In all cases, herbs are one of the easiest plants to grow and have a multitude of uses. Below are some general growing requirements for herbs:

Location – Most herbs prefer a sunny location, receiving approximately 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. They should be planted in a well drained soil. Adding organic matter and/or peat moss to the soil will help with soil aeration and provide necessary drainage. In containers, be sure to use a light potting soil mix.

Watering – Herbs like to be a little on the dry side. By keeping herbs a little dry, it forces the roots to stay at the bottom of the pot which promotes vigorous roots and healthy strong plants. The best time to water herbs is in the morning so that they have a chance to dry out by nightfall. Over-watering herbs will cause the roots to become ‘lazy’ and less vigorous which could lead to root rot and eventually kill the plant. Herbs grown in a container may(usually) require watering more often.

Fertilizing – Herbs require little fertilization. If your soil contains sufficient organic matter, such as manure, herbs will benefit from the nutrients they receive from the soil. Over-fertilizing has the same effect as over-watering, it can be detrimental to the plant.

Cutting – Pruning herbs regularly naturally stimulates growth. Pruning herbs can be as simple as pinching back growing tips to encourage branching, removing or deadheading spent flowers, and/or harvesting a major portion of a plant for drying and preserving. Pinching back herbs throughout the growing season is the best way to maintain healthy, vigorous, attractive plants.

To prune herbs, cut branches just above a leaf node, or above another branch where you want new growth to occur. It is important to deadhead herbs to keep plants growing and to encourage more flowering.