A Beginner’s Guide to Hardy Herbs to Grow in Any Season

Ditch the small amounts of overpriced, wilted herbs from the grocery store and complete your dishes with homegrown herbs instead. You’ll save money and taste the difference. 

Growing herbs at home is fun and an easy way to expand your vegetable garden. Even when space is limited, you can produce a variety of herbs. We’ll show you how to grow all your favorites in grow bags, containers, or raised beds. This article covers how to plan, set up, harvest, maintain, and preserve your herb garden, along with common mistakes to avoid.

Learn How to Grow an Herb Garden

Planning Your Herb Garden

You’ll have the most success if you plan your space, design, layout, and goals before planting. 

Step 1: Define Your Space and Goals

Look at the available space and decide where you’ll grow your herbs. With proper sunlight and water, they can grow in ground plots, bags, pots, vertical planters, or on windowsills. Their mature height and lighting needs will help you determine where they’ll perform best. Basil will bush out and grow tall as you continue to prune and harvest. Cilantro and oregano will remain relatively short until they go to flower. 

Start by growing herbs you love to cook with. Once your system is in place, add something new and different, like chervil or anise hyssop. After all, half the fun of gardening is trying new things! 

Step 2: Selecting Your Herbs

Ideal herbs for beginners: 

• Basil
• Thyme
• Parsley
• Chives 
• Mint

Sage, cumin, lavender, chamomile, and rosemary are more difficult to start from seed and take longer to establish, but don’t count them out. Consider whether an herb is an annual or perennial before selecting its garden placement.

Lavender, chives, lemon balm, sage, and chamomile will last for many years with proper maintenance. You’ll need to replant annual basil and dill plants every year, as they don't survive winters with frost. Note that the status may change across zones. 

Many herbs make excellent companions, attracting beneficial pollinators and deterring critters and pests. Studies like this one from the Red Crescent Medical Journal even show that many herbal plants are effective alternatives to environmentally damaging insecticides and can repel various garden insects. Learn more in our article Boost Harvests with Companion Planting.

Setting Up Your Herb Garden

Now it’s time to select containers, prepare the soil, and install an irrigation system. 

Step 3: Herb Garden Setup

Let’s discuss the pros and cons of growing in raised beds, grow bags, and individual pots. 

Growing Herbs in Grow Bags

Grow bags are a great way to get started with container gardening. They range from 2 gallons to 200 gallons, feature handles, and are made of breathable, food-safe material. Herbs do best when combined with other plants.

Grab a 10- or 25-gallon bag and fill it with a diverse mix of herbs, flowers, and annual vegetables for the best results. The handles make it easy to grab the bags and bring them inside to protect plants from a sudden cold surge, which growers love. 

Advantages of grow bags: 

• Healthier root system due to air-pruning capabilities 
• Temperature control 
• Prevents over-watering 
• Easy to store 
• Versatile 

Bags work exceptionally well for growers in hot climates or those with clayey or sandy soil. Bootstrap Farmer metal raised beds are a more permanent option that is easy to assemble, durable, and long-lasting. A 50 to 200-gallon grow bag is a great alternative to a wooden or metal raised bed.

You can also add individual herbs to separate pots. They’re easy to find and relatively cheap. However, herbs perform better with other crops. Individual pots may serve as a stepping stone to a larger container or growing space. 

Step 4: Preparing Your Soil

Most herbs prefer well-draining soil and balanced nutrition. Soil that is too rich can lead to less flavorful herbs and decreased essential oils. Test your soil’s pH annually. 

Avoid using garden soil that may be compacted and contain harmful pathogens. Add compost or coco coir to your potting mix to enhance root growth, improve drainage, and promote development. Learn more in our article about maximizing growth in raised beds. 

Step 5: Setting Up Irrigation

The key to growing herbs is to avoid overwatering. Drip irrigation keeps water off foliage, reducing the risk of disease. It also gets water directly to the roots and decreases evaporation. To save water, install drip lines in your raised beds or container gardens. Schedule waterings to keep the soil moist and prevent overwatering.

Planting and Growing

Whether you start your seeds at home or buy seedlings from your local nursery, placement and maintenance are key to their success. 

Step 6: Starting from Seeds or Seedlings

Starting plants from seed allows you to transplant the healthiest, most robust plants into your garden. Having high-performing supplies will increase success. Our 1010 seed-starting kit contains everything you need for successful germination and growth.

Use 3.3” pots for up-potting and hardening off, and ensure the seedlings have proper access to light after germination.  

Not ready to tackle seed-starting? Find a local nursery with a good reputation for selling high-quality, organic seedlings. Read reviews, ask about seed source, and organic practices. 

Step 7: Placement and Sunlight

Plants become spindly and discolored if they don’t receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. Sun-loving, Mediterranean herbs like thyme, oregano, and rosemary won’t thrive without it.

Established plants can tolerate dry soil and drought conditions. Cilantro, dill, basil, and parsley need more water when grown in full sun. To prevent bolting, cover them with shade cloth.

Bootstrap tip: Avoid placing a permanent raised bed or container in a shady spot. Instead, use grow bags that are easily moved around your garden plot to capture the sun’s rays.

Avoid overcrowding your herbs, as they don’t like to compete with neighbors. Exact spacing depends on the herb. Here are spacing suggestions for common herbs:

Step 8: Proper Care and Maintenance

Most herbs don’t need much fertilizer, but you should amend the soil as needed. After reading soil test results, incorporate organic feed.

Bootstrap tip: Dry and preserve herb cuttings instead of tossing them in the compost pile. Deep mesh trays provide excellent airflow for drying. 

Harvesting and Beyond

Harvesting herbs at the right time will keep plants healthy and high-yielding.

Step 9: Harvesting Your Herbs Correctly

How you harvest depends on how you want your herb plants to behave. Pinching back seedlings will encourage a bushier growth habit. Regular harvesting leads to a prolonged season and prevents premature bolting. 

To harvest: 

• Do it in the morning, when essential oils are the most potent, before the sun gets too hot, and after the dew has dried. 

• Use high-quality pruners to prevent plant injury. Keep them clean and sharp to reduce the chance of disease. Once tender herbs like cilantro or basil are 6-8 inches tall, finger-pinching them is acceptable. 

• Harvest small amounts as needed for cooking one to two times a week. Harvest large amounts of bushy herbs like basil more frequently, as the plant can tolerate it. In the peak season, this may be every other day. Much of knowing when to harvest comes with experience. 

• Cut stems on an angle to help them heal properly. 

• Avoid taking more than ⅓ of the plant. Taking more can damage the plant and prevent proper photosynthesis, which is essential for future growth. 

• Remove flowers as you see them to keep the plant producing and prevent it from developing a bitter taste. 

Bootstrap tip: To maintain the best flavor and quality, preserve your herbs as soon as possible after harvesting. For tips on preserving commonly grown herbs, read How to Dry Basil and Other Herbs. 

Step 10: Expanding Indoors or Year-Round Strategies

If you live in a cold region, bring annual herbs indoors in the winter. Mulch perennial plants in questionable zones like 4, 5, and 6 to ensure their survival. Use 5” pots or small grow bags to easily transport them until the spring. Grow lights and minimal water will keep them alive through the winter. Some perennials, like rosemary, prefer cool, dry areas with little to no light for dormancy. 

Take cuttings in the winter months to help expand your summer plot or make gifts for friends. If your space is limited, learn about the benefits of container growing. To make the most of your space, check out Increase Your Urban Farm's Output with Container Gardening.

Need inspiration for using herbs in the kitchen? The Food Network links its favorite dish recipes with 10 commonly grown herbs.

Additional Herb Growing Tips and Common Mistakes

• Amend the ground soil or add a raised bed to create an environment where each type of herb can thrive.

• Get to know your seeds and plants. Learn about unique requirements. For instance, soak cumin seeds for 10 hours before sowing, and direct-seed borage to reduce transplant shock.

• Plant herbs alongside other plants with similar needs. 

• Never take more than ⅓ of a plant to prevent injury and stunted growth. 

• Avoid overwatering Mediterranean herbs. 

• Companion plant and use natural remedies to prevent pests. 

• Harvest and prune often to encourage a bushier growth habit and avoid spindly plants. 

Container growing helps you use your space efficiently. Using professional supplies for backyard growing increases success. Before closing up your garden for the season, complete these eight chores. 

FAQs About Starting an Herb Garden 

What herbs grow best in small spaces?

Dill, calendula, basil, chives, and parsley don’t need much space. Harvest them often to keep them producing. 

How often should I water my herb garden?

Water your herb garden one to three times weekly. The frequency and duration will depend on the type of herb and your soil type.

Can I grow herbs indoors without sunlight?

While herbs like chervil, parsley, and mint can survive with four to six hours of sunlight daily, none will thrive without sunlight. If you don’t have a sunny windowsill or outdoor space, consider adding a grow rack to your indoor growing space. 

Which herbs are annuals, and which are perennials?

This list is not extensive, but here are some commonly grown annual and perennial herbs. 

Annual herbs: 

• Basil 

• Borage*

• Celery 

• Chamomile* 

• Chervil 

• Coriander 

• Cumin

• Dill*

• Parsley (will grow as a biennial in certain climates if left in the ground)

• Shiso (can be perennial in hot zones)

• Summer savory 

*indicates herbs that readily self-seed

Perennial herbs: 

• Bay

• Catmint  

• Chives

• Echinacea

• Lavender

• Lemonbalm 

• Marjoram

• Mint

• Oregano 

• Rosemary 

• Sage

• Thyme

• Winter savory

How do I keep pests away from my herbs naturally?

The pungent smell of many herbs naturally deters pests. If you have pest issues:

• Companion plant garlic or onions

• Use a natural soap or vinegar solution, or neem oil

• Keep debris and cuttings out of the garden to discourage bugs from nesting and raising brood nearby

What type of soil is best for growing herbs?

Most plants, including herbs, thrive in slightly acidic, well-draining, loamy soil. Mediterranean herbs can tolerate sandy soil and some drought conditions. If your native soil is clayey or thick, consider growing in containers. 

How do I know when my herbs are ready to harvest?

Harvest timing differs for each herb. Ensure the best flavor by harvesting them before they flower. For tender annuals like basil, wait until they have three to four sets of true leaves. Cut the main stem above a growing node for the initial pruning. Then, continue by removing the lower, larger leaves, allowing the young, tender leaves to continue maturing. 

Harvest herbs grown for their flowers, like chamomile and lavender, just as they start to open. Snip thyme, oregano, sage, and rosemary at any time.

Can I start my herb garden in winter?

Yes, you can start seeds and plants indoors during the winter months to get a head start on summer harvests. Bring perennials inside if they need protection. To expand your plot, put cuttings in 4-cell or 5-inch pots.  

Is it better for beginners to start with seeds or seedlings?

Beginner gardeners will have more success using seedlings, as many herb seeds are tiny and difficult to work with. But with the right seed-starting supplies, you can successfully start seeds at home. 

Which herbs grow well together in the same container?

Combine herbs with similar environmental conditions, soil types, and watering needs.

• Cool-season herbs: Cilantro and parsley 

• Moisture-lovers: Basil, parsley, chives, dill, chervil 

• Sun-lovers: Lavender, rosemary, sage

To prevent aggressive spreaders like mint, lemon balm, and chamomile from taking over, give them their own space.