Eckert’s Gardening Tips:
Growing and Using Herbs

Herbs are very easy plants to grow! Most herbs are tolerant of a variety of soils and growing situations.

Light Requirements

Most of herbs prefer 6-8 hours of sun.

Soil

Herbs like soil with good drainage (mix sand with your soil if you have clay-like soil). Highly fertile or rich soil is not necessary.

Fertilizer

The aroma (oils) of the herb is more intense if the plant is NOT fertilized.

Harvest

To harvest herb greens, cut the plant back about way (usually first harvest is in June). This will induce new growth for a second harvest. (Less can be cut if you only need a few sprigs.)

Selection

When shopping for herbs, gently rub the leaves of an herb and smell your fingers. This will give you a general idea of its aroma. See lists below for herb specifics.

Where to Plant

Plant in pots, in an herb garden or simply mix them in with shrubs and flowers as accent plants. Be sure to plant them near your kitchen or home for easy access.

Watering

Herbs in pots need to be watered when the soil feels dry to the touch. Herbs in the ground should receive 1- 1 inches of water per week. This can be applied by a sprinkler or by Mother Nature (rain).

Herbs for Tea

• Mint
• Chamomile
• Lemon Balm
• Sage

Herbs for Clay Soils

• Chives
• Fennel
• Nasturium
• Lemon Balm
• Mint
• Sage

Herbs with flowers

• Lavender
• Nasturtium
• Borage
• Thyme

Herbs that come back (perennials)

• Chives
• Thyme
• Mint
• Lemon balm
• Sage
• St. John’s wort

Herbs for a windowsill

• Thyme
• Parsley
• Chives
• Savory
• Marjoram

How to Dry Herbs

1. Snip herb stems. Be sure to leave at least 1/2 of the plant in tact if you want to continue to harvest throughout the season.

2. Bundle the ends of the stems with a rubber band. Invert the stems inside a paper bag. Place a rubber band around the outside of the open end of the paper bag and over the ends of the stems inside the bag.

3. Rest the bag in a dark, dry place for 3-4 weeks.

How to Freeze Herbs

1. Cut small pieces of the leaves or stems.

2. Fill an ice cube tray with water.

3. Place herb cuttings in each cube.

4. Freeze

5. Thaw before using and pat dry very gently.