Herbs are a must in any garden – not only can they be used in cooking, teas, co*cktails or herbal remedies, but they have beautiful foliage and flowers, many of which are attractive to pollinators. Growing your own herbs, from seeds or ready-grown plants, is much more economical than buying packets of cut herbs from the supermarket, and you can cut them as you need them, so they'll always be fresh. You'll enjoy a much wider range of flavours, too.
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You can grow herbs in a dedicated part of your garden but if space is limited, you can create a herb garden in a raised bed, large container or even a window box.
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How to create a herb garden
Choose your spot
It's often said that you should position your herbs as close to your kitchen as possible, so they're readily available to pick when you're cooking. But the main thing to remember is that most herbs grow best in a sheltered, sunny spot. Some herbs, however, will grow happily in shade and are listed below. You can also plant herbs near entertaining or seating areas, where the aroma of their leaves can be enjoyed.
Choose your herbs
Herbs can be broadly grouped according to their growing requirements. For easy growing, group those that have similar requirements together.
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Mediterranean herbs
Many perennial herbs, such as rosemary, sage, thyme and oregano hail from the Mediterranean, where they thrive in sun and poor soil. They therefore need plenty of sunshine and light, well-drained soil. If you're gardening on heavy clay, you will need to add plenty of organic matter and horticultural grit to loosen it up. Most Mediterranean herbs come back year after year, and many are evergreen.
- Six essential perennial herbs
Annual and biennial herbs
Many annual and biennial herbs, such as basil, parsley, coriander, dill and purslane, prefer a more rich, moist soil. If they are too hot and dry, they may bolt (run to seed). They are quick to grow from seed – treat them as you would salads, sowing them little and often for frequent picking until the first frosts.
- How to grow annual herbs
Shade lovers
No sun in your garden? No problem – many herbs, including chervil, dill and parsley, will tolerate some shade.
- Eight herbs for shade
Invasive herbs
Some herbs, such as mint and lemon balm, have a tendency to spread if grown in the ground. Give them a dedicated area in which to spread freely without mixing with other herbs, or grow them in large pots.
- 10 varieties of mint to grow
Tender perennials
Some herbs, such as African blue basil, lemon verbena and lemongrass, are not hardy, so are best grown in pots that can be moved to a frost-free spot over winter.
- How to sprout supermarket lemongrass
Advice on buying herbs
- You can grow herbs as small plug plants online in spring, or buy them as ready-grown plants at the garden centre, in small 9cm pots or larger, 2L ones
- It's more economical to grow annual and biennial herbs, such as coriander, basil or parsley, from seed
- Check that you have the right conditions for the herbs you want to grow
Where to buy herbs online
How to plan your plot, raised bed or pots
The most important thing to remember when designing a herb garden is that it has to be easy to harvest from – you have to be able to reach the herbs you want to pick. If your plot is wide, use stepping stones to give access to the herbs in the centre. Round or oval-shaped herb gardens allow you to walk around or through them, while a triangular bed is good in a corner of a smaller garden. Divide your herb garden into different areas for herbs that have similar growing requirements – try a cartwheel or a chessboard layout using bricks, bark chippings or gravel to divide the sections.
A raised herb bed means you can influence the composition of the soil, adjusting it so that you can grow the herbs you want. It also adds another level to the garden, and makes harvesting easier.
As a general rule, taller herbs such as bronze fennel work best near the centre of a bed. Try contrasting leaf shapes and colours – dark-leafed herbs look lovely next to golden-leafed ones. LOw growing curly-leafed parsley and chives make great edging plants.
How to plant herbs
Most culinary herbs need a well-drained soil to thrive. If you have heavy clay, you will need to lighten the soil. Dig in some well-rotted compost if you're growing annual herbs, and add horticultural grit in areas where you want to grow Mediterranean herbs. If you're growing herbs in a raised bed, fill it with topsoil and horticultural grit from the garden centre.
If you're growing in pots, put some crocks at the bottom and use good peat-free, multipurpose compost, with some horticultural grit or perlite added for extra drainage.
Place the plants before you plant them – this allows you to check that you've got their position right. Research the eventual height and spread of each herb, so that you give it enough space to grow. Plant at the same depth as the root ball, and water in well.
How to care for your herb garden
Water your new herb garden regularly until the plants have established, especially in hot weather.
To ensure a steady supply of fresh annual herbs, sowing a new batch once you’re halfway through your current crop. Sprinkle seeds thinly over the surface of a pot or tray of multi-purpose compost, or direct into the soil when the weather is warm enough.
Boost perennials growing in pots by scraping away some of the compost and replacing with fresh in spring, or repot them in fresh compost. Divide chives and tarragon each second spring, and top dress or re-pot woody Mediterranean herbs, such as rosemary.
Herbs like mint and chives die down in winter, so need cutting to the ground in late autumn. Woody, evergreen herbs like rosemary and sage become straggly with age, so prune into shape after flowering or in spring.
- How to protect herbs in winter
How to harvest herbs
Culinary herbs are the original cut-and-come-again crop, and benefit from regular pickings. Annual herbs in particular need picking regularly, so that they do not go to seed.
Feed herbs after you have picked them – a seaweed feed or comfrey feed is ideal. A high-potash tomato feed in midsummer helps to toughen up Mediterranean herbs so they can withstand hot dry spells.
- How to pick herbs
Container herb garden ideas
You can use pretty much any container for growing herbs, as long as it has some drainage holes and crocks at the bottom for drainage. You can buy herb planters online, or get creative, upcycling old tin baths or wine boxes or anything else you can get your hands on. Just remember to grow herbs with similar needs in the same pot.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in gardening and herbs, I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. Here are the key points:
Benefits of Growing Herbs
Herbs are a valuable addition to any garden for several reasons. They can be used in cooking, teas, co*cktails, and herbal remedies. Additionally, many herbs have beautiful foliage and flowers that are attractive to pollinators.
Economic Benefits of Growing Herbs
Growing your own herbs can be more economical than buying packets of cut herbs from the supermarket. By growing herbs from seeds or ready-grown plants, you can cut them as you need them, ensuring they are always fresh. This also allows you to enjoy a wider range of flavors.
Growing Herbs in Limited Spaces
If you have limited space, you can still create a herb garden in a raised bed, large container, or even a window box. This allows you to grow herbs even if you don't have a dedicated part of your garden for them.
Choosing the Right Spot for Herbs
Most herbs grow best in a sheltered, sunny spot. It is often recommended to position your herbs as close to your kitchen as possible, so they are readily available when you're cooking. However, some herbs can also tolerate shade. It's important to consider the specific growing requirements of each herb when choosing their location.
Grouping Herbs Based on Growing Requirements
Herbs can be broadly grouped according to their growing requirements. Mediterranean herbs, such as rosemary, sage, thyme, and oregano, thrive in sun and poor soil. They need plenty of sunshine and well-drained soil. On the other hand, annual and biennial herbs, such as basil, parsley, coriander, dill, and purslane, prefer a more rich, moist soil. Some herbs, like chervil, dill, and parsley, can tolerate shade. It's beneficial to group herbs with similar growing requirements together for easier maintenance.
Dealing with Invasive Herbs
Some herbs, like mint and lemon balm, have a tendency to spread if grown in the ground. To prevent them from taking over your garden, it's recommended to give them a dedicated area where they can spread freely without mixing with other herbs. Alternatively, you can grow them in large pots.
Growing Tender Perennials
Certain herbs, such as African blue basil, lemon verbena, and lemongrass, are not hardy and are best grown in pots that can be moved to a frost-free spot over winter.
Buying and Planting Herbs
You can buy herbs as small plug plants online in spring or as ready-grown plants at the garden center. It's more economical to grow annual and biennial herbs from seed. Before planting, make sure you have the right conditions for the herbs you want to grow. Culinary herbs generally need well-drained soil, but adjustments may be necessary depending on the specific herb's requirements.
Designing a Herb Garden
When designing a herb garden, it's important to consider accessibility for harvesting. Stepping stones can be used to provide access to herbs in the center of a wide plot. Round or oval-shaped herb gardens allow you to walk around or through them, while a triangular bed is suitable for a corner of a smaller garden. Dividing your herb garden into different areas for herbs with similar growing requirements can be done using bricks, bark chippings, or gravel. Raised herb beds offer the advantage of adjusting the soil composition and making harvesting easier. Taller herbs are best placed near the center of a bed, and contrasting leaf shapes and colors can create an aesthetically pleasing arrangement.
Caring for a Herb Garden
Water your new herb garden regularly until the plants have established, especially in hot weather. To ensure a steady supply of fresh annual herbs, sow a new batch once you're halfway through your current crop. Boost perennials growing in pots by replacing some of the compost with fresh in spring. Some herbs, like mint and chives, die down in winter and need to be cut to the ground in late autumn. Woody, evergreen herbs like rosemary and sage can become straggly with age and should be pruned into shape after flowering or in spring.
Harvesting Herbs
Culinary herbs benefit from regular pickings and are considered a cut-and-come-again crop. Annual herbs, in particular, need to be picked regularly to prevent them from going to seed. After picking, it's recommended to feed the herbs with a seaweed or comfrey feed. Mediterranean herbs can be toughened up with a high-potash tomato feed in midsummer to withstand hot dry spells.
Growing Herbs in Containers
You can use various containers for growing herbs, as long as they have drainage holes. Herb planters can be purchased online, or you can get creative and upcycle items like tin baths or wine boxes. It's important to group herbs with similar needs in the same pot.
I hope this information helps you in growing your own herb garden! Let me know if you have any further questions.
