Herbs in general need well drained soil and full sun but will thrive on as little as 6 hours of sunlight per day. Before planting, make sure you work compost into your soil.
Aloe – Aloe spp
Can be grown outdoors for the summer but must be brought indoors for the cooler months. Can be kept indoors all year round. Prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. Aloes like a fertile soil, and good drainage is important or the aloe can rot. Infrequent watering except when growing in full sun, it may need a little extra watering. In the winter months let the soil dry completely between watering. To harvest: cut off the outer leaves first. New leaves grow in the center of the plant.
Chamomile – Chamaemelum nobile
Full sun to partial shade. Well drained soil. Keep the soil evenly moist for best growth. To harvest: harvest the flowers when the petals begin to turn back on the disk. Dry the flowers on screens in a shady, airy place.
Propagation List for Common Herbs
Anise – Pimpinella anisum
Culture: Thrives in full sun, prefers well drained soil but can tolerate dry soil. Protect from strong winds and keep weed free.
To harvest: Snip outer leaves as needed.
Propagation: Seeds: Cut the whole seed heads after they have ripened but before they break open.
Alpine Strawberry
Divide runners in the spring
Basil – Ocimum basilicum
Culture: Full sun, rich moist well drained soil. Pinch off stem tips to promote leaf production.
To harvest: snip off stem tips or leaves as needed.
Propagation: Plant seeds in spring- or cuttings.
Bay – Laurus noblis
Culture: Full sun but can tolerate light shade. Moderate rich well drained soil.
To harvest: pinch off the dark green leaves as needed.
Propagation: Seeds or Cuttings in autumn. Take a cutting and remove all but the top 2 -3 leaves, dip stems in rooting hormone and plant them in damp vermiculite. Cover both pot and plant in a plastic bag and keep it in a warm, shady spot until cuttings root.
Bergamont – Monarda didyma
Seeds or division.
Borage – Borago officinalis
Seed or division.
Propagation List for Common Herbs
Chives -Allium schoenoprasum
Sow seeds, divide bulblets in winter-spring
Coriander- Coriandrum sativum
Sow seeds spring-summer
Dill – Anethum graveolens
Sow seeds spring-summer, in a greenhouse or warm room.
Fennel – Foeniculum vulgare
Sow seeds or divide offsets, spring-summer, keep warm.
Lavender – Lavandula spp
Cuttings in Autumn, Sow seeds in spring
Majoram – Origanum majorana
Divide roots in spring-summer, Cuttings in Autumn
Mint – Mentha spp
Divide roots in late winter, spring. Cuttings in summer.
Parsley – Petroselinum spp
Sow seeds any time of year.
Rosemary – Rosmarinus officinalis
Cuttings in spring, summer, autumn
Savory – Satureja spp
Sow seeds in spring
Sage – Salvia officinalis
Divide roots in spring, Cuttings in summer.
Sorrel – Rumex acetosa
Divide roots in spring, Sow seeds in summer.
Thyme – Thymus
Divide roots, Cuttings or sow seeds in late winter, spring, summer and autumn.
Woodruff – Asperula odorata
Divide roots in summer.
The Author:
Claudia Sutton and her family own and operate Forget-me-Not Herbs ‘n Wildflowers, a greenhouse operation growing annuals, perennials and 250 varieties of aromatic, medicinal and decorative potted herbs. Aromatherapy is a growing interest for Claudia as she nears completion of her training as a Certified Aromatherapist. Visit their web site Forget-me-Not Herbs ‘n Wildflowers (http://www.achilles.net/forgetmenot/) to visit their gardens and learn more about aromatherapy!
Photo. PT