Why grow herbs?
Botanically, an herb is just a plant that doesn't produce a woody stem like a tree, but in common use, an herb is a plant that has medicinal, aromatic, or culinary properties. Herbs give pleasure and are a delight to the senses. They are historical, dating back to the Egyptian dynasties when pyramid workers were fed garlic and radish seeds to keep them healthy. Herbs were mentioned by Hippocrates and Shakespeare. Native Americans use them extensively. Some herbs, such as dill and fennel, are host plants for butterflies. If there's such a thing as an "all-around plant," then that plant is an herb.
Herbs can be annual (having one season of growth), biennial (two seasons of growth with flowers in the second year), or perennial (ongoing growth, some lasting many years).
Where should I start?
It depends on your interest. If you are interested in cooking, you may want to grow culinary herbs. If you are interested in teas, you may want to try a tea garden. If you enjoy perfumes and potpourri, you may like growing fragrant herbs.
One good place to start is with common, low-maintenance herbs such as basil, sage, mints, thyme, parsley, dill, oregano, chives, tarragon, and lavender. They're easy to grow, easy to maintain, and can be used as companion plants with vegetables. Most herbs do not require a lot of care and are pretty tolerant of conditions. You don't have to water every day or use fertilizers. Some, because of their odor, are pest-free.
Should I start from seed?
Your first decision is whether to grow from seeds or to purchase plants. Growing from seed is generally more economical, but is also more complex and requires a greater investment of time. If you want the exact cultivar, it is easier to get a plant from cuttings and divisions. You get instant green--and the herb will attain a usable size more quickly.
Garden site
The size of the herb garden depends on how much space you have and the time you want to invest. Most herbs like lots of sun (although there are exceptions), so herb gardens should be oriented south and west and should get four to six hours of sunlight a day.
Herbs like a loamy soil that has an organic compost base. Herbs aren't fussy, but they do like good drainage. Soil is very important. If you put in a garden, you must invest time in improving the soil, amending and turning it over, adding compost and organic matter. It pays to get a soil test (available from the Extension office) before you plant so you can correct any problems before subjecting your plants to less-than-optimal conditions.
Consider how you plan to use your herbs. If you grow culinary herbs, locate the garden near the kitchen, so you are more likely to use your herbs. If you are planting herbs to attract butterflies, you may want to plant them among flowers.
Raised beds promote better drainage, aid soil warmth in the spring, and give a definitive place to work. Other benefits include lessening of soil compaction and weeds. These are a great idea for those who have difficulty bending over too!
Planting
When selecting plants for the herb garden, make sure they are hardy in our area (Chester County is in Zone 6-7). You should also consider the sun, soil, water requirements. and pH needs of your plant.
Note the botanical name of the plant you purchase so you know exactly what plant you are getting (for example, a culinary thyme and not a creeping thyme). When planting, consider the mature size of the plant, both the width and height (you don't want to shade other plants).
You will want to label your plants carefully (especially culinary herbs) and take note of whether they are annuals or perennials. You may want to reserve an area of the garden for annuals so it will be easier to dig and replant there each year without disturbing your perennial herbs.
Herb gardens invite a create approach to garden design. Options include formal knot gardens, wheels, or other geometric shapes; theme gardens such as medieval, Shakespeare, potpourri, or biblical; or herbs for a particular culinary style or region. An herb garden can even be made in a container; strawberry pots and window boxes are particularly well suited for planting herbs. Finally, herbs can be lawn substitutes. Chamomile, and creeping thyme are two that have been used in this way.
Apply two to three inches of mulch to discourage weeds, keep roots cool, and retain moisture. Keep mulch away from the stems of the plant to avoid rot.
There is no need for chemicals in the herb garden. Most herbs do not need fertilizer and some actively dislike it, so if you fertilize, do so sparingly. Avoid pesticides, particularly if you plan to use the herbs for cooking. Most herbs are not attractive to pests, so insect problems are rare. The exception are plants favored by butterflies; you may get some damage from their caterpillars, but the reward is ... butterflies!
Keep plants in check by trimming, but do not cut back an herb more than one-third at one time in fall. If you plant herbs that are aggressive, such as members of the mint family, you may want to keep them in pots and then sink the pots in the ground, rather than plant them directly in the garden.
A Note About Medicinal Herbs
Some herbs are thought to have medical or curative powers. While present medical knowledge recognizes some herbs as having healing properties, others are highly overrated, and some can be downright dangerous. Do not consume herbs for medical purposes or use them in place of approved medical treatments unless under the supervision of a doctor.
