You don't need a lot of space to grow herbs--a 2' by 2' plot will do nicely, supplying enough herbs for seasoning your food, with some left over for gifts. And if you don't have even that much space to spare, you can grow herbs in a window box or containers. Andrea Crawford of Kenter Canyon Farms in California explains how to get started. Perennial herbs in 4" nursery containers will double or quadruple in size, so allow sufficient room for them to grow when you're planning your garden. Begin with a minimum of six plants. Water the plants in the containers when you bring them home, and water the new planting site. Never transplant when the soil is dry. Herbs don't need much in the way of soil amendments and will tolerate most soil conditions. Loosen the soil if it's compacted. Remove plants from their containers by gently squeezing the sides of the plastic pots and tugging carefully on the foliage at the same time. Loosen the root ball gently if necessary. Place the plant in a prepared hole, making sure that the top of the root ball is just above the surface of the soil. Fill in the soil around the root ball, firming it with your fingers to make sure there are no air pockets. Immediately after planting, water to settle the soil around the roots (figure A). Water the plants each morning for several days to prevent the foliage from drying out while the roots get settled. If the weather is hot at planting time, tent plants with newspaper to protect the foliage until the roots can take up water again, usually in a few days. You don't need scissors to harvest herbs: just squeeze off tender new growth at the tips of the branches with your thumb and index finger (figure B). Consider the following herbs for your garden. All require full sun. Oregano, a relative of mint, is useful in Italian cooking. It's an excellent choice for a rock garden or a groundcover. Sage, also a member of the mint family, has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Sage is a traditional poultry seasoning. Savory is often paired with tomatoes and may be used in stews and fish stocks. Savory is also used in decorations and flower arrangements because its sturdy leaves hold their shape when cut. Tarragon, a member of the daisy family, is the classic herb to accompany fish. It can be fussy to grow, so purchase several plants to ensure success, and plant each in a different location.
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