How to Start a Beginner Herb Garden | Tips for Success
Sharing how to create a beginner herb garden along with my best tips for success to get you started right.
It was always my dream to have a lush herb garden right outside my kitchen window. A place that I could go to clip the various leafy herbs I like to use in the kitchen. A place that looked beautiful plentiful, and above all be manageable. My first herb garden started with a lavender plant that erupted into a glorious bush and a few other plants I killed. A sort of simultaneous success and failure. Somewhat bittersweet.
It wasn’t until I actually took the time to read up on which herbs grew best together and what their growing requirements were that I was able to have what I imagined. That lush, green sight of abundant herbs that sits right on the other side of the wall of my kitchen.
Herbs are one of the simplest things to grow. But this is only true once you know a few things. First being, what grows best with what. Second, what will actually grow from seed and what is better off as a plant start from the local nursery. In this blog post I am sharing all my favorite herbs to grow and ones that I believe are truly what the beginner herb enthusiast will find true success with.
So whether you are wanting to grow a massive kitchen garden or you just want a few to snip from a sunny windowsill. This guide will show you everything you need to get started growing healthy herbs.
So lets get started…
Why Grow Herbs
The reason is probably pretty obvious but bear with me here on this. Growing herbs will of course allow you access to delicious fresh herbs that you can use in the kitchen for cooking, making homemade soaps, or using for medicinal purposes.
Choosing to grow your herbs saves money, and allows you to enhance your experience in the kitchen. All while giving the magical effect of garden-to-table eating that comes with any sort of edible garden. Cutting fresh herbs either for bouquets or for dinner is a sweet experience all its own. Don’t believe me? Join me in the kitchen as I share the Romance of Herbs.
Steps for Starting an Herb Garden
If you are a beginner here are some simple steps you will want to consider when starting an herb garden.
1. Pick a Growing Area
If you are planting your herbs outside, find a sunny location. Most culinary herbs like ample amounts of sunshine to grow. This isn’t to say they need an entire day of full sunlight as many herbs will benefit from filtered sunlight. But the spot chosen should be sufficiently sunny for the particular herbs you are growing.
Herbs that can benefit from filtered sunlight are basil, cilantro, and parsley which are more tender herbs. Many herbs are happy with 4-5 hours of sunlight. Do your research on the particular herbs you want to grow before deciding on the area as this help you in picking the perfect spot to place them. Below you will find a list of the easiest herbs to grow, their growing zones and conditions for success.
2. Select the herbs
Once you do your research on the particular herbs you want to grow, it is time to not just select them but choose how you want them to start their new lives. Seed or plant starts? Cost is something to consider as starting from seed is much more cost-effective. If time is the major factor, then purchasing plant starts from a local nursery might be the best option. Below I have listed the herbs that grow easily from seed to help you decide.
3. Soil
Soil is an important factor for anything you want to grow. Don’t just get dirt from your backyard, get good quality potting soil for your herbs. This will ensure proper drainage and nutrients for them to thrive.
4. Containers/Raised Beds/In Ground
If you don’t have a lot of space containers are a great option. Keep in mind that herbs in larger containers tend to dry out more quickly where as small pots can only fit one type of plant. Whatever you decide, choose pots that offer good drainage. You want the soil moist but not waterlogged after watering. The good news when choosing to make your own herb garden in a container is that you can move them if needed and help protect them from harsh weather if necessary.
If you can spare a raised bed in your vegetable garden or actually just want to make a raised bed for an herb bed, this is even easier. Since raised beds can be mulched to keep water in and provide ample space for growing different varieties of herbs.
My herb bed is planted directly in the ground which meant that I have needed to amend my soil quite a bit to ensure the herbs are happy. We have hard packed soil here and for many seasons I added mushroom compost to the bed which has resulted in soil that drains better and is more fertile. The best way to decide, to think of what is manageable for you and go from there.
5. Water
Water is vital for herbs. Too much will drown them and too little will dry them out. So be sure to water consistently. Many herbs like their soil moist but not waterlogged and need to be regularly watered. Be sure to note the water needs before planting herbs together. For example, Rosemary does not require lots of water or even daily watering whereas basil should be watered daily. It is important to consider watering needs prior to planting.
6. Pruning
Once your plants are established, it is time to begin enjoying them. To keep them healthy and growing abundantly, clip off any dead growth you see. Use kitchen scissors or pinch off at the nod to clip off the herbs. Pruning will naturally occur as you begin cooking with your herbs and this will help encourage new growth.
Herbs That Easily Grow From Seed
Growing herbs from seeds might seem impossible however, you would be surprised at just how easy many can grow from seed. With the right location, regular watering, and good soil, these herbs will grow easily from seed.
- Basil
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Chamomile
- Dill
- Calendula
- Lemon Balm
- Mint
- Lemon Verbena
- Thyme
- Chives
Easy Herbs To Care For
Some of the easiest plants to care for are also vigorous growers. Mint, calendula, lemon balm, and lemon verbena spread in the areas they are grown as they drop seeds at the end of their lives. So if you plant them into the ground, make sure it is a place where it is ok to spread or that can be contained. If you are a beginner gardener, a list of the easiest herbs to care for is so that you can set yourself up for success. Below are 5 of the easiest herbs to care for and what they require.
Mint
Mint will spread easily even with neglect so a word to wise, plant it where it can spread or be contained.
Growing Zones: 3 to 11 (depending on species)
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Needs: Moist, rich, and well-draining soil.
Calendula
A wonderful annual plant that will reseed all over the garden and provide beautiful bright edible flowers for an extended period. The seeds are easy to save and the plant is not only edible but there are many medicinal uses for it as well.
Growing Zones: 2-11
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Needs: Well drained, fertile soil that is not to heavy or compacted.
Lemon Balm
A lemony, bushy green plant that is great for teas, or adding to dishes like salads and soups and also has medicinal uses.
Growing Zones: 3-9
Sun Exposure: Full, partial. Can tolerate shade.
Soil Needs: Well drained slightly sandy soil but can tolerate average to poor soil.
Lemon Verbena
Might not be an herb you think of when wanting to start an herb garden. This plant has a strong lemony flavor great for culinary uses and has medicinal use as well. This herb is easy to grow and requires very little work.
Growing Zones: 8-11
Sun Exposure: Full sun but if in a desert climate, will benefit from afternoon shade
Soil Needs: Well drained, fertile soil
Chives
Chives are hardy perennials that can survive through cold winters and be divided easily as they grow in clumps.
Growing Zones: 3 to 9
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy, medium moisture, well-draining soil
Basil
A wonderful aromatic herb that grows quickly in either a container or the ground.
Growing Zones: 2 to 11
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, and well-draining.
Oregano
Hardy plants that grow quickly in both containers and in the ground.
Growing Zones: 4 to 10
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy, dry to medium moisture, and well-draining.
Dill
Cold hardy and resistant to most diseases. This plant is easy to start from seed and should sow directly in the garden or container.
Growing Zones: 2 to 11
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture and well-draining.
Good Companion Herbs
Understanding how plants interact with one another is one of the most useful gardening tips to consider. Whether planted in containers or straight into the ground many herbs tend to do better when planted near companion herbs. Some factors to consider are watering requirements, soil conditions, and access to sunlight. Below you will find a list of herbs and great companions to save you the trouble of researching.
- Basil- Grows well with parsley and oregano
- Bay- Grows well with rosemary, sage, parsley, and thyme
- Chives- Grows well with dill, marjoram, tarragon, and parsley
- Dill- Grows well with chives, lemon balm, lemon thyme and lovage
- Marjoram- Grows well with basil, chives, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme and lavender
- Mint- oregano but NOT parsley (Mint is a vigorous spreader so be sure to plant it in its own container or an area it can be contained)
- Oregano- grows well with parsley, basil, chives, rosemary, sage, savory, and thyme.
- Parsley- grows well with basil, chives, dill, fennel, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, sage, rosemary, oregano, savory, and thyme.
- Rosemary- Grows well with bay, basil, chives, fennel, lavender, lemon verbena, marjoram, oregano, parsley, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme
- Sage- Grows well with fennel, lavender, lemon balm, lemon thyme, lemon verbena, lovage, oregano, parsley, rosemary, savory, thyme, and tarragon.
- Tarragon- Grows well with chives, lemon balm, lemon thyme, parsley, rosemary, and sage.
- Thyme- Grows well with bay, basil, chives, lavender, fennel, dill, lemon verbena, lovage, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and savory.
Annual Herbs Vs. Perennial Herbs
If you are a beginner, you might not understand the difference between these two types of herbs. If an herb is an annual, that means it only has one life cycle. So it will last a season or two for that same growing year and then will die off and need to be replanted the following year.
A perennial herb or any perennial plant for that matter, is one that lives on for several seasons, or years and only needs to be planted the once. Some perennial herbs will actually produce all year round if you live in a mild climate like I do. My oregano, lavender, and rosemary thrive year round here in California. A great way to save money in the long run is to invest in perennial herbs. That way you don’t have to continue planting, and buying new ones.
Final Thoughts
Now that we have gone through all the important things to know about growing herbs as beginner gardeners, its time to write out our main goal and plan accordingly. Because the best time to start an herb garden, is when we have the right growing conditions and the correct plants for those conditions. That is to say, we have done our homework and we are not just popping into the garden center to purchase on a whim. Your future herb plants will thank you by thriving.
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