Learn About Herb Gardening

Fresh herbs fetch premium prices at better supermarkets, but they're right within reach if you learn about herb gardening. It's a fun, inexpensive hobby, and you'll have fresh herbs to liven up your cooking year 'round.

There are literally hundreds of books that lay out the basics, even "Herb Gardening for Dummies," but those really aren't necessary to get started. It's simple for even the most brown-thumbed gardener to grow herbs.

In the garden, a bed devoted to herbs is both attractive and practical. First, make a list of herbs you like and would like to have in the kitchen. Basil is popular, and a perfect compliment to tomatoes in the summer. Oregano is a necessity in any Italian dish. A sprig of rosemary makes a simple roast chicken something special, and it's a beautiful, fragrant addition to your garden. One benefit to learning about herb gardening is that it could expand your cooking repertoire!

Most herbs grow best in full sun, and needs soil with plenty of drainage. Prepare your herb bed by removing sod, rocks and weeds. If weeds have been a habitual problem in this part of your garden, lay a layer of black plastic sheeting over the area for two weeks – this will kill any germinating weeds in the soil. Use a good. Low-nitrogen fertilizer to prepare the bed (a 5-10-5 mixture is your best bet) and then get out your seeds.

As you learn about herb gardening, you'll discover a number of plants that you want to try.  Thyme is a pretty plant, and a good all-around kitchen herb. Many gardener use thyme along the borders of their gardens. When planting perennials like oregano, sage and tarragon, keep their permanent nature in mind when considering placement – you won't want them in the way when replanting seasonal herbs next year.

Make a space for annuals like basil, coriander and summer savory, and replant them each year. But make sure you don't plant mint in the bed with the other herbs in your garden– it's highly invasive and will spread anywhere that it can. If you like mint, try planting it in separate containers, where it can't migrate to every part of your garden.

Near your front of back door, leave a spot for lavender. These gorgeous plants not only look lovely but smell wonderful, too. Once you learn about herb gardening, you may find you also want to learn about flower arranging, making sachets and potpourri and drying your herbs to give as gifts.