Beginner's Guide to Starting a Home Herb Garden

Start with herbs you already use—check your spice rack or cookbook. Common categories:

• Strong: Rosemary, sage, winter savory
• Accent: Tarragon, thyme, sweet basil, dill, mint, sweet marjoram
• Blending: Chives, parsley, summer savory

Lifecycle Types

• Annuals (one season): anise, basil, dill, coriander
• Biennials (two seasons, bloom second): caraway, parsley
• Perennials (return yearly): chives, fennel, mint, thyme, oregano

Indoor Growing Basics

• South/west windows; supplement with grow lights in winter.
• Soil: 2 parts sterilized potting mix, 1 part coarse sand, 1 tsp lime per 5-inch pot, 1-inch gravel base.
• Water: Keep moist, not soggy. Mist between waterings.
• Annuals stay indoors; perennials benefit from summer outdoors.
• Bring in before frost (light frost benefits mint, chives, tarragon).

Long-Term Maintenance

Light feeding, renew annuals, rotate perennials, prune regularly. Your herb garden stays productive for years.