These Creative DIY Herb Garden Ideas Will Have You Cooking in No Time (2024)

FAQs

What is the best layout for an herb garden? ›

The simplest design would be four beds, each a square yard (or square metre) in size, around a sundial or small round bed containing one tall herb – a Rosemary bush or Bay tree as a permanent feature, or Fennel, which would grow up every year and offer sculptural stems in winter.

Level one: grow herbs in pots

Be sure to check on your herbs frequently since the soil in a small pot will dry out much faster than the soil in a raised bed or the ground. I like terra cotta pots because they help regulate the moisture level and come with a nice, big drainage hole.

Natural light: Generally, herbs need at least 6 hours of sunlight. South-facing windows get the brightest light, while east- and west-facing windows are a little cooler and get fewer hours of consistent light. Your herbs will probably be a mix of bright-light and low-light plants.

If you plan to grow and maintain your kitchen herb garden indoors, you can start at any time of the year. But if you're thinking about creating a little herb corner in your garden or outdoor planter, then the best time to start planting herbs is spring, once the danger of frost has passed.

A sandy-loam is the best soil for growing the largest range of herbs as it is rarely waterlogged in winter, is dry in summer and it is naturally high in nutrients. Sandy soils are light, dry, warm, low in nutrients and often acidic. This soil feels rough and gritty when handled and are easy to cultivate and work.

In fact, lavender is the most difficult herb to keep alive, with 10,400 plant parents in need of help every month. Basil, mint and rosemary also come close behind, followed by popular herbs such as coriander, dill and parsley.

Dill. Dill is one of the quickest growing herbs. Sprout to harvest, you're looking at about 40 days. And while dill isn't as popular as other herb varieties, it's surprisingly versatile.

Examples of herbs that do not grow well together include chamomile and dill, dill and fennel, and basil and rue. It's best to research the specific herbs if you plan to grow and their compatibilities before planting them together.

Are there any herbs that Cannot be mixed together? ›

There are several combinations you should definitely avoid: Valerian and Kava: Taking these supplements together can cause dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, respiratory depression, impaired judgment, and motor control, and difficulty in concentrating. 2. , "Drug Interactions between Kava and Valerian Root", Drugs.com.

Basil grows well next to many plants, but there are a couple of plants to avoid growing near basil. Herbs. While you can plant basil next to chamomile, oregano, and chives, basil generally prefers the company of vegetables over other herbs, and should not be planted near rue or sage.

Before planting your herbs, arrange them on top of the potting soil to see how they'll look. Consider each plant's growing habit. Set creeping or trailing herbs to the front and taller herbs to the back or in the middle, with bushier plants in between.

Gardeners in areas with 5-6 hours of afternoon sun may be able to grow most vegetables and herbs. However, those with only 3-4 hours of morning sun will have better success with true shade-lovers, and should choose other types of plants as the main focus of their gardens.

Most herbs need a fair amount of sunlight. As long as an herb is growing in a space where it gets at least 4 hours of sunlight a day, it will most likely do well. Most can tolerate much more sunlight, though, with herbs like rosemary, lavender and basil thriving in full sun (6 – 8 hours a day).

For example, tansy, catnip, comfrey, horseradish, lemon balm, hops, artemisia, and mint should not be planted together with other herbs because they spread aggressively unless you control them. To keep these herbs from spreading in your garden, it's best to grow them individually in their own containers.