The label ‘herb’ covers many different plants grown commonly in flower and vegetable gardens. Like other flowering plants, herbs can be annual, perennial or biennial. You can grow a variety of herbs in your herb garden, but each may have different needs. Research each herb that interests you to understand the care necessary to grow the herb garden plants you want. Herbs can be classified under culinary, aromatic and medicinal labels, but many herb garden plants fulfill multiple purposes.

Annual herbs, such as basil, cilantro and summer savory, only live for one growing season. They need to be replanted annually. You can keep annual herbs on your windowsill indoors to extend their life beyond one year. Frost and winter temperatures will kill annuals. Grow them from seed each spring or purchase starts at a nursery.

Perennial means the herb will survive cold winter temperatures to grow and flower year after year. Winter savory, sage and lavender are examples of perennial herb garden plants. Mint will also return every year, though the leaves and stems die back to the ground with frost.

Similar to annuals, the life cycle of biennials is brief. Herbs such as parsley, angelica and caraway spend their first year of life growing stems and leaves and in their second year they will bloom and form seeds. Biennials die after their second year, but can be sown directly in the soil from seed in late spring.

When gardeners begin thinking of herb garden plants, common culinary herbs are the first to come to mind. Strong-flavored herbs such as basil, chives, cilantro, oregano and sage are used in small amounts to enhance food. Fresh herbs are stronger in flavor than dried herbs. Some strong-flavored herbs, such as parsley, are used mainly as a garnish but can be used to add flavor to many dishes.

Plants known for their pleasant smell, such as lavender and lemon verbena, are called aromatic herbs. Products from bath oils to scented candles are perfumed with essential oils derived from aromatic herb garden plants. Snip bunches of these herb plants and hang to dry, then use them to scent linens, tuck among stored clothing or use in potpourri mixtures. Dried aromatic herbs retain their scent for long periods of time.

People have been using herbs as medicine for countless generations. Modern pharmaceuticals are synthesized chemicals often based in herbal origins and only stretch back a little over a century. Medicines are derived from leaves, stems, roots and seeds of a wide variety of plants. Echinacea, kinnikinnick, Oregon Grape and mint are familiar landscape plants used as medicinal herbs. Unregulated by the FDA, medicinal herbs can interact dangerously with prescription medications and should only be used under the direction of an experienced herbalist or naturopathic physician.

Herb garden plants can be concentrated in plantings based on their usefulness for flavor, taste or medicinal use, but they can also be planted for color. Many herb garden plants provide uniquely colored foliage and bright flowers. Valerian, borage, chicory and Echinacea are often planted as ornamental garden plants. Some herbs multi-task, useful for more than one thing. Mint, for example, will grow well in boggy areas of a garden, provides pretty purple flower sprays, smells good when crushed, can be used for flavor and brewed as a soothing tea.

Learning the potential of each herb garden plant is part of the wonderful discovery of growing herbs. From a single-season windowsill project to an outdoor perennial garden for food, medicine, ornamental and aromatic joy, herb garden plants are exciting to study and grow.

Plant herbs for indoor growing in two parts potting soil with one part perlite or coarse sand. An inch of small gravel in the pot bottom ensures adequate drainage. You will need to buy potting soil from a local hardware store, supermarket, etc. One coir brick is included to lighten soil bought locally. Fill the pots with garden soil and put the pots in the rack. Make sure that your iron racks are sturdy to avoid accidents.

Start a kitchen herb garden with our set of 4 herb kits. Innovative, handcrafted recycled paper sown with organic basil, thyme, dill and chive seeds are beautifully packaged together with soil and saucer in a 4″ biodegradable and compostible mocha colored rice husk pot. Several kits are available that have everything that you need to get started. Now when you are cooking you do not have to run to your outside garden to choose a few herbs to add to your cooking. Just follow the simple instructions to set up, and the growing process starts immediately, with germination occurring within 24 hours and a mature plant that is ready five times faster than if grown in soil.

Seeds are started in the germinator start tray then moved to the 24-inch planter using the smaller insert pots. Using smaller insert pots lets you rotate the herbs in the 24-inch planter as they grow larger. Discover the best prices on Herb garden starter kits Seeds & Bulbs when you comparison shop at BizRate. Browse Herb garden starter kits in Seeds & Bulbs to find the lowest prices from . Our kit includes 4 4-1/2″ pots, seed packets of Slow-Bolt cilantro, True Greek oregano, Fine-Leaf chives, Window Box mini-basil, and a 4 lb bag of Scotts potting soil for seed starting. The kit also includes our herb chart, featuring 16 herbs, their usage, and companion herbs printed in color on a handy plastic wheel.

Place sterile soil seed-starting mix in a sealed plastic bag. Gather burlap around plastic bag and secure with a rubber band.

Gardening is fun and provides many intangible benefits in addition to to the fruits and vegetables produced.  The gardener gets to exercise and soak up healthful sunshine.  Doctors tell us that gardening will relieve stress and anxiety.  Probably the biggest benefit is satisfaction on the part of the gardener in being able to accomplish something worthwhile.  Raising herbs is a great way to add to the satisfaction realized in gardening.  Growing herbs with an Italian flair can make the experience even greater.

Just the thought of Italian food cooking on the stove makes one immediately think of the many star components of that cuisine including garlic, oregano, basil and rosemary. The concept of Italian cuisine without all those tasty fresh herbs does not compute.  Going all the way back to their Roman predecessors the Italian chefs have been very adept at utilizing herbs to make their dishes a wonderful dining experience.  A home gardener can grab some of this gusto by choosing to add Italian herbs to their garden.  It is easy to accomplish and will insure a steady supply of fresh herbs for use in your kitchen and connect you in spirit with a long line of great food aficionados.  Here is one of the most notable herbs that would be an excellent selection for the new Italian herb gardener to include in their adventure in flavors.

Basil - A very essential herb of Italian cooking.  Sweet Italian Large Leaf is the most commonplace variety with Genovese Basil running a close second and is the herb of choice for authentic pesto.  Seeds should be planted in an area of the garden that receives lots of sunshine for the best crops.  The seeds can be started in small containers inside and then transplanted into the garden.  Whichever method chosen is largely personal preference. In order to encourage the plants to grow out rather than up it is recommended to remove the flower buds below the node.  The idea is to persuade the plant to produce leaves rather than tall stalks.

To obtain the most pungent aroma and best flavor the leaves should be harvested just before the plants are ready to bloom.  The leaves should be taken with the stalks and then store them with the stalks dipped in water filled containers at room temperature.  This will keep them fresh for up to a week.  For long term preservation hang the sprigs in a cool dry place.

It is safe to describe basil as the essence of Italian cooking.  For instance a delicious pesto sauce can be made from crushed basil leaves, garlic and pine nuts combined in first cold pressed olive oil.  Fresh basil adds great flavor to pasta dishes and tomato sauce.  No Italian soup marinade or sauce would be complete with the addition of fresh basil.

There is much more in the Italian family of herbs to choose from when creating an Italian herb garden.  If you are accustomed to using herbs from the grocery store you will be pleasantly surprised when you discover the difference fresh Italian herbs from your own garden will make in your cooking.  Start reaping the benefits of an Italian herb garden today!

Keith Greene asked:


Herb Garden Plants are not only easy to grow but they offer a fresh scent to any home. Herb garden plants are a wonderful way to bright up any backyard. They not only add a beautiful aroma, but are beautiful. Many people will grow the herbs in small pots and place them around the kitchen for their scent and beauty. As you decide on where you are going to place the herbs, make sure they have a large amount of sunlight. Herbs need the sunlight to grow. They will need several hours of sunlight a day.

Another place to grow the herb garden plants is in the backyard. Herbs can be added into the landscaping or they can be placed in large pots. No matter where you place the herbs, make sure they are getting adequate sunlight. Remember, no matter where you place your herbs, they will need the sun.

Herbs are very easy to grow as long as you water them sufficiently. Make sure you don’t over water the herbs as this can kill them. Herbs can handle dryer conditions from time to time and can actually thrive in these conditions as long as they do get water. Dryer conditions will make the aroma stronger and the flavor better. If you are growing the herbs in pots, make sure the pot has a good drainage system.

Different herbs can be used for different things while cooking. As you learn about the different herbs, you will find the ones that you tend to prefer. As a result, you may want to grow more of one herb versus another. This only can happen with time and learning which herbs are your favorites.

Vinaigrette’s:

If you love to have vinaigrette over your salad, then you will want to grow herbs that can be added with olive oil to make fresh vinaigrette. Some herbs that you might want to grow are tarragon, chives, basil, dill, rosemary, thyme, and lemon balm. Add olive oil into a bottle and add your favorite herbs and you have just made vinaigrette.

Herbal Teas:

If you love herbal tea, then you might want to grow chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint, and spearmint.

Spaghetti:

For all your favorite pasta dishes, you might consider growing basil, oregano, parsley, and garlic.

Container Herbs:

If you have kids that love to make things, consider making a container herb. Some good container herbs to make are thyme, mints, parsley, basil, sage, marjoram, and oregano. So use your imagination and go wild on what to do with these plants. It is a wonderful addition to any home.

By: Keith Greene Resource: http://www.NewHerbgarden.com



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Mack asked:


Herbs are a trememdouis fift to mankind. they are a lont more than flavorings for your favorite Italian recipe.  Lot’s take a look inside herb garden secrets.  In addition to being the catalyst that unlocks flavors of incredibily delicious foods they provide us with medicinal remedies, fragrant aromas, beverages, ornamental beauty, pesticidal controls and industrial solutions.  

The first question surrounding these plants is precisely what are they? The dictionary definition is that they are plants that do not form woody tissue and are referred to as “herbaceous.”  In its practical everyday usage the word herb is attributed to any plant that evidences herb qualities.  This practical definition includes trees, vines, shrubs and others including mosses, fungi, ferns, algae and lichens.  The product of the plant is the determining factor in whether a plant is included in the berb botanical family.

Consider this about medicinal herbs they are mother nature’s pharrmacy.  Over 60 million people in the U.S. take some form of a herbal remedy for curative relief.  In excess of 175 herbs are sold to the public in the non-prescription medicinal market.  There are literally thousands of plants that provide some type of medicinal relief for injuries, illness and general health maintenance.

Another member of the herb family are the aromatics.  They don’t get as much attention from the herb gardener as others but they are a wonderful plant that yields the most pleasing fragrances.  The aromas come form the plant’s oils so it is not necessary to wait on blooms for the enjoyment as with other plants.  Since the herb plant’s oils carry the aroma they can be successfully preserved and used in other products and applications.

Products such as cosmetics, bath mixtures and shampoos are produced by major commercial producers using herbs that are both commercially grown and collected from natural sources.  Upscale boutiques sell such items as potpourris, pillows, wreaths and sachets that incorporate aromatic herbs.  Home herb gardeners can enjoy  the wonderful delights of thse herbs in their own homes.

Probably the biggest insider secret about herb gardening is that its so easy especially when compared to conventional vegetable or flower gardening.  Herb plants are a hardy calss and require little maintenance.  A rosemary plant can thrive for years on a clift side overlooking the Mediterranean Sea so growing one in your garden can be easily accomplished.

Another great thing about growing herbs is that they are very productive.  The gardener can reap ample quantities of the plant’s product from a small space.  A mini garden in a pot can supply a family for months.

Give herb plants the two things they demand and they will grow just about anywhere in or out doors.  They must have well drained soil in which to live and plenty of sunlight.  Both these requirements can be easily supplied to the plants.  To determine drainability of soil put water on the proposed location and observe how rapidly it soaks into the ground.  If it does not immediately disappear it is not draining sufficiently for herbs.  One solution is to raise the area to planted about eithteen inches with potting soil mixed with a little coarse sand.  Another is to remove eighteen inches of the topsoil and lay down a three inch layer of gravel. Combined the removed soil in a two part soil and one part sand mixture and replace it over the gravel base and you are ready to plant.

Herb plants need a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day to prosper.  Ten to twelve is better so this is a prime consideration in the location of a her garden.

These are some of the inside secrets of herb gardening.  Now that you know more about this wonderful group of plants it is time to start you own herb garden.



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For thousands and thousands of years we have turned to plants we call herbs for flavor, dye, perfume and cosmetics. We have believed that individual herbs held the power to repel insects, evil and vampires, while others attracted the perfect lover, good luck or bees to pollinate our crops. For some, the use of herbs can cure headaches and burns. And, of course, what would fine dining be without the culinary herbs?

Here are some tips for herb gardening indoors that will simulate the conditions in an outside garden. For Herb gardening indoors the growing climates need to be pretty much the same as the conditions outside.

Make sure you have a sunny windowsill that your herbs will love. Use a container that is at least 6-12 inches deep.

Get your herb plants from a good garden center nursery who will have plenty of garden advice to help you with your inside garden. You will need some garden equipment like a small digging garden tool, garden gloves, organic fertilizer and some small gardening containers. You probably already have most of these garden supplies in your garden shed.

Soil is the most important aspect of growing herbs indoors. Use only top grade potting soil with an organic fertilizer mixed in. If you think it is too fine a soil, use a little perlite. Fertilize while potting the herbs and they should be happy until spring. If you have an herb that is not growing vigorously add a little organic liquid fertilizer to the water.

When you go to transplant the herb, go one inch up in the size of the gardening container. If the plant is in a two inch pot, go to a three inch gardening container. Leave the roots alone and be careful not to bruise the stem.

Don’t plant oreganos, mints, lemon balm or bee balm with other plants because they will overgrow everything. Pot these herbs in a garden container all their own. You may want to always plant those herbs in containers since they tend to “take over” the garden.

Some people swear that you must put garden stones in the bottom of the gardening container, but I dispute that opinion. I feel that the garden stones take valuable space away from the herb roots. You might want to place a small piece of wire screening over the hole to keep it from getting clogged.

Here are some examples of which herbs to plant together:

* For an Italian selection try Sweet basil, Italian parsley, Oregano, Marjoram and Thyme. * For a lovely scented container use Lavender, Rose scented geranium, Lemon balm, Lemon thyme, and Pineapple sage. * For really great salads try Garlic chives, Rocket, Salad burnet, Parsley, Celery. * And to say “We love French Cooking!” use Tarragon, Chervil, Parsley, Chives and Sage

Allow time for your herbs to grow used to their new conditions. Once you see growth you can start using you herbs. Snip and use your herbs often to encourage them to grow full and bushy.

When it comes to light, all herbs must get 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day on your window sill. If your window doesn’t supply that much light then purchase garden grow lights and hang them three inches above the plants. If you live in a very hot climate shade the herbs during the hottest periods. If you live in a very cold climate keep the herbs away from the cold glass panes.

When it comes to watering, don’t let the herbs dry out but don’t drown them either. Herbs do not like to sit in wet soil. An inexpensive water meter from your garden center nursery will help with this important step in growing your herbs. Always use room temperature water so as not to shock the herb’s roots.

If you follow all of these steps you will have a healthy herb garden all winter on your sunny windowsill.

Mack asked:


Herb gardening is gaining in popularity everyday. Gardeners are discovering that herbs are easy to grow and require much less maintenance than vegetable or flower gardens.  They are also finding that herbs offer such a variety of plants with so many different uses that the herb gardener has a gold mine of exciting options to choose from and is tempted to buy herb garden happiness.

You may ask – exactly what are these amazing plants. They are defined as a plant that does not form woody tissue  – ergo the term “herbaceous.”  In common usage the word herb is ascribed to any plant that manifests the qualities attributed to herbs.  That can include trees, vines, shrubs and even such plants as algae, lichens, fungi, ferns and mosses.

The relationship of man and herbs go back a long way.  Every civilization and society have utilized herbs since man began cooking food.  And their herbs were used for many other uses besides flavoring food.  They contributed a great deal to man down through the ages.

In addition to their most well known use in culinary applications herbs have several other valuable uses such as fragrances, medicinal aids, ornamental plants and industrial products like dyes.  So you can see that herbs are more than just flavors for your favorite Italian dish.

Choosing to grow herbs is an exciting prospect considering their  relationship with mankind and the wide variety of uses and things they can produce for the gardener.  Successfully cultivating herbs is easy if you know how to do it.  A good way for the beginning herb gardener to start is with the help of a herb garden kit.

The two main considerations in establishing a herb garden are lighting and drainage.  Herb plants need plenty of sunshine.  Ten to twelve hours per day are recommended but plants can survive with at least four to six hours per day.  The other important factor in growing herbs is drainage.  If the soil stays wet the herb plant will not do well and will probably die.  Herb plants do not like “wet feet.”  These are important but not overwhelming obstacles to overcome for the experienced gardener.  

Another attractive feature of herb plants is that they can do well both indoors and outdoors.  

The beginning herb gardener can shorten the learning curve dramatically by utilizing a herb garden kit. This is a package with all the components needed to grow herbs.  They vary somewhat from different suppliers in what is offered but generally they come with everything a gardener needs to cultivate herbs.  They generally include the soil, containers, seed and instructions.  Kits are a good way to get started and become familiar with the growing process.  Later as the experience and confidence level grows the gardener can move on to more ambitious herb gardens.



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The cultivation and use of herbs as flavorings and medicines can be traced back to ancient Egyptians, the ancient Chinese and early Greeks and Romans.  Bible references and medieval documents reveal that most households used herbs in some way – whether to enhance and preserve food, as dyestuffs, or to keep odors at bay.

Today, we grow herbs for several different purposes – to flavor food, for potpourris to scent our homes, for refreshing and invigorating teas or tisanes, for health enhancement or to even to control garden pests. Herb gardens can be planted as a separate specialized type of garden, or you can grow a variety of herbs for different uses in the same garden.  You may even intersperse them within your flower borders or vegetable garden,  or  grow them in containers indoors or outdoors.

You do not need a lot of space to have a kitchen herb garden. A three feet by six feet area in the vegetable garden, or a small plot just outside the kitchen door will grow ample herbs for most families. You can even plant your herbs in containers, and may find this is the ideal solution. That way, you can move them indoors in winter, for year-long use and enjoyment, providing you have the right conditions.

The most commonly grown herbs are culinary herbs – herbs used for cooking. These herbs may be grown just for their aromatic foliage or for their lovely flowers. But why not enjoy the many ways they can add to your cooking? Some of these culinary herbs have not just edible leaves, but edible flowers! All can be used fresh or preserved in some way.

Herbs, like all plants, can be either annuals, biennials or perennials. Some are small plants, while others grow as shrubs.  In growing herbs, well-drained soil is a must, so if your soil is clay or just compacted, add some organic matter to loosen it.  You will find most herbs do not need fertilizers, but most prefer a sunny location, with some afternoon shade.  Almost all herbs are generally insect and disease resistant.

You can either purchase bedding plants or you can start your herbs from seed. If you require only one or two plants of a particular herb (think of those that are shrub-sized, like rosemary), it is easier to buy bedding plants. Plant your seeds indoors in late winter or early spring in a light, well-drained soil. In spring, when the weather warrants it, transplant the seedlings outdoors or into individual containers. Some herbs, notably dill, fennel, anise, and coriander should be planted directly into the garden.

You will find that growing herbs at home is quite easy if you have a place to plant, the correct growing conditions and the necessary herb garden information.