However, many people are intimidated to grow them and are not sure what to do with them when it’s time to harvest. But don’t worry, we have you covered. Whether you’re cooking or crafting, here are our favorite tips for getting the most out of your herb garden. Seeds require a specific environment for germinating and hardening off before you plant them. For the same price (and often less) as a packet of seeds, you can purchase starter plants for basic culinary herbs like basil, rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, and English lavender. When you have a season or two under your belt, then branch out to other specialty varieties. There are dozens of different varieties of basil, sage, and other herbs, and they all have subtle differences in taste and appearance. Getting starter plants for less common varieties will cost more, but after a season or two, you’ll know what it takes to grow them, so your chances of success will increase. Also, make sure you are choosing the right varieties. Although an herb may be in the same family, there are differences in flavor. If you want to make homemade pesto, don’t buy Thai basil, which has a strong anise flavor. Spend some time thinking about what you want to do with the herbs before you purchase them. This will help you narrow down your choices and pick the right herbs for your needs. However, if your soil is heavy (like clay soil, for example), you should amend it to drain better by mixing in some compost or other organic material. If you feel badly tossing pruned cuttings into the compost, then create with them! Dry them for off-season use or use them in a floral arrangement as greenery filler. Pruning herbs is a “must” to maintain a healthy plant. However, it’s OK to let some plants go to flower. Herb blooms are perfect for pollinators and add some color to your herb garden. The easiest method is to take a cutting right from a stem not in flower, making sure it’s at least 4 inches. Remove the leaves off the bottom 2 inches. Put the cutting in a glass of water and place it on a sunny windowsill. You should see roots in two to four weeks. Once you see enough roots, pot the stem or plant it in the garden.
