How to Start Your Own Herb Garden

Why Herb Gardening?

One of the most rewarding, money-saving hobbies. Once you learn the basics, it becomes a lifelong passion.

Planning Your Herbs

Audit your kitchen: which herbs do you actually use? Research their growing needs online or at a local nursery. Most are easy but need spring replanting.

Drying Herbs for Storage

1. Cut leafy tops in midsummer.
2. Hang briefly to evaporate surface moisture.
3. Wash in cold water.
4. Bundle tightly with string at stem ends.
5. Place in paper bag (stems at opening), secure with rubber band.
6. Hook bag via paper clip on a line to dry.
7. Wait 2 weeks until fully dry.
8. Crumble leaves, spread on shallow pan, dry in oven on lowest setting (don't burn).

Air-drying risks insect contamination; oven method is cleaner and equally effective.

Enjoy Year-Round Flavor

Properly dried herbs last months. Use ½ tsp dried per 1 tbsp fresh in recipes.