
Creating your own herb garden is a great way to bring some greenery into your life and have fresh herbs at your fingertips. According to our article, a south-facing wall is ideal for a herb garden, as it receives the most sunlight.
You can choose a variety of herbs to plant, but it's essential to select herbs that thrive in your local climate. For example, basil and mint are popular choices that can tolerate a range of temperatures.
To get started, you'll need a container or a designated area with good drainage. Herbs don't like wet feet, so make sure the soil isn't waterlogged. This can be achieved by using a container with drainage holes or adding organic matter to improve soil structure.
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How to Plan a Garden
To plan a garden, remember that it's essential to have easy access to the plants you want to harvest. Consider using stepping stones to reach the centre of a wide plot.
Round or oval-shaped gardens allow you to walk around or through them, making it a great option for a smaller space. A triangular bed is perfect for a corner spot.
Divide your garden into sections based on the growing requirements of your plants. Use a cartwheel or chessboard layout with bricks, bark chippings, or gravel to create separate areas.
Raised beds give you control over the soil composition, allowing you to grow a variety of herbs. They also add an extra level to the garden and make harvesting easier.
Taller herbs like bronze fennel work well near the centre of a bed, while low-growing herbs like curly-leafed parsley and chives make great edging plants.
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Planting and Caring
To create a thriving herb garden, you'll want to start with well-drained soil. Most culinary herbs need this to thrive, so if you have heavy clay soil, you'll need to lighten it by digging in some well-rotted compost.
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To ensure good drainage in pots, put some crocks at the bottom and use good peat-free, multipurpose compost with some horticultural grit or perlite added. This will help prevent waterlogged soil and root rot.
Research the eventual height and spread of each herb so you can give it enough space to grow. Plant at the same depth as the root ball and water in well to settle the soil.
How to Care for Your
Water your new herb garden regularly until the plants have established, especially in hot weather. This will help them get a strong start and prevent them from drying out.
To ensure a steady supply of fresh annual herbs, sowing a new batch once you’re halfway through your current crop is a good idea. This will give you a continuous supply of fresh herbs throughout the growing season.
For perennials growing in pots, it's a good idea to scrape away some of the compost and replace with fresh in spring. This will give them a boost and keep them healthy.
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Herbs like mint and chives die down in winter, so need cutting to the ground in late autumn. This will help them regrow in the spring and keep them looking their best.
Woody, evergreen herbs like rosemary and sage become straggly with age, so prune into shape after flowering or in spring. This will keep them looking neat and tidy.
Here are some specific care tips for different types of herbs:
How to Harvest
Harvesting your herbs regularly is key to keeping them healthy and thriving. Annual herbs in particular need picking regularly, so they don't go to seed.
Culinary herbs are the original cut-and-come-again crop, and they benefit from regular pickings.
Feed your herbs after you've picked them with a seaweed feed or comfrey feed, as these are ideal for them.
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Container and Planter Ideas
You can use pretty much any container for growing herbs, as long as it has some drainage holes and crocks at the bottom for drainage. Upcycle old tin baths or wine boxes, or get creative with other items you can find.
For a quaint herb garden, plant your herbs in mason jars and display them on a counter or shelf in your kitchen. This is a great option if you want a simple and low-maintenance herb garden.
Believe it or not, you can create a beautiful wooden wall planter for your herb garden in under an hour and for under $10. This is a great DIY project that can add a touch of greenery to your kitchen.
Using a container that's easily transportable from indoors to outdoors is a great idea. For example, you can use a utensil caddy with 6 compartments, like a galvanized steel one, to grow your herbs. This makes it easy to move your herb garden around and ensure your herbs get the right amount of sunlight.
Some other herbs that grow well in containers include cilantro, sweet mint, chives, and Mexican tarragon.
You can also use a vertical, wall-mounted herb garden featuring modern ceramic planters to breathe new life into a bare kitchen corner. Just be sure to line the bottom of each pot with small stones for drainage.
Here are some ideas for containers and planters you can use for your herb garden:
- Mason jars
- Wooden wall planters
- Utensil caddies
- Galvanized steel planters
- Ceramic planters
Indoor Gardening

Growing your own herbs indoors can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be a bit tricky. Too much water can cause your herbs to shrivel up and wither away.
One way to simplify the process is to start with herb starters from the garden department at a store like Walmart. This way, you can skip the step of growing your herbs from seed and get straight to caring for nearly mature plants.
Adding aquarium gravel to the bottom of each section of your indoor herb planter can help with drainage. This is a simple solution that can make a big difference in keeping your herbs healthy.
To plant your herbs, you can peel off the top portion of the biodegradable pot and squeeze the whole thing down into a square. Then you can fill in any gaps with potting soil.
Using mason jars is another great option for a quaint herb garden. Simply plant your herbs in the jars and display them on a counter or shelf in your kitchen.
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Here are some common materials you'll need to get started:
- Galvanized utensil caddy
- Aquarium gravel
- Garden soil
- Herb starters (6 or more, depending on your utensil caddy)
By using a DIY herb garden planter, you can enjoy fresh herbs right in your own kitchen. And the best part is that it's easy to make and requires minimal maintenance.
DIY and Decor
You can repurpose old items to create a one-of-a-kind herb garden. An old chicken feeder can be transformed into a stylish herb garden with an industrial feel.
For a more whimsical look, you can use leftover lotion bottles and paint them with pastel colors to create sweet little planters for your herbs.
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Advice on Buying
Buying the right plants can make all the difference in your DIY and decor projects. You can grow herbs as small plug plants online in spring, or buy them as ready-grown plants at the garden centre, in small 9cm pots or larger, 2L ones.
If you're looking to save some money, it's more economical to grow annual and biennial herbs, such as coriander, basil or parsley, from seed. This can be a great way to get started with your herb garden without breaking the bank.
Before you make a purchase, be sure to check that you have the right conditions for the herbs you want to grow. This will ensure that they thrive and provide you with the best results.
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Stacked

If you're short on space, consider stacking planters of various sizes on top of one another to create a unique and space-saving design.
This technique, like the Stacked Herb Garden, is both beautiful and functional.
Stacking planters can add visual interest to a room, making it feel more dynamic and engaging.
Colorful Upcycled
You can create a colorful upcycled herb garden with just a few simple materials.
Some leftover lotion bottles are all you'll need to make these sweet little planters for your herb garden.
Pastel paints are a great way to add a pop of color to your upcycled planters.
This project is perfect for those who want a unique and eco-friendly way to display their herbs.
You can easily make these planters and have them ready to use in no time, and they're great for small spaces.
SHOP TERRACOTTA POTS
DIY Sign
You can give your DIY herb garden a professional touch with a custom sign. Use a Cricut Maker to create the sign with your favorite font.

A free cut file can help you complete a project in no time, like creating vinyl labels for your herb garden. These labels come in a pretty script and can be made with a Silhouette Cameo.
To add some extra charm to your porch decor, consider a vertical garden. You can use a bit of cedar fencing and painted terracotta pots to create a unique look.
A chalkboard frame can give your herb garden a bistro feel and make it easy to label your herbs with chalk.
Wood Frame
A wood frame herb garden is a stylish and space-saving option for indoor gardening. You can place this planter in a window or mount it to your wall.
For a minimalist look, consider using a simple wood frame planter. The beauty of this design is that it doesn't require any mounting, making it easy to set up.
Incorporating a wood frame into your herb garden design can add a touch of elegance to your home. The frame can also help to protect your herbs from direct sunlight.
If you're looking for a unique display option, consider leaning your wood frame planter against a fence or siding. This will create a charming garden display that's perfect for small spaces.
Here are some materials you'll need to get started:
- Wood frame planter
- Garden soil
- Herb starters
Magnetic

Magnetic planters can make a DIY project a breeze, as seen in the Magnetic Herb Garden idea that utilizes the side of your fridge for a mini herb garden.
You can use magnetic planters to add a mini herb garden to the side of your fridge, freeing up counter space in your kitchen.
Magnetic planters are perfect for small spaces and can be easily attached to metal surfaces, making them a great option for a kitchen makeover.
Consider using magnetic planters for a unique and space-saving way to display your favorite herbs or plants.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What month should you start an herb garden?
Start your herb garden in March to May, once the risk of frost has passed. If you're eager, you can start some herbs indoors in late winter for an early start.
What is the best layout for an herb garden?
A simple and efficient herb garden layout features four square beds around a central sundial or small bed with a single tall herb, such as Rosemary or Bay tree. This design allows for easy maintenance and visually appealing growth patterns.
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