How to grow an herb garden

Imagine stepping out your back door to pick some fresh cilantro to garnish a stirfry or plucking basil leaves from your yard to whip up a quick pesto for a pasta dish.

The "eat local" movement may have inspired you to check the origins of produce at the grocery store, but why not grow your own herbs this season? After all, you can't get more local than your own backyard.

Growing your own herbs means you can control what goes into the soil and use organic methods to fertilize and deal with pests. You may also notice a difference in flavour. "Herbs taste significantly better when you grow your own and use them fresh," says Douglas Green, author of Guide to Canadian Vegetable Gardening (Cool Springs Press, 2009). Besides their culinary appeal, herbs also have a multitude of health benefits, can be used in aromatherapy and are useful for craft projects - think lavender sachets or herbal teas.

If you think planting an herb garden is daunting, start with a just a couple of plants or a few pots of your favourites. Here's how to start a flavourful little plot.

Choosing your herbs
To simplify your selection of which herbs to grow, look at your spice rack or consider the fresh bunches you typically buy at the grocery store. If you cook a lot of Thai or Mexican dishes, you'll enjoy the taste of cilantro; for pasta sauce, you might opt for basil and oregano; and if you love to mix your own mojitos, you might want to plant a little mint -- careful, it's a spreader.

When starting from seed, look for heirloom and organic varieties for the most flavourful, eco-friendly choices.

Gardening tools
You don't need to buy lots of tools to tend to your herb garden. "All the fancy gizmos -- you don't need 'em," says Green who only carries two tools when he's out and about in the garden -- a Ho-Mi Digger from Lee Valley Tools and a pair of pruning shears.

"Most of the work that can be done in the garden can be done with your fingers," he advises. A trowel and a decent shovel for turning the earth can also be helpful and plant stakes will help you to remember what you've planted when your plants are still tiny.

Not sure where to put your herb garden? Click to continue to learn about strategic placement...

Page 1 of 2

Where to place your herb garden
Most of the common herbs such as dill, oregano and rosemary require full sun, but make sure you carefully read the instructions that come with your plant or seed packet before planting. The best place for your herb garden may be near the house, so you can dash out for a quick harvest while preparing your meals.

Green shares these seed-planting tips:
-If you give the plants what they want -- full sun, water, decent soil, your herbs will want to grow.
-Don't bury the seeds too deeply -- wrist-deep will suffice.
-Keep your seeds damp in a warm spot.

If you're planting in pots, buy a well-aerated soil and make sure you amend it with the nutrients your herbs would get if they were planted in the ground.