Growing an herb garden offers numerous practical and enjoyable benefits for beginner and experienced gardeners alike. For one thing, you will always have fresh, aromatic ingredients on hand when you’re preparing a meal that calls for them. Anyone who enjoys cooking knows that fresh herbs are generally superior to dried ones in nearly every case. 

Purchasing fresh herbs at the grocery store is often expensive, and typically, you’ll end up buying more than you need. Then, you’re left with the leftovers going overlooked in the refrigerator, or wilting on the counter. Having them in the garden means that you can cut exactly what you need, and there’s no question that it’s as fresh as it gets. 

Choose a Sunny Location

Most species require full sun, but some appreciate afternoon shade in harsh climates.

Most herbs thrive best in full sun conditions. This means that they need at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily. This is essential for strong, healthy growth and optimal oil production, resulting in more flavor and beneficial properties. 

If they don’t get enough light, your plants may become leggy and weak. Since the leaves are the part primarily used, leggy plants are undesirable because they have fewer leaves. These herbs are especially fond of full sun and will thrive in as much sun as you can give them:

• Rosemary
• Dill
• Thyme
• Basil
• Sage
• Lavender
• Oregano

There are some herbs that don’t mind a bit of shade, and in hot climates, it will help to protect them from sunburn and dehydration. Try to aim for six hours of sun early in the day, and then shade in the afternoon. The afternoon sun is harsher. These will appreciate some shade:

• Parsley
• Chives
• Tarragon
• Cilantro
• Mint
• Chervil
• Lemon Balm

When you choose a spot for your herb garden, this should be one of the primary considerations. Once you’ve planted, it will be difficult to adjust the level of exposure unless the containers are movable.

Select the Right Herbs for Your Climate

Mediterranean herbs do best in hotter, drier weather, while other species prefer cooler, moister weather.

Some herbs prefer hot, dry climates, others don’t mind, and even benefit from some humidity. If you live in a humid environment, you may struggle with Mediterranean-type herbs that prefer hot, dry weather. These include:

• Sage
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Oregano
• Lavender

That’s not to say you shouldn’t try; just that you’ll probably have to put in more effort to keep them healthy. I live in a humid climate and grow all five of these, and they do well. It’s crucial to maintain proper air circulation and keep them trimmed and thinned out. The more you cut them, the healthier they will be. 

Space them out properly as well. If you leave them room to breathe, you’ll be less likely to develop fungal issues. Always water early in the day, and ensure you use well-draining soil. 

Some will be easier to grow in a humid climate, as they are naturally adapted to those conditions. Some herbs that are more tolerant of high humidity include:

• Basil
• Mint
• Lemongrass
• Cilantro
• Lemon Balm
• Chives

Decide on Containers or Beds

Raised beds and containers offer a lot of drainage benefits.

When deciding between growing herbs in the ground or containers, consider the benefits and drawbacks of both approaches. It truly comes down to your specific environment and personal goals. 

Planting in containers or raised beds is great when it comes to drainage. Herbs that hate soggy roots, like thyme and rosemary, will suffer in spaces with poor drainage. It’s easier to keep containers weed-free, you have more control over the soil, and they tend to be easier to access. 

The disadvantages of growing in containers or raised beds include their higher initial cost. The soil will dry out more quickly, so you’ll need to be more diligent about watering. You may also find yourself limited by the amount of space in your containers. 

Growing in the ground means that you have more room to spread out, and the startup cost is minimal. Ground soil also typically has better moisture retention, so watering is required less frequently. 

On the downside, growing in the ground tends to be a bit higher maintenance. You have less control over the soil, and may need to amend it anyway, which adds some cost back into the equation. Drainage is specific to your situation, but if you have poor drainage, you’ll likely have fungal issues. You’ll also spend significantly more time weeding. 

Personally, I grow mine in small elevated beds that I can keep close to my kitchen door. While the initial startup was more of a cost to me, the time and trouble it saves me in maintenance was worth the expense. 

Use the Right Soil

Herbs that like more humidity also tend to prefer richer, loamy soil.

Some herbs prefer rich soil, while others prefer the opposite. While most will still grow in rich soil, they won’t be as robust, and the flavors may not be as intense. Mediterranean-type plants actually prefer poor, rocky, and sandy soil. This is what they evolved to grow in, and it’s the best environment for them to thrive in. 

For plants like thyme, rosemary, oregano, and sage, don’t worry about beefing up the nutrient content in your soil. When it comes to lavender, it’s detrimental to add too many nutrients to the soil. Lavender needs poor, well-draining soil and no fertilizer. 

For plants like basil, parsley, cilantro, chives, and dill, fertile, loamy soil is best. If you noticed a pattern here, you’re onto something. Herbs that grow in the Mediterranean region like dry conditions and low soil fertility. Herbs that prefer high humidity also tend to thrive in fertile soil. 

Water Wisely

Regular moisture is important, especially in smaller containers that dry out quickly.

You can probably guess what I’m going to say about watering your herbs, can’t you? This goes hand in hand with their preference for moist or dry soil and air. Beginner gardeners tend to over- or under-water their herbs. Herbs that prefer a dry environment can survive longer without water. If you live in a humid environment, it’s better to let the soil dry between waterings for these plants. 

Those with tender leaves, such as those that prefer higher humidity, will require more water. You may notice that your basil looks droopy long before your oregano. Basil likes plenty of water, which is what makes it a good companion for many vegetable plants. In containers, in the summer heat, I water my tender on an almost daily basis. The sturdier ones I water about every other day, and they are quite happy. 

Give Continuing Care

Regularly harvesting your herbs encourages more bushy growth.

The most important ongoing care for an herb garden is pruning and harvesting. You should harvest your herbs regularly. This will cause them to branch more and become bushier and more bountiful. The more you harvest, the more lush and plentiful the plants will become. 

The second most crucial maintenance practice goes hand in hand with the first. Beginner herb gardeners should never allow their herbs to go to flower if they intend to eat them. Flowering draws energy up into the buds and blooms, away from the leaves. If you allow them to flower, they won’t taste as good. Any time you see flowers forming on your herbs, it’s time to pinch them off. 

Pinching in general is suitable for your herbs when they are young. Think of pinching as harvesting, as it serves the same purpose. When your plants are small, pinch off the top leaves of each stem, and the plant will form more and stronger lateral branches. 

Weeding is something that you’ll need to do if you plant in any garden bed. Leaving weeds to take over can crowd out your herbs. It can also introduce more pests, which may eat them. Most don’t need a significant amount of fertilizer, but those with tender leaves will benefit from a light application a few times per year. 

Watch for Pests

Repel pests from your herb garden with combinations of aromatic species.

On the topic of pests, some herbs attract them, and others repel them. Beginners can easily diversify their herb garden by planting them together. This will help prevent the damage that aphids and caterpillars will do to your basil and other tender herbs. 

The Mediterranean herbs tend to repel insects. Rosemary, mint, lavender, and thyme all have repellent properties. The aromatic foliage of these plants is unpleasant to many insects, though pollinators do love their flowers. 

By planting repellent herbs near those that attract pests, you will find that there are fewer issues. Any pests that do turn up, you can control with neem oil or hand removal, as you should avoid using pesticides on food crops. 

Just a note on insects and herbs that might make you think twice about the damage they cause. Dill, parsley, and fennel are all larval food for the black swallowtail butterfly. If you see caterpillars on these plants, it means that you’ll soon see these beautiful butterflies!

One more note on planting fennel. Fennel is allelopathic. The roots produce a chemical that interferes with the growth of other plants. For this reason, I always grow fennel in its own container.