Creating a Culinary Herb Garden

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Judith K. Mehl

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Photo Credit: Pennystone Gardens

Be sure to choose a sunny location near the kitchen so you’ve got easy herb access.

If you love to cook and enjoy gardening, why not combine your passions by creating a culinary herb garden? Rather than running to the store to pick up a pinch of parsley or a teaspoon of tarragon, you can pop into your herb bed and just snip off what you need! The fact is, herbs are among the easiest plants to grow. With just a bit of planning, it won’t be long before you’ll reap the tasty rewards of your work.

I had herbs scattered around my flower beds before I created my little culinary garden. While they looked lovely among my other plants, the idea of trudging through my flowers to find the right herb left something to be desired come dinnertime. My off-patio herb garden solved the problem by gathering all my favorites into one spot. And despite the herbs’ individual preferences for moisture, drainage and sun, I was able to create a lovely garden to enjoy with the eyes, as well as the palate.

Here’s how I did it:

First, I found the right spot. It had to get enough sun (at least six hours of full sun) to help my plants thrive, but not too much direct sun (because the heat would harm some of the herbs). I wanted it close the house (specifically my kitchen), so I’d be inclined to use the plants in my cooking, too. The perfect spot turned out to be off our back patio. The 4- by 21-foot plot gets full sun in the middle section, with some partial sun on either end, providing proper conditions for those plants that can’t take the heavy heat.

Facts

Lavender can’t take the cold winters of chillier planting zones. Check with your local garden center or nursery to make sure yours can survive the cold (or treat it as an annual).

Tips

In hot or dry parts of the country, some herbs (like dill and parsley) relish a little shade during the hottest part of the day.
Plant height isn’t critical in a narrow bed like mine. But if your bed tends toward a square or circle shape, you may want the taller herbs (like dill, chamomile and rosemary) near the center. If it’s against a fence or wall, plant the tall ones in the back.

Faqs

Q: Does it matter if I mix annual and perennial herbs in the same bed?
A: Not a bit. Just be sure not to disturb the soil around your perennial herbs too much when replacing your annuals.

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Grow, dry, mix and package your favorite herbs for a flavorful mix you can keep for yourself or give as a gift.
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Rosy Rosemary
Rosemary is easy-to-grow and makes a wonderful contribution at mealtime. But don’t relegate them to the herb garden…Place them in perennial gardens or containers for year-round fragrance.

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