Best Time to Plant an Herb Garden

Herbs serve many purposes in the garden. Aside from their uses in cooking, crafts and herbal remedies, their foliage and flowers add color and interest to the garden, sometimes attracting butterflies and birds as well.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Some herbs don't tolerate cold temperatures well, and if you're starting from seed, you'll want to start these plants indoors, says Jo Ann Gardner in her book "Living with Herbs." The best time to start seeds indoors depends on the herb, since germination times vary. For example, start lemon balm indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost, basil and sage six to eight weeks and chamomile four to six weeks.

Starting Seeds Outdoors
Planting outdoor seeds revolves around the last frost date in your area, with some herbs---arugula, chamomile, chervil and cress---going into the ground a week before the final frost. Sow borage, coriander and dill the week after the last frost date.

Transplants
Other herbs, such as parsley, don't grow as easily from seed, or you may wish to purchase transplants. As with sowing seeds, keep in mind the best date to move your herbs into the garden based on their cold tolerance. As the North Carolina Cooperative Extension points out, many herbs originated in the Mediterranean region and don't like cold. Transplant these after the risk of frost.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/facts_7242751_time-plant-herb-garden.html

How to Make a Herb Garden

Nothing adds to a meal like the taste of fresh herbs. It is actually relatively easy to make your own successful herb garden at home for a fraction of the cost required to purchase fresh herbs at the store.

Things You'll Need
Small clay pots and trays
Potting soil
Herb plant seeds such as basil, dill, chives, cilantro, rosemary, thyme

Instructions

Growing Herbs in a Windowsill Garden

1. Place potting soil into each pot, filling it with soil about an inch from the top of the pot.

2. Dig a hole about an inch deep into the center of the soil in each pot.

3. Place several herb seeds into the hole. Cover the seeds with the displaced potting soil. Place the empty seed packets next to the pot in which you've planted the seeds so you'll remember which herb is planted in which pot.

4. Water each pot and ensure that the soil is thoroughly moist. Cover each pot with plastic wrap secured with a rubber band.

5. Place the pots on a windowsill that receives adequate sunlight. After the herb plants begin to sprout, remove the plastic wrap.

6. Monitor the soil and add water when the soil becomes dry.

7. Harvest leaves from your mature windowsill herb garden as you need them.

Growing Herbs in an Outdoor Garden

8. Choose a location in your garden to plant your herbs. Ideally, you want to choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight.

9. Decide whether you will grow your herb garden from seed or from pregrown plants.

10. Prepare the soil for gardening by fertilizing and tilling the ground. This action helps distribute nutrients in the soil.

11. Dig holes for each herb plant. If you are planting seeds, dig a hole about twice the size of the seed. If the seeds are tiny, press them into the soil. If you are planting herbs from seedlings, dig a hole twice as big as the root ball. Remove the seedling from its pot and place it into the hole. Fill in any remaining space in the hole with soil, gently patting it around the planted herb seedling. Generously water your herbs after planting them.

12. Monitor your herbs and water when needed. The best time to harvest your herbs is right before they bloom. Remove the necessary leaves and allow the plants to continue to grow. Your garden will provide fresh herbs throughout the summer season.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_4886121_make-herb-garden.html