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Would you like to grow abundant and healthy herbs?
When starting to produce your own herbs there are many aspects to consider like the kind of soil, the choice of herbs, growing from seeds or cuttings, how much water to use, etc. For those who do not like to buy books on gardening and do not want to bother the local nursery person here is a list of the most common questions that are regularly asked when starting an herb garden:

Which Herbs?
Herb gardening is going to be an enjoyable activity if you start seeing results from the beginning, therefore it is better to plant the three herbs that are easy to grow and require little attention. Mint is a ‘no fail’ herb as it stands a range of temperatures and dry or wet conditions, but be sure to grow it in pot in order to contain its sprawling tendency. Bush Basil is a kind of basil with small, hardy leaves that is very versatile for culinary uses from soups to salads and pasta. Chives is the third herb that easily grows either in container or in the outdoor herb garden and has the advantage of repelling flies and insects.

Seeds or Cuttings?
Annual herbs like oregano and marjoram are better grown from seeds for the reason that they can be sown in trays and kept indoors until the warm season is on its way. Cuttings should be taken from perennial herbs -like rosemary- that are healthy and abundant, that way the new herb will take on the qualities of the original plant.

Sun or Shade?
Most herbs thrive in a sunny position while some soft leave herbs like parsley and mint prefer some semi-shade and do well if planted in a garden with eastern exposure.

Any Soil for Herbs in Pots?
Generic garden soil is fine as long as the soil is of light consistency, it should crumble easily between the fingers and retain some level moisture when watered. Pour two cups of water into a 6″ pot filled with soil and watch. If the water does not drain out of the bottom of the pot this is an indication that the soil is too compact, if on the other hand the water flows quickly out of the container it will take the minerals out and in the long run deplete the herb of its nutrients. In both instances the simple and effective remedy is to mix two handfuls of organic matter or mushroom compost into the soil.

How Much Water?
Herbs that grow in a garden plot benefit from being watered twice weekly. Indoor herbs, on the other hand, require some water at least every second day and flourish when exposed to rainwater, so try to move your pots outside whenever it rains and your herbs will thrive.