Starting a Basic Herb Garden

A basic herb garden doesn't need much space — whether you're working with a windowsill in an apartment or a full backyard bed, fresh herbs are within easy reach.

Choosing Your Format

Decide first whether you want a container garden, a dedicated kitchen garden, or a backyard bed — then decide whether to start from seed or transplant already-growing plants. Either way, you'll need the same basic supplies: soil, fertilizer, seeds or starter plants, containers if going that route, and a spade.

Getting It in the Ground

For containers, add soil and fertilizer, moisten if needed, then plant seeds per their instructions or transplant according to the guidance that comes with the plant. For a kitchen garden bed, weed and till the area first to break up the soil and clear out rocks and debris, then work in topsoil and fertilizer before planting the same way. Whichever format you choose, match each herb's light needs to where you place it — some want full sun, others tolerate more shade — since getting that wrong is one of the most common reasons a new herb garden underperforms.