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Herbs Growing Guide

Herbs Growing Guide Image

Herbs Growing Guide

CLICK HERE for the downloadable PDF.

There are hundreds of types of herbs. Here are the most important herbs, grouped by how they are grown.

  • Tender Herbs include Basil, Cilantro and Stevia. These do not like any temperatures lower than 45 degrees F. It is best to grow them on your windowsill until early June or later, then plant them outside. Or, plant these into a larger pot and bring them indoors during cool weather.
  • Rosemary, Lavender, the Mints, Chives and Scented Geraniums. These are strong plants that tolerate cool and hot temperatures, and should even survive a drought.
  • The rest of the herbs are more like other garden plants. Dill, Lemon Balm, Marjoram, Parsley, Sage, Tarragon and Thyme are in this group.
  • In the summer garden, it works well to harvest some growth off your herbs every week or two. Not a full scale shearing! Each time, take about half the growth off of 10-20% of the shoots. The plants will stay bushy and will fill out so that later in the summer you’ll have a very nice crop.
  • If you want to overwinter these herbs indoors, follow these steps:
    1. After Labor Day, cut the plant back about half way. That is, cut off about ½ of the growth.
    2. Dig the plant and re-plant it into a 4” or 6” diameter pot, using a good potting mix.
    3. Keep the newly potted herbs outside but in a sheltered / shady place.
    4. Water them well and then again every other day for 7 - 10 days. After that, water and fertilize them like regular house plants.
    5. Move them into more sunlight as they recover from the re-potting – maybe 2 weeks after you re-pot them.
    6. After that, just be careful to bring them in on frosty nights. The longer they stay outside in the fall, the better they will be on your windowsill.
  • Rosemary, Lavender, and Scented Geraniums make good windowsill plants during the winter. All three want their soil to dry between irrigations. Give them a good drink and wait for the soil to dry before watering them again.
  • Chives, Parsley, Sage, and Thyme can also work well as windowsill plants during the winter. Like the ‘really tough herbs’, allow the soil to dry between waterings.
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