How to Grow Fresh Herbs

Most herbs are easy to grow, needing little care. They can be grown in containers or in the garden. Here are some tips on how to grow your own delicious herbs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Annuals vs. perennials: what's the difference? An annual herb will grow for only one season. Perennial herbs will come back for several years.
   
   I have listed beside the description of each herb if it is an annual or perennial.

2. BASIL- annual
   Sow seeds or set plants directly in the garden in Spring. Basil prefers full-sun, moderate moisture and well-drained soil. Basil can be grown successfully in containers or directly in the garden. Pinch the tips and flowers to keep the leaves coming. To use, pinch leaves and use fresh or dried.

3. CHIVES - perennial
   Chives grow from seeds or nursery plants. They enjoy rich, moist soil and prefer full sun. They can be grown directly in the garden or in containers. Clip long pointed leaves for use fresh or dried.

4. CILANTRO - annual
   Cilantro prefers full sun and well drained garden soil. Seeds do best when sown directly into the garden. Leaves may be pinched to use fresh or dry. Cilantro is also known as Chinese parsley.

5. DILL - annual
   Dill may be sown by seed in well drained soil. It prefers full sun. Pinch leaves off to use fresh or dried. Tie plastic bags over seed heads at maturity. When seeds begin to drop, brush remaining seeds into the bag and store. Use fresh or dried leaves or seeds.

6. MINT - perennial
   Warning: Mint is VERY aggressive and will take over your garden. I recommend growing mint in containers to control it's growth. Mint likes shade or part-sun and moist soil. Grow from seedlings or propagate from cuttings or divisions. Keep flowers pinched back. Use leaves fresh or dried.

7. OREGANO - perennial
   Oregano can be grown from seed or by cuttings. It likes full sun and well drained soil. Water regularly. Oregano can be grown in a container or directly in the garden.

8. PARSLEY - biennial but mostly treated as an annual
   Parsley can be grown from seed or plants. It likes part-shade and rich moist soil. Pinch leaves to use fresh or dried.

9. ROSEMARY - perennial
   Rosemary grows well in containers outdoors or indoors. It may also be grown directly in the garden. Rosemary likes full sun, well drained soil on the dry side. Grown from nursery plants or cuttings.

10. SAGE - perennial
    Sage will grow in poor soil as long as it is well drained. Full sun is necessary. Do not over water sage as this will cause mildew. Sage may be grown from seed or nursery plants. Cut stems back after the plant blooms. May be used fresh or dried.

11. THYME - perennial
    Grown from seed or cuttings, thyme likes full sun and sandy moderately dry soil. Prune back after flowering. May be use fresh or dried.

Tips & Warnings

• Harvest herb leaves early in the morning. Hang to dry in small bundles, or place in mesh onion bags. Keep out of direct sunlight. Herbs will be ready to use when they are completely dry and crumble when touched.

Resources

• More Great Articles by this Author
• How to Start a Compost Pile

[momose]

on 8/13/2009 Fresh herbs are not only delicious - they are also beautiful in the garden. Good tips for growing these most popular herbs. ***** And congrats for having another of your articles featured as eHow of the Day!