Tips for Your Herb Garden

Herbs are great all year long!

Whether you choose to grow inside or out, all herbs need plenty of sunlight, moderate temperatures, and a soil or potting mix that drains well. Keep in mind that most herbs are native to the Mediterranean — provide them with conditions similar to this region and they will flourish. Of course, you can combine the two by growing in containers. This way herbs can be outside during the growing season and moved indoors when it gets cold.

Many herbs can be started from seed, but there are a few (including rosemary, oregano and mint) that will take better to propagation by cuttings or being transplanted. Decide what herbs you wish to grow and read up to find out how they are best planted.

Herbs have long been revered for both their medicinal and culinary value. They may cure colds, help you sleep and add flavor and zest to dinner. Fortunately for home gardeners, growing herbs is relatively easy. They thrive in just about any type of soil, do not require much fertilizer, and are not often bothered by insect or disease pests.

Defined as a plant without a woody stem that dies back at the end of each growing season, herbs were once considered a gift of the gods. Elaborate ceremonies and rituals celebrated their growth, harvest and use. Today, herbs are popular in many home gardens, where their leaves are utilized for flavoring and an entire plant may be used for medicinal purposes.