Complete Herb Garden Guide: Design, Soil, Planting & Year-Round Maintenance

Site & Soil Preparation

• Aspect: South, southeast, or east facing (morning sun best). Your SW wall is excellent.
• Soil: Well-drained, no clay. Dig 8–12″ deep; amend with compost/manure. Poor soil = more aromatic oils; rich soil = more foliage.
• Drainage: Critical. Add sand if heavy. Raised beds work well.

Design & Spacing (1m x 4m Bed)

Perennials (back/center): Laurel (bay), sage, thyme, rosemary, lavender – space 18–24″.
Biennials/Annuals (front/edges): Parsley, basil, chives, tarragon – space 8–12″.
Mint family: Plant in buried pots or separate containers to prevent takeover.

Planting Steps

1. Harden off nursery plants 3–5 days.
2. Plant on cloudy day or evening.
3. Tease roots, trim dead stems/flowers.
4. Set ½″ deeper than pot level.
5. Water with diluted seaweed/fish fertilizer.
6. Mulch with straw/leaves.

Seasonal Maintenance Calendar

Season	Tasks
Spring	Prune woody herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme, lavender) by ⅓. Divide chives, mint. Plant annuals after frost. Fertilize with compost.
Summer	Harvest frequently (pinch basil flowers). Water deeply but infrequently. Mulch. Watch pests.
Fall	Stop fertilizing. Cut back perennials lightly. Mulch crowns. Bring tender pots in.
Winter	Minimal water. Protect with evergreen boughs. Plan next year's rotations.

Pruning Rule (All Herbs)

When new growth reaches 6–12″, cut back ⅓ every 3 weeks. Never go >3 weeks without pruning—even if not harvesting. Prevents woodiness, boosts yield.

Recommended Resources

• Books: Sal Gilbertie, Herb Gardening from the Ground Up; Tom DeBaggio.
• Web: herbworld.com, johnnyseeds.com, richters.com.