Creating an Herb Garden

Unlike many other types of gardening, herbs are very inexpensive and easy to maintain. The beginner can be an instant success, and as time goes by, develop into a master gardener, growing more difficult and esoteric plants. There is room for all skill levels, and many different garden situations.

Culinary herbs
First in most peoples minds are the culinary herbs. These are the herbs we are all most familiar with basil, rosemary, parsley and oregano, etc. In growing these plants, we not only provide ourselves the joy of gardening, but the satisfaction of eating the fruits of our labor. The flavorings that herb gardens provide to our daily bread can truly enhance our lives. Ask anyone who has used fresh herbs in their cooking and they'll tell you that dried herbs can't compare. Some are perennial, some are annual and with few exceptions, all are easily grown. Everyone can grow these plants, from the window boxes and container gardens of apartment dwellers, to the borders and raised beds of country folk. It is one of those simple pleasures that is an inexpensive luxury.

Herb garden design
The herb garden is historically a more formal design. When we think of herb gardens, we generally tend to think of the clipped hedges of the parterre, or the precise brick walkways of the colonial herb garden. In today's world, the formal lines and designs can be hard to fit into our modern panorama, and we should look to make our herb garden fit our landscape and not the other way around. On the other hand, if you live in a colonial style home, what could be a more appropriate garden than a colonial style herb garden?

Herb container gardening
My herb garden at home is a container garden. The doorway from our kitchen opens onto a paved area, so this is the perfect answer for my situation. All things being equal, I think this is probably the best style for me. Even if I lived in my own home, I like the informal jumble of pots by the kitchen door, and I can bring my rosemary and lemon grass in for the winter with very little fuss. The different glazes and textures of the pots lend color to what could have been a very green garden, and containers allow me to adjust soil mixtures to suit specific plants. Window-boxes are another form of container with all the benefits previously mentioned, plus the added attraction of being just outside a kitchen window. To sum up, containers are easy and fun. I highly recommend this style of gardening, especially to those just starting out.