florida home garden can provide an endless supply of fresh seasonings for your culinary pursuits. Herbs can be added fresh to your concoctions to enliven otherwise mundane dishes or dried for later use. However, drought can bring herb production to a screeching halt. Even though the state of Florida receives an average of 54.02 inches of rainfall a year, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, rain typically varies dramatically from month to month. Planting drought-tolerant herbs can ensure success even in the driest of months.

Tiller
Sphagnum peat moss
Manure
Drought-tolerant herbs
Borage seeds
Chives sets
Fennel seeds
Lavender plants
Sage plants
Oregano plants
Rosemary plants
Savory seeds
Thyme seeds
Mulch
Soaker hose

Instructions

- 1
  Locate an area of your yard or garden that gets at least six hours of sun daily. Although some herbs do well with less sun, the rule of thumb for herbs is, the more sun, the better.
- 2
  
  Till the herb garden eight inches deep.
  
  Till your new herb garden to a depth of eight inches.
- 3
  Work in a generous supply of sphagnum peat moss and well-rotted manure. During drought, sphagnum peat moss helps retain moisture in the soil. Don't skimp on peat moss.
- 4
  
  Fennel is a drought-tolerant herb that is grown from seed.
  
  Sow drought-tolerant herb seeds. In Florida, plant borage from October through May, fennel and savory from October through March, and thyme year-round.
- 5
  
  Chives are grown from sets.
  
  Plant drought-tolerant chives. Florida gardeners can set these onion-like herbs anytime from October to May.
- 6
  
  Plant lavender October through April in Florida.
  
  Transplant drought-tolerant plants. Lavender and sage perform best when planted October through April. Plant oregano and rosemary anytime of year.
- 7
  Apply mulch four to five inches thick after seedlings emerge. Like the soil amendments in Step 2, mulching your new herb garden helps it weather a drought.
- 8
  Position the soaker hose to ensure uniform absorption of water throughout the herb garden. Using a common garden sprinkler is also an option.

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