How to Plant an Herb Garden in Miami

Fennel, part of a Miami herb garden.

If you have outdoor space and a green thumb, you will almost inevitably find yourself tempted with an outdoor garden. If you live in frost-free Miami, Florida, where the USDA hardiness Zone 10 (winter minimum 35F) dominates, you have the perfect weather for growing tender plants like herbs in your garden. Herbs in Miami survive from spring through summer and into fall, and may live through the year with the lack of frost. Plant your herbs early in the year, to give them a safe start, and then keep an eye on them through the fierce heat of summer.

Things You'll Need

• Quick-draining soil
• Organic compost
• Spade/hand fork

Instructions

1. Plant the Miami herb garden in spring when temperatures reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit, to protect these tender plants. In Miami, where there is no frost, plant your herb garden as early as February. Miami supports year-round herb growing, so choose herbs that you'd like to maintain.

2. Find a site that can offer both full sun spots and partially shaded spots, as some herbs require sun while others like shade. Make sure that your spot gets good drainage, since herbs suffer in standing water. If you can't find a site with good drainage, build a raised bed for the herb garden.

3. Mix one part quick-draining soil with one part organic matter like compost or peat moss and turn 2 inches of this mixture into the top 2 inches of garden soil. If your site is swampy due to Miami rain and has sitting water, pile 4 inches of this amendment on top of the soil and plant directly into the raised bed.

4. Plant herb seedlings or seeds according to the individual herb plant's requirements. Plant perennial herbs like lavender, oregano, rosemary and chives in one area and annual herbs like thyme, basil and marjoram in another area. This organization will make maintenance and replanting easier, as annual herbs may not survive through the winter. Pay attention to each plant's requirements in regard to sun exposure.

5. Water the herb garden with 2 inches of water a week during the hot Miami summer, and allow winter Miami rainfall to nourish the garden without hand watering.

References

• North Carolina State University: Growing Herbs for the Home Gardener
• Clemson Cooperative Extension: Herbs
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Herbs in the Florida Garden

Resources

• Growit.com: Florida USDA Hardiness Zone Map
• Victory Seeds: Average First and Last Frost Dates for Florida