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