Create Your Own Herb Garden

- Wed 29 May 2024

Want to start your own herb garden? Here’s a quick guide to help you get started and ensure success, whether you’re planting on your balcony, windowsill, or in your garden. Enjoy fresh basil, sage, and other favourite herbs all year round!

Planting Locations

Find a sunny spot to enhance your herbs' fragrance and essential oils. If your balcony is shaded, don’t worry—your herbs will still grow, though their flavours may be less intense.

Planter or balcony? What are the different ways to plant a herb garden?

- Even a small balcony will make a perfect home for your herb garden.

- A raised planter has the advantage that you can easily pick your herbs while standing.

- You’ll need more space for a herb spiral, but they are also very decorative.

Which herbs work best together?

Mediterranean Herbs -

Plant marjoram, thyme, sage, oregano, and rosemary together. They thrive in direct sunlight and shallow soil but don’t mix well with basil or chives, which prefer looser, damper soil.

Kitchen Classics -

Chives, dill, and parsley grow well together.

Solitary Herbs -

Lovage, tarragon, and peppermint have long roots and should be planted alone.

Essential herb gardening tips

Sunlight: Ensure your herbs get plenty of sunlight.

Planting Time: Spring and autumn are ideal for planting.

Source of Herbs: Buy herbs from gardening centres instead of supermarkets.

Soil Maintenance: Regularly loosen the soil for better water absorption.

Watering: Water daily, especially in summer, but avoid waterlogging.

Winter-Hardy Herbs: Include chives, thyme, tarragon, chamomile, fennel, wild garlic, sage, peppermint, and oregano.

Non-Hardy Herbs: Include rosemary, bay, stevia, and lemon verbena.

Fertilisers: Avoid chemical fertilisers to keep your food safe.

Annuals: Sow dill and basil between March and April.

Perennials: Buy young sage, thyme, rosemary, tarragon, and lavender from a gardening centre to save time.

With these tips, your herb garden will flourish, providing fresh, flavourful herbs throughout the year. Happy gardening!

Create Your Own Herb Garden

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