Most herbs need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily, so choosing a sunny but sheltered spot is essential. Well-drained and moisture-retentive fertile soil is crucial too, with lots of organic matter.
When selecting what herbs to plant, you should think about their use. For example:
Culinary Herbs: Basil, parsley, cilantro, thyme, rosemary, mint, oregano, chives, dill, and sage.
Medicinal Herbs: Chamomile, coneflower, lemon balm, lavender, peppermint, and calendula.
Vegetables and Fruits: Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, spinach, carrots, strawberries, and cucumbers.
A good way to plant your herbs is to broadly group them by their growing requirements.
Perennial herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano and sage require plenty of sunshine and light, well-drained soil – so they should be planted together.
Annual and biennial herbs such as basil, coriander and dill work better with rich and moist soil.
A shaded spot can be ideal for herbs that tolerate shade like parsley, dill and chives.
You’ll also find invasive herbs like mint and lemon balm can spread quickly – so they should be planted in a dedicated area where they can spread freely or within their own large pots.
Finally, tender perennials such as lemongrass or African blue basil aren’t so hardy so should also be grown in pots. That way, they can be moved away from frost in the winter.
Most herbs are easy to grow. If you’re a beginner and want quick results, it might be worth buying seedlings to plant. If you’re more advanced at gardening, purchase starting seeds to grow in your garden.
Herb gardens need to be watered regularly and more so when the weather is hot and dry. Container herbs should be watered more regularly than others too, to avoid drying out faster. You’ll know when a herb is underwatered when it shows signs of wilting. In this case, tend to it immediately to avoid unnecessary stress on the plant’s system.
Most herbs don’t need a lot of fertilisation, but a couple of shots of simple liquid fertiliser can go a long way during the growing season.
Pruning should be done at least once a month to encourage herbs to keep producing longer. To prevent plant damage, always use pruners or sharp and clean scissors to cut. Do research the best pruning methods for individual herbs though, as it may vary from plant to plant. For example, parsley and chive stems should be cut close to the base, whereas annual herbs such as basil shouldn’t be pruned until they’ve grown their first 6 true leaves.
Check for weeds weekly, as they are much easier to remove when they are at their smallest. It’s important to keep on top of weeding as herbs can’t get the nutrients needed from the soil if it’s smothered with weeds. Weeds will also attract lots of pests that can be detrimental to the herbs.
You should divide your perennial herbs every couple of years to keep them nice and healthy. Simply remove them from the soil and split the plant vertically down its root system to divide them. Then you can replant the two new plants back into the ground. You can even do this with herbs from the supermarket if you’re starting your herb garden on a budget!
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