Creating a Backyard Herb Garden

If you love the taste of fresh herbs but hate the price you pay for them at the grocery store, consider planting a home herb garden. Starting an herb garden is not hard, and its design can be simple or complex.

Start with your garden space. Herb gardens do best in a partly sunny spot, preferably close to the kitchen. You don't need a huge amount of space to start an herb garden - even a 3'x3' plot will give you ample space. If you live in an apartment and don't have access to traditional garden space, container gardening is an efficient solution. Set the plants out on a balcony, a roof, or outside your building.

To get an idea of what plants are available in your area, brose through a local garden store or nursery. Ask the nursery staff what plants will do well in your area, and how hardy they are, especially if you have harsh winters.

Remember that there are two kinds of herbs - annual and perennial. Annuals (like oregano and basil) are started from seed each year, and usually only last one growing season. Perennials (like mint and chives), come back year after year. Introducing herbs into your garden is not a fail-safe proposition - I like to think of all of my herbs as annuals. If they come back the next year, that's great! If not, then you had one good year of production.

Take stock of what you will use in the kitchen. For pesto lovers, basil is a wonderful addition to your herb garden, and easy to grow. If you make pickles, home-grown dill will work for you. Other common herbs are parsley, oregano, mint, chives, sage, and thyme.

Prepare the soil, creating a rich medium for the herbs to grow. Buy soil enhancements like peat moss or sand to form a crumbly, dark soil. Plant your herbs when all danger of frost has passed. For tender herbs such as parsley, you may want to keep the pots indoor until early summer. Dig holes deep enough so that all the herb's roots are covered, but don't bury the plant's stem. Pat the soil around the plant, and water thoroughly. It's best to leave at least several inches of space between your plants, to allow for growth.

Herbs are ready to harvest at any time by just pinching off the desired amount. Collect your herbs in the morning, just after the dew has evaporated. Herbs are best when used immediately, but can also be dried and stored for future use. Just remember to label them, as many look similar after they've dried.

With a little thought and care, you can have a productive herb garden just outside your backdoor.