• In Your Garden

In Your Garden

Tasting the fresh rewards of an herb garden is a great way to experience springtime and ward off the winter blues. Use these tips and try your hand at growing herbs in your own indoor and/or outdoor garden.

Growing an Indoor Herb Garden

Just because there's a chill in the air doesn't mean you can't enjoy the satisfaction of starting an indoor herb garden. All you need is a sunny spot that will provide your plants with at least five hours of sun each day, preferably from a southern or western exposure.

The easiest way to start an herb garden is with seeds. Your pots should provide good drainage and have a 6" diameter at the top to protect small plants while allowing room for growth. Simply fill your pots with regular potting soil, and push the seeds into the soil (the depth should be specified on the seed packet). Keep the soil damp by misting it with water—but make sure it doesn't get soaked. Soon you'll see sprouts, and in no time at all your herbs will be ready for picking. The more you cut your plants, the more they'll grow!

Growing Herbs Outside

Growing herbs outside is similar to growing them indoors-they need plenty of sun and soil that drains well. Avoid letting your plants sit in soaked soil, but be sure to water them well if they go four to five days without rain. You can plant seeds directly in the ground after the last frost, or start seeds inside during winter and transplant the seedlings when spring arrives.

Once you've decided which herbs to plant (is your garden for "show and smell," or will you use the herbs for cooking?), determine how much room you need for each plant. Some herbs, like mint, can take over a garden and are better planted in pots. Individual 12" x 18" plots should be adequate to separate most herbs.

With a little care and plenty of fresh air, you'll soon be enjoying the delicious and healthful benefits of freshly cut herbs!

Helping Community Gardens

In the spirit of herb education and gardening, Celestial Seasonings is donating $5,000 to five community gardens to help build and maintain herb gardens and educate their communities about the health and wellness benefits of herbs. These gardening associations share many Celestial Seasonings core values such as environmental stewardship and promoting health and wellness.

Learn more about the gardening organizations we are supporting: