Herb Planting Calendar: Planting and Growing Herbs
Growing herbs is not difficult to do! Our helpful chart will take you from seed-starting to the kitchen table. There are many herbs that you can grow.
Herbs are a great addition to the garden. Not only do they complement your home-grown veggies in the kitchen, they also make for a great addition to your herb garden. Some herbs are perennials, returning year after year. Others are annuals, so you will have to replant them every year. Some herbs grow from seed, while others are better grown from cuttings or division. No matter what type of herb you are growing, you will need to give it the right conditions to thrive.
How to Grow Herbs
Growing herbs is not difficult to do! Our helpful chart will take you from seed-starting to the kitchen table.
Herb Planting Calendar & Growing Guide
Herbs are a great addition to the garden. Not only do they complement your home-grown veggies in the kitchen, they also make for excellent companion plants in the garden itself.
| Herb | Start Seeds Indoors (weeks before last spring frost) | Start Seeds Outdoors (weeks before / after last spring frost) | Height / Spread (inches) | Soil | Light** | Growth Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil* | 6–8 | Anytime after | 12–24/12 | Rich, moist | Annual | |
| Borage* | NR ‡ | Anytime after | 12–36/12 | Rich, well-drained, dry | Annual, biennial | |
| Chervil | NR ‡ | 3–4 before | 12–24/8 | Rich, moist | Annual, biennial | |
| Chives | 8–10 | 3–4 before | 12–18/18 | Rich, moist | Perennial | |
| Cilantro / Coriander | NR ‡ | Anytime after | 12–36/6 | Light | Annual | |
| Dill | NR ‡ | 4–5 before | 36–48/12 | Rich | Annual | |
| Fennel | 4–6 | Anytime after | 48–80/18 | Rich | Annual | |
| Lavender, English* | 8–12 | 1–2 before | 18–36/24 | Moderately fertile, well-drained | Perennial | |
| Lavender, French | NR ‡ | NR ‡ | 18–36/24 | Moderately fertile, well-drained | Tender perennial | |
| Lemon Balm* | 6–10 | 2–3 before | 12–24/18 | Rich, well-drained | Perennial | |
| Lovage* | 6–8 | 2–3 before | 36–72/36 | Fertile, sandy | Perennial | |
| Mint | NR ‡ | NR ‡ | 12–24/18 | Rich, moist | Perennial | |
| Oregano* | 6–10 | Anytime after | 12–24/18 | Poor | Tender perennial | |
| Parsley* | 10–12 | 3–4 before | 18–24/6–8 | Medium-rich | Biennial | |
| Rosemary* | 8–10 | Anytime after | 48–72/48 | Not too acid | Tender perennial | |
| Sage | 6–10 | 1–2 before | 12–48/30 | Well-drained | Perennial | |
| Sorrel | 6–10 | 2–3 after | 20–48/12–14 | Rich, organic | Perennial | |
| Summer savory | 4–6 | Anytime after | 4–15/6 | Medium rich | Annual | |
| Sweet cicely | 6–8 | 2–3 after | 36–72/36 | Moderately fertile, well-drained | Perennial | |
| Tarragon, French | NR ‡ | NR ‡ | 24–36/12 | Well-drained | Perennial | |
| Thyme, common* | 6–10 | 2–3 before | 2–12/7–12 | Fertile, well-drained | Perennial |
*Recommend minimum soil temperature of 70°F to germinate
** full sun / partial shade
‡ Not Recommended
Do you grow your own herbs? Leave your tips in the comments below!
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