Bates Nursery & Garden Center presents: Tips for starting a kitchen herb garden

Starting an herb garden is one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to learn how to tend plants. Most herbs just need a little water and lots of sunlight to be perfectly happy. Even if you don’t use them for food or cocktails, the blooms will attract beneficial insects to your yard like bees and butterflies.

Site selection is the most important step getting started. Consider available sunlight and nearby water sources, and how you want to approach your garden. For example, locating herbs closest to your kitchen saves time and energy. Take the time to plan the space. For small spaces, maybe it’s a shelf on your deck or balcony, or perhaps a window planter. People with larger yards might look at a sunny patio space or a landing near the back door. It can be as simple or fancy as you desire!

The next step is selecting a container that is big enough for your plants. Some herbs like to grow large, so take that into consideration by reading the tag on the herb’s pot to best determine spacing. If you’re indecisive, go with multiple containers for an eclectic look. Regardless of choice, make sure there’s a drain hole. The soil needs to drain water in order to keep the plants happy, raised beds included, so don’t line anything with black plastic! Once your containers are sorted, add your potting soil. Most herbs like rosemary, sage, oregano and thyme prefer soil that drains well. We recommend EarthMix® Landscape™ grow mix for your herb containers. It’s a compost-rich, fast-draining medium for growing anything in.