How to Grow a Culinary Herb Garden

Cooking with fresh herbs is a culinary delight. Ordinary dishes become gourmet with the addition of herbs freshly picked from a sunny garden. Position the culinary herb bed so that it is accessible to the kitchen area.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sunny garden area that is easily accessible from the kitchen
• A collection of popular culinary herbs purchased from a reputable nursery
• Garden site that is very well drained if growing herbs in the ground
• Containers for herbs not planted in the ground
• Paving stones
• Kitchen scissors for harvesting herbs

1. Choose a site for a culinary herb garden in a sunny area accessible to the kitchen. The sunnier the growing position, the better the flavor of the herbs, because the sun brings the oils to the surface. This includes many of the leaves of popular herbs such as sage, rosemary, basil, oregano and thyme.

2. The culinary herb garden can be grown in the ground or in containers. If in the ground, make certain that the site is very well drained.

3. Position a paving stone near each herb plant ( in the ground or in containers) so that it may be easily reached for cutting, weeding and feeding. The stones also help contain some of the rampant growing plants such as the mints.

4. Harvest the herbs for cooking shortly after the morning dew has lifted, early in the day before the sun is fully up. Cut whole stems rather than single leaves or flowers. Always use sharp scissors and cut lengths to 2-3 inches. Rinse herbs with cold water as pat dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Suggestions for herbs that are commonly called for in recipes and among the easiest to grow.
• Flat-leaved Parsley ( biennial)
• Rosemary (perennial)
• Sweet Basil (annual)
• Oregano (perennial)
• Chives (perennial)
• Dill (annual)
• Thyme (perennial)

[SageLady]

on 8/27/2009 Oh wow, thanks for the great info! I really needed to know which herbs were perennials and which are annuals.
Much appreciated!
S.