Each herb has its own specific requirements for planting and harvesting: when to plant and harvest, the depth of burial needed, the light or shade conditions needed for optimal growth, and whether light, shade, water, or soil should be provided for best growth.
Verify this with the plant tag and your intuition: for instance, certain herbs can tolerate short dry spells between watering sessions without becoming stressed; other plants, like basil, require consistent moisture levels at all times (especially basil). Soil also varies in its acidity and nutrient content.
Use Containers
Container herb gardens offer an easy way to bring herbs into the kitchen. Whether planting single herbs in small pots or mixing multiple varieties in giant planters such as window boxes or hanging baskets, container gardens are an ideal way to bring herbs indoors for winter use if space or desire prevent outdoor gardening.
Growing herbs in containers successfully requires selecting an ideal type of soil and container size for each species of herb you plant. A pot that fits one-third of an herb’s mature height while half its width helps its form maintain a more even growth curve as the plant matures.
Herbs thrive best in well-draining soil. To promote drainage and lower fungal infections, add a layer of grit or gravel at the bottom of containers for optimal growth.
Remember that plants in containers dry out more rapidly than those planted directly into the ground, necessitating more frequent watering sessions than when growing plants in their beds. Herbs, in particular, should be submerged at least twice daily to ensure good growth and success.
When cultivating herbs in clay, terra cotta, or plastic pots, make sure they have large drainage holes for maximum effectiveness and affordability. Such durable yet cost-effective containers offer gardeners with tight budgets an excellent way to grow herbs.
Your herbs may also thrive when planted in metal or wrought iron containers; avoid overheating the soil. Metal tends to heat up quickly, leading to faster evaporation than is typical for its surrounding soil and necessitating additional watering frequency than plants placed in nonmetallic containers.
When growing herbs in containers, make sure they get enough sun. Herbs with aromatic flowers require six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive; if their containers are located in an exposed part of your yard during peak sunlight hours, you may need to move them out, or else they won’t produce as many leaves and blooms.
Purchase Seedlings Instead of Seeds
Growing herbs from seeds is enjoyable and challenging but takes time and dedication. One way to save yourself the trouble of gardening chores is buying seedlings of your favorite herbs instead of sowing seeds from scratch yourself. Seedlings are small plants ready for transplanting into any plot you designate for them or mixed among vegetables, flowers, and perennials in your vegetable or flowerbed. Nurseries offer them as easy options; you could also consider growing them yourself using loose, well-draining soil free from chemicals – or buy seedlings from nurseries!
Depending on your climate zone, begin sowing herb seeds between mid- to late spring or fall. For maximum success, select heirloom, open-pollinated, hybrid, and other high-quality varieties with proven track records; these will produce better germination rates than mass-market varieties found at hardware stores.
Your regional frost dates should provide the information needed to establish the latest time you should plant herbs outdoors. Indoors, they can be grown on sunny windowsills with southern exposure and provided with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day with supplemental lighting to bring them to their fullest potential.
When planting, sow your seeds twice their thickness into the soil and lightly cover them with more mix than you would use to fill a flat. Individual seeds or groups of five or seven should be planted. If overcrowding occurs as they mature, thin them out as needed.
Start your herb gardens using recycled containers or seedling trays from local garden centers. Make sure to add an organic mulch layer for moisture conservation, control of weeds, and aiding decomposition.
Once you get the hang of it, starting herb seeds from scratch is a cost-effective and rewarding gardening option for budget-minded gardeners. Use homemade compost and vermiculite as soil amendments, or consider opting for an all-purpose potting mix that contains more nutrients and less salts than its alternatives.
Before planting seeds, it’s best to aerate and thoroughly wet the soil’s surface. Scatter seeds over this surface layer and lightly cover them with more of your mix; some herbs, such as cilantro or arugula, do better when directly planted into the ground rather than transplanted later.
Make Your Soil
Herbs require space and light to thrive. While an outdoor garden or raised beds might provide the optimal conditions, most homes and yards don’t offer enough sunlight for these plants, especially ones needing full sunlight. As an alternative, use containers as a growing medium for your herbs; remember to monitor soil moisture more regularly than you would with in-ground or more extensive pot gardens, as these tend to dry out more rapidly than their counterparts. You can find attractive terra-cotta pots online for around $8 each, or upcycle old pots with drainage holes built into them from recycling projects!
When planting herbs in containers or gardens, make your soil by mixing equal parts of topsoil, compost, and coarse sand to form a loose blend that allows herbs to flourish while providing essential nutrients for their development. This budget-friendly DIY soil works for nearly any herb, although some prefer slightly more acidity (especially mint family species).
Before planting in your garden, please take steps to improve its soil by loosening it up using compost, peat moss, or coarse sand. Dense soil makes it hard for herbs to root down into it and access the required nutrients, leading to potential issues when growing them successfully.
Once your herbs have been planted, water them regularly if the top inch or two of soil becomes dry. Checking soil moisture levels regularly during summer is especially important if you use many herbs in a sunny location. Adding Miracle-Gro’sMiracle-Gro’s LiquaFeed(r) Tomato, Fruits, & Vegetables every few weeks can ensure lush and flavorful spices.
If you prefer starting your garden from seedlings over seeds, be selective when selecting plants. Only buy herbs that will realistically fit your plans, saving you time and money. Select healthy-looking plants with solid stems that exhibit recent growth for best results.
Don’tDon’t Fertilize
Herbs are susceptible to their environment, requiring light soil that drains well and contains plenty of organic matter for healthy roots. Fertilizing too heavily may lower essential oil concentration, making your herbs weaker and less flavorful; for this reason, purchasing a $5 powdered fertilizer to mix into water before spraying onto leaves may be wise.
Start small and slowly build up your herb garden so you can learn what works best in your climate. Prioritize growing herbs you use in the kitchen—there’s no point in spending money trying to produce something you won’t ever use!
To house your herbs:
- Reduce costs by purchasing a planter box from your local hardware store or home improvement center.
- Consider investing in something more rustic, like wooden planters, which add charm and rustic beauty.
- Once you have your planter container of choice, fill it with equal parts topsoil, compost, and coarse sand (such as paver sand found in the construction section of most hardware stores).
Apply sand to improve drainage in clay soil or add it as an amendment in sandy soil. If you purchase topsoil, use it sparingly as a tiny scoop, which should do fine for filling pots or planters!
After planting your herbs, they must be watered regularly. Depending on the weather and season, this could require daily or at least every other day watering sessions; if you forget, don’t panic – most herbs can tolerate some drought conditions. Weeds are common problems in herb gardens, but pulling or hoeing them as soon as they appear can help your plants look clean and healthy.
Be sure to harvest your herbs regularly. Allowing plants to go to seed will force all their energy into blooming, weakening them and making them less valuable. Harvest herbs when flower buds appear for fresh flavors and new growth.