National Herb Day: How to grow herbs
(WHTM) – Starting an herb garden is a great way to ensure you always have fresh ingredients when cooking.
Herb Day is May 4, which is a good time to start planning your herb garden for this upcoming growing season.
Growing parts of your food is very rewarding and will make meals extra special. Here’s how to start growing your own herbs:
When to plant them
Most herbs grow best in the spring and summer, like other plants. If you’re planning to plant them outside, wait until the threat of frost in your area has passed. For Zone 7a, planting them after Mother’s Day, which is May 12 this year, is best.
Pick your herbs
As with any food-related gardening, growing something you enjoy eating, or in the case of herbs, using, is important. Pick herbs that you know you frequently buy at the store and use in recipes.
The easiest herbs to grow from a seed according to the Farmer’s Almanac are annual herbs like dill, basil, and cilantro. Keep in mind annuals only last one season. Perennial herbs like Greek oregano, thyme, sage, winter savory, chives, and mint are good options if you want herbs that will come back the next year.
You can also opt to purchase small, already-growing herbs from a local nursery instead of starting from seeds.
Where to plant them
Herbs can grow anywhere. If you don’t have room in your garden, they can grow in your kitchen as long as they have enough sunlight. Herbs need at least six hours of sun a day.
When planting multiple herbs, give them room to grow, especially perennial herbs. Herbs need good air circulation and overcrowded plants can lead to deadly competition for nutrients and water.
Herbs can grow well in containers too, including hanging baskets, window boxes, and other containers.
Here’s how to have the best growing season
Water, soil and food
Most herbs should be kept in slightly moist soil. However, be sure not to overwater them. The soil should not be oversaturated.
Tropical and semi-tropical herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano prefer an equal mix of regular potting soil and cactus mix. Their soil should dry out in between waterings.
Other herbs just need regular potting soil.
Be sure all of the herbs have good drainage opportunities.
As far as fertilizer, it can be done once or twice a month using a liquid houseplant fertilizer. Herbs don’t need a lot of fertilizer and too much can cause them to lose their scent and flavor.
Harvesting herbs
Regular harvesting encourages new growth, so don’t be afraid to prune them.
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