How to Start an Organic Herb Garden

Clay or plastic pots are ideal for herb gardens.

Organic herbs are healthful and can add a delicious flavor to meals. Herbs also may be used for medicinal purposes. However, many store-bought herbs are overpriced and are treated with potentially dangerous chemicals. Fortunately, it is easy to grow your own herbs without the use of toxic chemicals or fertilizers. Once started, the plants in an organic herb garden can be a continuing source of fresh herbs and of great benefit to the grower's health.

Things You'll Need

• Small stones
• Small pots
• Watering can
• Organic potting soil or compost
• Gardening trowel
• Organically grown herb seeds or live herb plants, such as basil, rosemary and thyme
• Sunny windowsill or outdoor deck
• Spray bottle

Instructions

Starting an Herb Garden

1. 

   Basil is a popular choice for herb gardens.

   Consider choices for an organic herb garden. Choose herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme and parsley for a chef's organic herb garden. Herbs such as St. John's wort and mint are good choices for a medicinal herb garden. Tea-oriented herb gardens can include lemon balm, lemon verbena and catnip.

2. 

   Stones are important for good drainage.

   Put a thin layer of stones at the bottom of each of the small pots. Cover each pot's drainage holes about halfway with slightly larger stones. The layer of stones will provide good drainage, preventing root rot.

3. 

   Fill the pots with organic soil.

   Continue filling the pots with a mixture of small stones and organic potting soil or compost. Leave at least 1 1/2 inches of space at the top of the pot.

4. 

   Watering is essential.

   Water the pots generously using the watering can. Allow the water to fully soak into the soil. Using the gardening trowel, make small dips in the soil for the organic seeds or live plants. If you are planting live plants, cover their root systems completely.

5. 

   A layer of soil protects roots.

   Cover the seeds or plants with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of soil.

6. Place the plants in a sunny windowsill or on a deck. Gently water the pots every two to three days. Use the spray bottle to spray water onto the herb plants daily.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not trim the herb plants until they are at least one to two months old.

• Plant herbs in a sunny garden, rather than in pots, if desired.

• Trim back herb plants every two to three weeks.

• Animal manure, such as rabbit or chicken manure, is a great all-natural fertilizer for organic gardens.

• Remember that organic gardening is gardening without the use of chemicals or unnatural fertilizers.

• Never overwater an herb garden. Overwatering can lead to pests such as fungus gnats.

• Many potting soils contain non-organic chemicals and fertilizers. Only buy organic soil and compost.

• Do not trim back more than 1/4 of a plant at a time. Excessive trimming weakens plants.

• Herbs such as mint and dandelions are very invasive in herb gardens. It is best to keep invasive herbs well segregated from the rest of the garden.

References

• Herb Gardening Tips: Allure of Herbs
• Organic Gardening: Growing Medicinal Herbs
• Container Gardening Guide: Plants for Container Gardens--Herbs

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish