How To Start an Herb Garden

This post may contain affiliate links. Any purchases from links outside of moon + magnolia may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my content!

Learn how to start an herb garden so you can enjoy the flavors and beauty of fresh, homegrown herbs. Herbs are simple to grow and are perfect for beginner gardeners.

From choosing herbs to setting up your garden to harvesting and cooking herbs, this guide has everything you need to start your own beautiful and abundant herb garden.

Basil and dill growing in a raised herb garden bed with a woven basket in the background.

Table of Contents

Watching my daughter snack straight from the garden is one of my greatest joys.

Just last weekend, she sat outside, picking fresh kale from our winter bed where we are growing garlic and greens. But in spring, you’ll find her in the herb garden, usually with a handful of basil.

I always tell new gardeners: if you grow one thing, make it herbs. They’re easy, abundant, and add beauty to any space—all for a fraction of the store-bought cost.

Fresh herbs make every meal better. I love tossing parsley in veggie soup, mixing rosemary into sourdough, and adding extra herbs to my summer flower arrangements.

Herbs are so easy to grow. Anyone can do it (yes, even you with that self-proclaimed black thumb).

"Beginner’s Guide to Herb Gardening" text overlay on an image of fresh lavender growing and a bowl of chopped herbs with butter, salt, and lemon.

Here’s my little pep talk before we dive into the nitty gritty of her gardening: you don’t have to know it all at once.

Follow these directions for getting your herbs in the dirt, and then come back to this post when you need more guidance.

Step 1: Pick the Spot

Raised garden bed filled with soil, with potted flowers nearby.

Herb gardens add beauty and fragrance to any space. Just pick a sunny spot with at least six hours of sunlight.

Good drainage is a must! If your soil holds water or is filled with clay, go for raised beds or containers. In fact, herbs thrive in raised beds and containers, so they might be the best choice.

And trust me, plant near a water source. Lugging a watering can all summer gets old fast.

Step 2: Prep the Soil

A young child wearing a pink hat and shirt digging in the soil of a raised garden bed.

Test your soil before planting. Many local cooperative extensions offer free or low-cost testing, and DIY kits are easy to find online.

A soil test shows if your garden needs a nutrient boost, which is key for an abundant herb garden.

Additionally, good drainage is essential. For in-ground beds, mix in sand or compost. For containers, always use potting soil.

Step 3: Choose Your Herbs

Close up of basil plants growing in a garden

One mistake I’ve made over the years is gardening without a plan. Every time, it leads to overcrowding or herbs I don’t use.

Planning ahead saves time, money, and space.

Start with herbs you’ll actually use. My favorites include basil, parsley, cilantro, dill, lavender, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

Also, learn each herb’s needs. Rosemary can grow into a massive shrub and live for decades, while basil stays small and lasts one season. So these herbs, for instance, have different space requirements and need different types of TLC.

Step 4: Plant Your Herbs

A person tending to plants in a raised garden bed with various herbs, showing how to start an herb garden.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when planting your herb garden:

Plant herbs with similar needs together. They will be happier, and it’s easier for you to care for.

Keep it simple and easy to access. If your garden is hard to reach or overly complicated, it’s harder to maintain. The goal is to grow food and enjoy the process.

Consider mature sizes before planting. Some herbs, like rosemary and lavender, get big and can outgrow small spaces. Give them room to thrive.

Check temperature needs. Cool-weather herbs do best between 40°-65°F, while warm-weather herbs prefer 60°-85°F. More details on specific herbs are below!

Step 5: Tend Your Herb Garden

A person harvesting basil from a raised herb garden bed

Herbs are low-maintenance, making them perfect for backyard gardens and busy gardeners.

Give them plenty of sunlight and water, and keep weeds under control so they don’t steal nutrients.

To cut down on weeds, mulch with pine straw, grass clippings, straw, or other organic matter about two inches thick.

Once they are about 4-6 inches tall, harvest regularly to encourage new growth.

How To Harvest Your Herbs

A person using scissors to harvest chives from a raised herb garden bed.

This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! Keep these tips in mind for harvesting:

Pick herbs before they flower. Once they bloom and go to seed, the flavor turns bitter, and leaf production dwindles.

For the best flavor, harvest your herbs in the early morning after the dew has dried. This is when their oils are the most potent and flavorful.

In general, harvest only one-third of the plant at a time. Taking too much can weaken it, while too little forces the plant to waste energy on older, less flavorful growth. Check specific guidelines for each herb to keep them thriving.

Avoid harvesting after heavy rain. Wet plants have diluted oils, which can affect their flavor. Wait until the leaves are dry before harvesting.

Cut leafy herbs, like basil, at the tips of the leaf’s stem.

Long-stemmed herbs, like cilantro and lavender, can be cut at the base of the stem.

Leafy perennials, such as oregano, should be harvested in sprigs.

A glass bowl with butter and freshly chopped herbs, surrounded by a cutting board, lemon, and salt.

How To Use Homegrown Herbs

There are practically endless ways you can use homegrown herbs. Here are a few of my favorites:

Culinary: Of course, the most popular use of herbs is cooking and baking. When you cook with fresh herbs, use twice the amount as dried. I love making sourdough London Fog cookies with lavender or topping fresh-milled pizza with basil.

Flower Arrangements: Herbs make beautiful and fragrant additions to flower arrangements. I love to use basil and rosemary in my summer bouquets.

Teas: Herbs such as mint, lavender, and chamomile make lovely homemade teas. In the summer, I use lemon basil for a lightly-flavored iced tea. I also love making tea with tri-colored sage (it makes pink tea!).

Infused Oils: Add your favorite herbs to a dish of oil for a simple, delicious dip with sourdough toast.

Bath and Body Care: Toss fresh herbs into bathwater or dry them and add them to lotions, balms, and other body products.

A glass jar spilling freeze-dried herbs onto a surface.

How to Preserve Herbs

Herbs are one of the easiest foods to preserve. You don’t need any experience, and plenty of preservation options don’t require fancy equipment.

Air Dry: Hang bundles of herbs upside down in a cool, dry place for 1-2 weeks. Once completely dry, store them in an airtight container.

Herb Butter: Hands down, preserving herbs in butter is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to extend your herbs’ shelf life. Check out this post for five herb butter recipes.

Freeze: Freeze fresh herbs for long-term storage by placing them in small sandwich bags, then storing those in a gallon freezer bag to prevent odor transfer. There is no need to thaw them. Just toss them straight into your dish while cooking.

Oil: Chop fresh herbs and add them to an ice cube tray. Pour in oil until each section is half full, then freeze. Once solid, transfer the cubes to an airtight container for easy, ready-to-use herb-infused oil.

Freeze Dried: Freeze drying, in my opinion, is the best way to preserve your homegrown herbs. They retain their flavor and are easy to store. Check out this post to learn how to freeze dry herbs with a Harvest Right freeze dryer.

Dehydrating: Dehydrated herbs are great for pantry storage. You can dry them in the oven or use a food dehydrator. I use a Corsori cabinet food dehydrator and love it!

Herb Salt: Finely chop 1/2 cup of fresh herbs and blend with 1 cup of coarse kosher salt in a food processor. Spread the mixture on parchment paper and let it air dry for 24 hours.

Beginner Food Preservation Vlog

In this vlog complication, I share my favorite ways to start a food preservation journey, including how to make herb butter.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel. New videos come out weekly!

Types of Herbs

We often think of hot summer days as prime gardening season, but most herbs actually thrive in moderate temperatures.

The types of herbs you plant and when you plant them will depend on your growing zone and the average temperature.

Herbs are often categorized as “cool weather” or “warm weather” plants:

Cool Weather Herbs: chervil, chives, cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley, mint, sage, and thyme.
Warm Weather Herbs: basil, lavender, lemongrass, lemon verbena, oregano, and rosemary.

In my experience, some herbs handle seasonal changes better than others.

Here is Zone 8a, cilantro bolts fast once mid-spring hits, while parsley keeps growing through summer, just at a slower pace. Basil, on the other hand, thrives from the last frost to the first.

It’s worth experimenting and seeing what works and what doesn’t in your climate. However, knowing the general tolerance for each herb will help ensure a successful herb garden.

When To Plant Herbs

As I mentioned above, it’s important to plant herbs based on their temperature tolerance.

People often talk about planting by season—like planting cool-weather herbs in the fall. However, seasonal averages vary by location. As such, temperature matters more than the calendar.

For example, fall here in southeastern North Carolina is still hot, so cool-weather herbs struggle. But mid-winter is mild enough to grow them while other places are buried in snow.

Instead of thinking in traditional seasons, try using cold, cool, warm, and hot as a guide. It’s a much more reliable way to time your planting.

Garden Setup Options

In-Ground: Soil quality determines if herbs can grow directly in the ground. Use raised beds or containers for better drainage if you have heavy clay or dense soil.

Raised Bed: My favorite way to grow herbs! Raised beds make gardening easier and work best when placed near the kitchen for quick access.

Container: Containers are a great option for growing herbs, especially those that spread aggressively, like mint. Similar to raised beds, keep containers near the kitchen for easy harvesting while cooking.

Indoor: I have not grown herbs indoors. But many home cooks keep fresh herbs in the kitchen. There are many popular indoor gardening systems available online. Let me know if you try one!

My Backyard Garden Tour

Last year, we expanded our garden and added a greenhouse. Check out what we planted in our herb bed and veggie garden.

Container Garden Tips

Herb container gardens are a great option, whether you have a small patio, a balcony, a suburban backyard, or acres of land.

Here are a few tips for growing herbs in containers:

Choose the Right Size: Use 6–8 inch pots for compact herbs like thyme and chives. Larger herbs like rosemary need at least a 12-inch pot for strong roots. Make sure the container drains well. Greenstalk vertical planters are great for growing herbs.

Fill Containers with Potting Mix: Fill containers with a light, well-draining potting mix. Regular garden soil is too heavy and can cause poor drainage. Also, adding compost or a little Black Kow boosts nutrients.

Water Often: Container herbs dry out faster than in-ground plants. Stick your finger in the soil about an inch deep. If it’s dry, give them a drink, but avoid standing water.

Weed Regularly: Though container gardens have fewer weeds, they can still sneak in and steal nutrients. Check often and pull them out as soon as you see them.

Tips for Frugal Herb Gardening

Growing herbs in my backyard is one of my favorite old-fashioned ways to save money, though there is an upfront cost to starting a garden.

Over time, it pays for itself, especially when you factor in the added benefits like exercise, family time, and community connection (because everyone likes to chit-chat about their gardens).

Luckily, there are a few ways to save money from the get-go:

Start from Seed: The most budget-friendly option. A few dollars gets you dozens of plants, and saving seeds from healthy herbs means free herbs next season.

Buy Local: Local nurseries often have better deals than big retailers. I’ve found six-packs of herbs for just $1.50 at mine.

Plant Perennials: Perennial herbs live for years, sometimes decades, so you won’t need to replant every season. Chives are one of my favorite perennial herbs.

Grow Only What You’ll Use: Skip spending on herbs you won’t use and focus on what you’ll cook with or enjoy in bouquets.

A seed tray filled with soil, labeled for dill and Italian parsley, with gardening tools nearby, showing how to start an herb gardenf rom seed

Starting from Seed vs. Herb Transplants

These pointers can help you decide whether starting from seed or planting transplants is the best choice for your garden.

And just in case you were wondering, I do a little bit of both in my garden.

Starting from Seed

Start Indoors or Outdoors: Start seeds indoors about six weeks before the last frost or sow them directly in the garden. Direct sowing is a simple alternative if you don’t have time or the setup to care for indoor seedlings.

Rewarding and Fun: It’s amazing to watch a plant grow from seed to harvest and then enjoy it in your cooking.

Different Varieties: Starting your herb garden from seed gives you access to unique varieties that aren’t always available as transplants.

Requires More Time: Starting from seed is fun and rewarding, but it takes longer from germination to harvest. If you’re short on time, transplants might be the better option.

Planting Transplants

Buy Local: I always recommend buying transplants from a local grower. Big box stores often sell varieties that don’t suit your local climate, and local growers are usually more affordable.

Head Start for Harvesting: Transplants give you a head start for harvesting because they are already mature. So you don’t have to wait out the tender germination and seedling phases.

Quick Gratification: If you want the easiest way to start your herb garden, go with transplants. They’re ready to plant and require less time and effort than starting from seed.

Plant Quality: You can choose the healthiest looking transplants. Whereas with seeds, you never really know what you will get.

FAQs and Troubleshooting

What are the easiest herbs for beginners?

Basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, chives, and parsley are easy-to-grow herbs that are great for beginners. They are low-maintenance and offer a high yield.

What pests do I need to worry about?

Many herbs repel pests, making them excellent companion plants for other areas of your garden. However, even herbs can be susceptible to pests such as white flies, spider mites, and aphids.

To get rid of pests, you can use a shop vacuum (I swear, this works), neem oil, or even pick them off by hand (which is gross and I don’t like doing).

Also, make sure your plants are appropriately spaced and have airflow. Pesky bugs and fungi thrive in gardens without circulation.

Do herbs need fertilizer?

Luckily, herbs don’t need much fertilizer. I usually fertilize my garden bed at the beginning of the season and add a little Black Kow. Then, I use a mild, balanced fertilizer once a month.

What is companion planting and how do I use herbs for it?

Companion planting is where certain plants are grown together to boost growth and flavor. For example, basil thrives with tomatoes, and chamomile enhances cabbage flavor.

On the flip side, some plants don’t get along. For instance, sage can stunt carrots’ growth.

As you start, don’t stress too much about companion planting. Just grow a few herbs that do well together, and as you gain experience, you can experiment with different pairings.

"How to Start an Herb Garden" text overlay on an image of basil and dill growing in a raised garden bed with a woven basket in the background.

Let’s Connect!

If you started an herb garden, let me know how it’s going! Or, if you have tips for success, share them in the comments.

Also, don’t forget to pin this post and follow Moon + Magnolia on Pinterest. You can save all my recipes on your boards and keep up with the latest happenings!

Share your creations on Instagram and tag @moon_and_magnolia!