How to Design a Herb Garden
Designing an herb garden is a great way to add function and style to your home. When you carefully craft and cultivate an herb garden, you give yourself the gift of a hobby that rewards you with deliciously fragranced plants. With some basic knowledge, you can quickly design and plant your herb garden.
- Determine the type of herb garden you wish to grow. Do you want to grow herbs for cooking, or herbs to use for fragrance purposes? Plant traditional herbs like parsley, basil, chives and sage to keep cooking herbs on hand. Populate your herb garden with lemon balm, mint and lavender for a scented plant variety. Mix the two together if you wish to use your herbs for cooking and scenting purposes.
- Perform research before you choose herb types. Learn about the type of herbs that will flourish in your geographic climate. If you wish to grow an herb that prefers shade or needs to be moved indoors during the winter, place it in a planter so it can be moved around as needed.
- Section off an area of your yard for your herb garden. Choose an area that receives six to ten hours of sunlight per day, as most herbs thrive in full sun.
- Till the soil and create a perimeter with decorative fencing or trellises.
- Start seeds indoors or buy pre-started herb plants. Plant the sprouted seeds in 1/4 to 1/2 holes and pack them firmly into the soil.
- Add lavender or nepeta to incorporate color into your herb garden design. These herbs are both fragrant and colorful, so they are the perfect way to enhance your herb garden and add a colorful accent.
- Add a birdbath or water fountain to the design. Your plants will benefit from this nearby water source.
- Incorporate decorations to add the finishing touch to your garden's design. Decorative stones, glass ornaments and other various items add dimension to your garden's style.