Not so long ago, herbs were used exclusively to cure ailments and diseases, dyeing textiles, making perfumes and curing and keeping meat before the advent of refrigerators. Since herbs have become readily available at supermarkets, the practice of growing them at home sharply declined.

Interest in growing herbs at home has dramatically increased in recent years with the publishing of great cookbooks and spotlights on cooking programs and star chefs on television.

Growing herbs at home is much more economical than buying them in the grocery store or supermarket. Fresh herbs provide a distinctive taste and their versatility allows them to be grown in-ground or containers, outside or inside. However, they generally grow much better when they receive adequate amounts of sunlight.

• Light - Most herbs are relatively easy to grow; however, they generally do better in a sunny location. Many herbs will tolerate shaded areas, but the quality will not be the best. Herbs will grow best inside if a lamp is used.
• Soil - Optimal soil for growning herbs should be neutral—with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. If the soil is highly fertile, the plant will produce foliage that is of poor quality in taste.
• Drainage - Herbs thrive in soil that has adequate drainage and will not grow well in wet soil.

Soil Preparation

• If you are planting them in containers, use organic soil as your potting mix.
• If you are planting herbs in the ground, select a site and and cultivate the area approximately twelve inches in depth. Add an organic mix and cultivate the area once more before planting seeds or seedlings.

Propagation Methods

• Seeds - Many herbs are easy grown from seeds. If space allows, start seeds indoors late in the cold season to get a head-start before transferring them outside.
• Cutting - Some herbs that have already been established can be transplanted simply by cutting off a piece of the plant and re-potting it.
• Division - If a plant is well established and is two to four years old, dividing the plant is a healthy way to care for the older plant while getting a new plant in return.

Harvesting

Depending on what type of herb you have planted, harvesting may involve picking the flowers, leaves, roots or seeds. Dried herbs deteriorate in quality after two to three years. It would be best to discard any unused herbs after that time.

Growing herbs at home is very easy and also saves money while giving you the opportunity to enjoy great tasting food at a fraction of what it would cost at the market to purchase.