The Garden Post

How To Start An Herb Garden

Posted on by Kat Falcon
herb garden
11
Feb

How to Start an Herb Garden: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Fresh Herbs at Home

Starting an herb garden is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to grow your own food. Whether you want fresh basil for pasta, mint for tea, or lavender for fragrance, growing herbs at home is simple — even for beginners.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to start an herb garden, including choosing the right location, preparing the soil, planting, watering, fertilizing, and harvesting for continuous growth.

1. Choose the Best Location for Your Herb Garden

The first step in starting an herb garden is selecting the right spot.

Most culinary herbs prefer full sun, at least 6 hours per day. More sun typically means stronger flavor and healthier plants.

While some herbs like mint can tolerate partial shade, Mediterranean herbs such as:

  • Rosemary

  • Lavender

  • Oregano

  • Thyme

Need bright light and excellent drainage to thrive.

If you don’t have an in-ground garden bed with enough sunlight, don’t worry. Herbs grow beautifully in:

  • Raised beds

  • Patio containers

  • Balcony planters

  • Windowsill pots (for smaller herbs)

Container herb gardening is especially popular for beginners and small-space gardeners.

2. Prepare Your Garden Bed, Raised Bed, or Containers

Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive herb garden.

Garden Beds (In-Ground Herb Gardens)

Starting a new herb bed requires some preparation. First, remove weeds and existing vegetation that would compete for nutrients and water.

Next, test your soil. Most herbs prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0–7.0.

After testing:

  • Loosen soil 8–10 inches deep

  • Remove rocks and debris

  • Amend with organic matter like Lobster Compost

Well-draining soil is especially important for herbs, as many dislike sitting in wet conditions.

Raised Beds

Raised beds offer improved drainage, which herbs love.

When building a new raised bed, fill it with Coast of Maine Raised Bed Mix rather than heavy topsoil. Topsoil compacts easily and can retain too much moisture.

If refreshing an existing raised bed, incorporate additional Raised Bed Soil or Lobster Compost to replenish nutrients and improve structure.

Container Herb Gardening

Growing herbs in containers is one of the easiest ways to start.

Choose containers large enough for root development and always ensure they have drainage holes. Herbs sitting in waterlogged soil will decline quickly.

Fill containers with:

  • Coast of Maine Potting Soil

  • Coast of Maine Raised Bed Mix

Avoid using garden soil in containers; it’s too dense and restricts airflow to roots.

3. Pick the Best Herbs for Your Needs

When selecting herbs, choose ones you’ll actually use in your kitchen. This keeps your garden practical and rewarding.

If you’re new to herb gardening, start with 3–4 easy varieties such as:

  • Basil

  • Parsley

  • Chives

  • Thyme

  • Mint (plant in containers to prevent spreading)

Herbs can be grown from seed or purchased as starter plants. If you’re interested in seed starting, see our complete seed starting guide here.

Starting small helps build confidence and keeps maintenance manageable.

4. How to Plant Herbs Properly

Proper planting encourages strong root systems and steady growth.

To plant herbs:

  1. Dig a shallow, bowl-shaped hole.

  2. Gently loosen the roots if they are compacted.

  3. Set the plant in the hole, leaving about ½ inch of the root ball slightly above the soil line.

  4. Backfill with soil and water thoroughly.

Spacing matters. While small herbs can grow closely together, larger varieties like rosemary need room for air circulation to prevent disease.

5. Watering Your Herb Garden

Most herbs need about 1 inch of water per week, depending on weather conditions.

Use a rain gauge to track rainfall and water deeply as needed with a watering wand or watering can.

However, not all herbs have the same moisture preferences.

Herbs that prefer to dry slightly between waterings:

  • Rosemary

  • Lavender

  • Oregano

  • Thyme

Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes in herb gardening. When in doubt, check the soil first; it should be lightly dry before watering again.

6. Fertilizing Herbs for Healthy Growth

Unlike heavy-feeding vegetables, most herbs don’t require excessive fertilization. Too much fertilizer can even reduce flavor intensity.

Feed lightly with an organic herb and vegetable fertilizer such as:

  • Espoma GardenTone

  • Bonide Fish Emulsion

Follow label instructions carefully to avoid overfeeding.

Balanced nutrition promotes:

  • Healthy root systems

  • Steady leaf production

  • Strong overall growth

7. Managing Pests and Disease in Herb Gardens

Although herbs are generally resilient, insects and disease can still appear.

Inspect plants regularly for:

  • Discolored or spotted leaves

  • Chewing damage

  • Wilting

Early detection prevents minor issues from becoming major problems.

Bonide Neem Oil is an organic option that helps control insects, mites, and certain fungal issues.

Good airflow, proper spacing, and correct watering practices greatly reduce disease risk.

8. Harvesting Herbs for Continuous Growth

Harvesting is not just encouraged; it’s essential for long-term health.

Regular harvesting:

  • Encourages bushier growth

  • Prevents premature flowering, which can alter the flavor of certain herbs

  • Extends the life of the plant

Pinch or cut just above a leaf node to stimulate branching. Avoid removing more than one-third of the plant at a time.

Consistent harvesting keeps herbs productive all season long.

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