Herb Gardening Basics: How to Grow Fresh Herbs at Home

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Herb gardening basics made simple! Learn how to grow fresh herbs at home with easy tips for planting, care, and harvesting. Growing herbs on your own is one of the most rewarding experiences on your culinary journey.

Italian herb garden

I love making my own seasonings and flavorings. Italian seasoning is one I use the most throughout the year. I love it even more when I make it from my own homegrown herbs! I grow marjoram, oregano, sage, thyme, rosemary and parsley in my garden. Then I dehydrate the herbs to make it.

I’ve also created gorgeous herb wreaths to hang in my kitchen and snip off of to cook. (We always have plenty of delicious mint for that.

Why Grow Your Own Herbs?

The basics of herb gardening are this: they grow anywhere and everywhere! They are especially well suited to grow in Oklahoma gardens. The only distinction between choosing the types of herbs to grow is the amount of water needed and whether the herb is annual (needs replanting every year) or perennial (regrows on its own every year).

With these two tips in mind, you can have a beautiful herb garden in no time. Herbs also draw pollinators that improve the whole vegetable garden’s productivity.

Best Herbs to Grow for Beginners

For beginner gardeners, it would be wise to grow your herbs in containers since you can move the containers around to spots where they are the sunniest. All of the most commonly used herbs such as basil, cilantro, parsley, oregano, marjoram, thyme, and tarragon need at least six hours of full sun in a day.

To ensure that your herbs get the required amount of sunlight, place your herbs against a south-facing wall. If you are planting herbs on your windowsill, choose a south-facing window.

Easy Herbs to Grow in Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s hot summers and changing weather can actually be great for many herbs. Oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, basil, and mint all thrive in Oklahoma gardens with enough sunlight and proper drainage. Perennial herbs like sage and thyme often survive mild winters and come back year after year. Heat-sensitive herbs like cilantro do better in early spring before temperatures climb too high.

Growing Herbs in Containers

Choose containers that are deep and wide so that you can fit several kinds of herbs in one pot while allowing the roots to grow strong and deep. Of course, if you have the space, you can grow your herbs on raised beds in your garden. Herbs require soil with excellent drainage so you may not want to grow them in the ground.

Instead, you can use a good organic potting mix and natural compost to give your herbs a good foundation.

How Often Should You Water Herbs?

Water them less frequently but in large quantities, meaning gives those herbs a good soak every time you water them, but do it only when the soil feels a little dry to the touch. Check out how to make sure they get an inch of water per week here. You can arrange herbs according to watering needs and sunlight needs

Common Herb Gardening Mistakes

One of the biggest mistakes new gardeners make is overwatering herbs. Most herbs prefer slightly dry conditions and struggle in soggy soil.

Another common problem is planting aggressive herbs like mint directly in the garden where they quickly spread everywhere.

How Much Sun Do Herbs Need?

Lack of sunlight can also cause herbs to become weak and leggy. Most herbs need at least six hours of sunlight each day to grow strong and flavorful.

This information is readily available on the seed packets or seedling pot markers. For example, you can grow sage, oregano, and basil in the same pot since they all require the same amount of water and sunlight and thrive well together. Rosemary, thyme, and parsley can be grown together as well.

For more on what companion planting is all about, check this out. Some invasive species like mint and lemon balm are best kept in a container separated from other herbs since they will take over everything if allowed to roam free!

Starting Herbs from Seeds vs Plants

I do better if I start with plants from a nursery or seedlings. The only exception is cilantro. It’s pretty easy to seed. And you need cilantro in the ground earlier, as soon as it get warm and that’s early in Oklahoma, it will bolt or go to seed and no longer taste good. Check out this Month by Month Vegetable Garden Planting Guide for more information on when to plant.

Herbs will grow through most of the spring and summer seasons and start to wilt right before the weather changes in autumn. If you have planted your herbs in containers, you can easily replant the perennial herbs into smaller containers and bring them into the house.

Be aware that basil is very tender, and will die off after a cool spell, it can’t take any kind of freeze or frost. But some of your plants will grow all winter such as sage and thyme. At least here in my climate. Every once in a while it will get cold enough in winter to kill them, but usually I have some fresh herbs year-round.

Herbs That Grow Well Together

Some herbs grow especially well when planted together because they share similar sunlight and watering needs. Basil, oregano, and sage make a great combination in one container or raised bed.

Rosemary and thyme also pair well together because they both prefer drier soil conditions. Grouping herbs with similar needs makes watering and care much easier.

Herbs You Should Grow Separately

A few herbs are better kept in their own containers because they spread aggressively and can take over your garden space.

Mint and lemon balm are famous for spreading quickly through underground runners. If left unchecked, they can crowd out nearby plants. Keeping these herbs in containers helps control their growth while still allowing you to enjoy them.

If your herbs are on a plot of land outside, you can also replant them into smaller containers before the first frost and keep them on a sunny windowsill. Pull out the annual herbs and discard them, since you will have to replant them next year.

If you are interested in growing herbs, there are a couple of things that you need to know. Here is a rundown of herb gardening basics:

DIY herb garden

1. Herbs do not grow in wet soil. You have to have good drainage.
2. Herbs can be used to add color to the garden and as such, they attract pollinators well. Check out how gorgeous purple basil is! Or lavender!
3. They will spread, some a little, so give them room, and some a lot, so make sure you keep them contained somehow. Mint, oregano, and lemon balm will take over your whole property if unrestrained.
4. Most herbs need lots of sun. Make sure they get plenty. If you don’t have enough direct sun, you can check out shade fruits and vegetables to grow.

If you like to have fresh herbs in your food, or if you just like to garden, you should consider having an herb garden. We mix ours in the garden and have pots of them around. They are so pretty, fragrant for a wonderful sensory experience for kids and adults, add tons of flavor and health to our food, and they attract beneficial insects that protect our garden. Whatever way you end up growing your herbs, you should prepare yourself to enjoy this great hobby!

Herb gardening is relatively simple: remember to use good soil and fertilizer (natural and organic is the way to go), water infrequently but in large quantities, and expose your precious herbs to the sun, sun, and more sun. You’re gonna do great!

Benefits of Growing Herbs at Home

Growing herbs at home saves money, adds incredible fresh flavor to meals, and helps attract pollinators to the garden. Fresh herbs can be expensive at the grocery store and often spoil quickly, but growing your own gives you easy access whenever you need them.

Herbs also smell amazing, create a beautiful sensory experience, and can encourage children to spend more time outdoors learning about gardening and food.

How to Harvest Herbs for the Best Flavor

Harvest herbs regularly to encourage fuller growth and healthier plants. The best time to harvest most herbs is in the morning after the dew dries but before the hottest part of the day.

Snipping herbs often helps prevent flowering, which can sometimes make the flavor bitter. Using clean scissors or garden snips will also help protect the plants from damage.

Ways to Preserve Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs can be preserved in several easy ways so you can enjoy them long after the growing season ends. Many herbs dry beautifully when hung upside down in bundles or dehydrated at low temperatures.

Herbs can also be frozen in olive oil or water using ice cube trays for easy cooking later. Preserving herbs reduces waste and allows you to enjoy your garden year-round.