Step-by-Step Herb Garden
Learn the entire process of growing an herb garden! Nurture your herb plants from seeds to spices. Use your unlimited bounty to craft your own spice blends, bath and beauty products, herbal tea recipes, and medical remedies.
More inspiration for your herb garden . . .
- 12 Culinary Herbs for the Flower Garden
- How to Harvest, Dry, and Cure Cilantro
- 90 Unique Spices to Grow in Your Herb Garden
- How to Start Seeds Indoors and Keep Them Alive!
- How to Grow a Medicinal Tea Garden (Plus over 40 Plants!)
Start an Herb Garden from Seed
Before you start planting, take some time to plan. Design your garden layout and choose herb varieties to grow. Companion planting herbs with vegetables offers many benefits to the garden. If you need to buy any equipment, get this sorted first. Compare different styles and prices online, with a tool like Redbrain Shop, before you begin. Then, when you have everything together, you can start planting seeds.
Starting from seed will save you the most money. A packet with hundreds of seeds costs the same as one nursery transplant. But you have to start long before the spring season arrives.
You will need a sunny window area or grow lights to start your seeds indoors. Check your last frost date and refer to the instructions on your seed packet. I sort all my seeds by planting date. Then, I grab the pile that’s next up for planting every couple of weeks. (For example, I have piles for 12 weeks before the last frost, then 10, then 8 and so on).
Follow the directions for each variety on the back of the seed packet. I love these Jiffy greenhouses to start my seeds. They are eco-friendly and biodegrade when you transplant your seedlings. This also reduces root disturbances. Alternatively, you can use an egg carton or plastic grocery store containers.
For more seed-starting supplies, check out my Gardening Supply List.
Thin Herb Seedlings
Plant several seeds in each hole. This ensures at least one will germinate. If more than one seedling grows, remove the weaker plants. Leave one sprout in each cell. Competing for nutrients will weaken the plants over time. A stronger plant will give you a larger harvest.
Re-pot Seedlings
Seedlings typically need to be re-potted into larger containers a few weeks after germinating. Fast-growing plants need to be re-potted multiple times if they grow too large before your last frost date. Plants that have become root-bound will become weak and wilted.
Harden Off and Plant Outside
Gradually get your baby plants used to the harsh outdoor environment. Place seedlings outdoors for an hour or two at most. Keep plants protected from harsh winds and weather. Then bring them back inside. Slowly increase their exposure time for a week or two. Plant them outside when you’re certain the threat of frost has passed.
Tend, Water, and Weed Your Herb Garden
It’s easy to overwater or underwater when you’re a newbie gardener. Plants only need water when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Mulch can help suppress weeds and retain moisture. Adding self-watering globes or coco chip mulch to your pots will reduce watering frequency and keep plants from drying out.
Harvest and Prune All Season
Different herbs have different pruning requirements, so do your research beforehand. The general rule is to prevent the plant from flowering by cutting back the growing tip. This will encourage the plant to continue new growth instead of bolting to set seed. Every time you prune, use those fresh herbs in your kitchen!
Make one final large harvest before the plant reaches the end of its life cycle or before winter frosts. Make sure you leave enough on your perennial herbs like oregano and thyme so they can survive the winter. You can also dig up tender herbs and pot them inside to prolong harvesting.
How to Dry Herbs
The simplest way to dry herbs is to tie small bundles with twine and hang them upside down. They usually take several weeks to dry. You can also put a paper bag around them to catch any falling leaves and seeds.
If you’re impatient, you can use a dehydrator
Grind and store
A mortise and pestle
Get creative!
Once you master single spices, it’s time to kick it up a notch with spice blends. Create taco seasoning, chili powder, and grilling blends. Try making herbs de providence, Cajun seasoning, or Italian herb blends. There are countless more to explore.
Homemade herbal teas are delicious and save so much money! Look up copycat recipes for your favorite store-bought blends. I love to brew a cup of lavender and mint tea in the evening.
Comment below with your ideas and subscribe to the blog for the latest content.
Share this Post on Social Media!
For more inspiration, follow my Pinterest Board: Apothecary, Oils, and Herbs.
6 thoughts on “The Ultimate Guide to Planting an Herb Garden”