Although both work, success depends on choosing the correct herb for the conditions.
Many herbs reach high and wide.
Those will do best in the ground.
Perennials are better suited where they won’t be disrupted when your garden tiller works the soil.
Many gardeners tuck perennial herbs in their flower beds for pretty greenery among the flowers.
If you enjoy picking herbs while harvesting veggies, intermingle herbs in your vegetable bed.
Do you prefer stepping out the back door to snip an herb or two?
Sprinkle one or two seeds lightly in soil of each cell or pocket.
In a growing tray create shallow rows and sow according to the seed pack.
Or you could make your owncheap and easy seedling potswith newspaper.
Cover the seeds lightly with soil and press down.
Spritz the surface with water to moisten it and settle the seeds.
Remove the covering when seedlings emerge.
Place the container in a sunny (south-facing) window.
Buying Transplants
Beginning herb gardeners may want to start with transplants from a garden center.
Amend the soil with compost to get your transplants off to a good start.
Use a hoe to break up any soil lumps.
Water well after planting.
Plant Care and Harvesting
Pull or hoe weeds as they appear.
Water when the soil feels dry.
The warmer the weather, the more you will have to water.
Pests generally don’t bother herbs.
Don’t use chemical products on herbs.
you’re free to startsnipping herbswhen flower buds start to appear.
Cut 3 to 6 inches off, leaving about a third of the plant to regrow for future harvests.
Rinse herbs in cool water, pat dry, and store in a plastic bag in your refrigerator.
To freeze herbs, place a couple of stems in a plastic bag and freeze.
Or chop some and freeze them in an ice cube tray with a small amount of water.
When you fix a soup, stew, or sauce, pop out a cube for garden-fresh flavor.
Fill individual pots or a flat of six-packs or cells with moistened seed-starting mix.
Cover the seeds with about 1/8 inch of the mix.
Press the mix down lightly and spritz the surface with water to moisten it and settle the seeds.
