How Do I Start A Small Herb Garden?

Question: How do I start a small herb garden? I want to try an indoor and outdoor herb garden. -Faye W.

Answer: It’s easy to keep a small herb garden, either indoors on a windowsill or outdoors in your yard.  First you’ll need to choose your location. Herbs require at least six hours of sunlight per day. Many people choose to keep their herb garden near the kitchen so they’re easy to access when cooking. Choose the herbs you’d like to grow based on what you think you will use, and acquire your plants. Growing from young plants is much easier than growing from seeds.

For an outdoor garden, loosen the soil in the area where you’ll be planting. For indoor herb gardens, gather the containers and potting soil you’ll need. Use a potting soil that’s formulated for herbs, or make your own by combining two parts sterile potting soil with one part perlite and one part compost or another organic material to provide nutrition. Standard potting soil for growing flowers and vegetables is too heavy for herbs.

If you’re working outdoors, dig holes for each plant twice the size of the plant’s root ball. For an indoor garden, fill your containers up about halfway with the potting soil. Then place your herb plants into the spots you’ve prepared for them, filling in around the edges with soil. Use your hands to lightly press the soil down around the base of the plants to keep them secure and upright. Water the plants well once they’re in place. Keep your plants hydrated by watering them whenever the top inch or two of soil has dried out. You can check by sticking a finger into the soil near your plants. If soil clings to your skin, it is still wet and the plants don’t need to be watered yet.