Spring is here and it’s time to run down to your local garden center and buy a selection of herbs, ready to plant; you’ll be ready to add delicious flavorings to your favorite dishes until fall with annuals, and perennials will come back every year! Your garden will look beautiful with a varied selection of your favorite herbs. Below are some quick tips I have found useful when growing herbs.

Getting Started:  You can grow outside in containers or even inside, preferably on a windowsill that faces south.  When choosing a container it is best to use terra cotta, wood or cement, as long as they have adequate holes for drainage. If possible, place a couple of inches of broken flowerpots or stones in the bottom of the container, this will allow for better drainage, and then add good quality potting soil. Place the herb plants a few inches apart from each other, pack more soil around them and water. It is a good idea every few weeks to add some organic fertilizer to the soil, at half the recommended strength. 

Maintenance:  In warm temperatures you may need to water a couple of times a day. August in Washington DC definitely requires extra water. When the potting mix looks pale and dry, or it is shrinking away from the sides, it is time to water. Good sunlight will produce herbs with plenty of flavor and aroma and most herb varieties require at least 6 hours of sun per day.  Check the growing instructions to see whether the herb requires full or partial sun. To ensure fresh and fast growth it is essential to prune regularly. You can also freeze or dry the extra cuttings to use in the winter months.  When cutting, wait until the dew has dried and then snip in the morning – this is the peak time for moisture and fragrance.

      For more information and insight into growing herbs connect online with these great resources... 

Acknowledgements:

Herb Gardening Guru

Gardening Guides

Story by Elizabeth Roller, Team Member of The Nellis Group