How to Start a Herb Garden

There’s nothing like a hobby that allows you to enjoy the fruits of your labour… literally. Starting a herb garden is also the perfect way to grow something that you can enjoy time and time again. Regardless of your gardening resumé, whether you’re an old hand or just starting out, growing herbs makes for a great project that shouldn’t be too tedious.

These versatile plants are a great addition to any garden or window ledge, and there are many herbs that can grow year-round in your home. If you find yourself wondering how to start a herb garden, don’t worry, as we’re about to share everything you need to know to get going and growing!

Getting Set Up

Before you run to the garden centre to pick up your herbs, you’ll need to get a few things ready. If you’re keen to get started quickly, then you should be able to get everything ready with just one trip to the shops.

Know your stuff

We can all get a bit ahead of ourselves when we’re eager to start on a new project, but it’s important to do some research before you start sowing seeds. Have a look online or ask you local experts about herbs and herb families. Herbs that come from the same family generally have the same needs, so it’s wise to  group these together instead of mixing and matching. Lucky for you, most herbs are relatively easy to grow, as long as you avoid common beginner gardener errors.

Be strategic

When choosing which herbs to start a herb garden with, think about what you’ll actually use in your home. There’s little point putting effort into your herb garden only for the plants to wither and go to waste. If there are dried or fresh herbs that you find yourself adding to the shopping list frequently, then these would be great ones to start with! Many of the most commonly used kitchen herbs in Australia like rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano are all part of the Lamiaceae family. This could make these great options to start out with. Similarly, coriander, dill, and parsley (the Apiaceae family) can all be grouped together, too.

Get the tools

If this is your first foray into gardening, then a trowel, a small shears, and a pair of garden gloves should be enough to begin with. You’ll also want to get a suitable container for your herbs to start off in. You want to ensure they have enough space to spread roots and grow.

Find the right spot

Something that really makes herbs great is their ability to grow in a range of climates and conditions. You can grow your herb garden indoors on a windowsill in the sunlight, or outdoors. Wherever you plan to place them, be sure to get good quality potting soil so they have the best chance to thrive. If growing them indoors suits, ensure that they have adequate natural light, or get a grow light to give them that extra boost.

Get them Growing

Once your herbs are successfully planted, all you have to do is keep an eye on them and tend to their (conveniently few) needs.

Hydration

Ensuring your herbs are kept hydrated is pretty straightforward- if the soil looks dry, just give your herbs some water. A quick run under the tap or drop of water on top will usually be plenty, as too much water will waterlog the soil.

Pruning

The best way to encourage new growth in your herb garden is to prune your plants. This means removing dying or dead parts of the plant, which leaves ample space for it to grow back nice and strong. Never prune more than a quarter of the plant at a time though, as this can do more harm than good.

Contact the Experts

If you’re unsure how to get started with your herb garden, or have bigger garden dreams that you’d like some guidance on, contact Jim’s Mowing today!