ALABAMA A&M AND AUBURN UNIVERSITIES Growing Herbs ANR-1164 hether you Basic Herb Culture pronounce it ‘erbs or Determining Where to herbs, this group of plants has historically Plant Herbs been one of the most Herbs are among the easiest plants to popular to grow and continues to experience grow when given the appropriate Wa surge in popularity in the home garden and environment. Gardeners should choose a landscape. Why not? Herbs are among the planting site where herbs will thrive easiest plants to grow! rather than just survive. Herbs are Throughout time, many cultures have adaptable to a wide range of soil and grown herbs primarily for their culinary growing conditions; however, many do not and medicinal uses. Today, herbs are grow well in poorly drained soil and will often classified according to their use as quickly die in a wet site. either culinary, medicinal, aromatic, Herbs vary in their native origin, from ornamental, or household/industrial. In the Mediterranean region to Europe addition to the utilitarian uses, herbs make and Asia; therefore, consider the interesting and beautiful landscape plants, plant’s native habitat when whether they are used formally in an determining a planting site. Most herb garden or informally mixed annual and perennial herbs grow best into gardens with vegetables or in full sun, generally 6 to 8 hours a added to a mixed border of day (see Table 2 for exceptions). annuals, perennials, shrubs, and Herbs preferring a cooler climate trees. Herb flowers and foliage provide than Alabama’s may simply have a a beautiful palette of color and variation Yarrow shorter growing season Achillea in texture and form. Herbs add an millefolium here than in other areas. element of excitement to landscaping that Some examples are no other group of plants do—they evoke the cilantro, dill, anise, and senses of taste, smell, and touch. other members of the As a group of plants, herbs can be Umbelliferae family. difficult to define. From a botanical definition, There are some special challenges an herb is herbaceous—that is, it does not to growing herbs in Alabama, including the heat, humidity, and heavy clay soils. If form woody tissue. Most gardeners, however, you want to grow herbs that don’t grow take a broader view of plants grown as herbs well in our long, hot days, provide plants and include plants that have roots, stems, with partial or filtered afternoon shade. leaves, flowers, or fruits valued for their Space herb plants far enough apart so they culinary, medicinal, aromatic,ARCHIVE household, or get good air circulation and light. Crowded ornamental uses. This definition encompasses plants do not dry quickly and may develop plants that have woody stems, such as disease problems. Plants particularly cultivated varieties (cultivars) of rosemary, susceptible are gray plants with fuzzy, thyme, and lavender, as well as some shrubs, pubescent leaves, such as lamb’s ear, trees, and vines. Thousands of herb plants are artemisia, sages, and others. available on the market today, some of which have many cultivars. Common Chives Allium Schoenoprasum www.aces.edu Because herbs must have well-drained soil to Transplanting survive, Alabama’s heavy clay soils should be You may want to start seeds that are expensive amended with compost, peat, or other organic or have a long germination period in a greenhouse amendments to improve drainage and air space for or a controlled environment indoors. Plant the root growth. Raised beds and containers are seeds in mid- to late winter. Start the herbs in small excellent environments for drainage. Regions of the containers such as peat pots, jiffy peat pellets, cell state with sandy soils grow herbs easily. packs, or other containers designed for growing Preparing the Soil transplants. You can also use Styrofoam or cardboard cups or containers, but be sure to Herbs are tolerant of many soil types punch holes in the bottoms for drainage. but grow best in a neutral (6 to 7 pH), Start by selecting a sterile, soilless growing loamy soil amended with organic matter. medium of peat mixed with perlite or Perform a soil test to determine soil vermiculite. Make sure it is well drained pH and nutritional needs. Soil testing to reduce the chances of seedling information and supplies are disease problems yet able to hold available from your county needed moisture. Make sure the Extension office. seeds and seedlings get Incorporate organic matter and any adequate light, either needed lime as you break up the soil. artificial or window light Adding peat moss or any type of (but not full sun), and a composted organic matter will increase controlled temperature between 60 and soil aeration and aid drainage. After 70 degrees F. Label the plants with their name thoroughly incorporating organic and the planting date. Water the containers, material, rake the soil to remove and allow them to drain completely. rocks, weeds, or plant debris. After the chance of frost has passed but before setting the plants Planting Herbs out, harden off the young Direct Seeding transplants by reducing the Some herbs benefit from amounts of water and fertilizer. being directly seeded into Move the transplants outside to prepared garden soil. Members a shaded area, and each day, of the Umbelliferae family (dill, gradually expose them to a little more cilantro/coriander, chervil, sunlight, wind, and normal outdoor parsley, fennel, and anise) conditions. When the plants seem strong readily reseed themselves each and healthy enough, transplant them to prepared beds or a garden. Tamp the year. Most perennial herbs, if Purple Coneflower direct-seeded, grow slowly at Echinacea purrpurea soil and water the plants, making sure the plants first.I n Alabama, perennials grow are not deeper than in their original containers. best when planted in the garden as Other Methods of Propagating Herbs transplants during the fall. This allows the plants to If plant parts are obtained during the right establish roots before putting on new vegetative season, they will respond well to and can be growth the next year. produced faster through vegetative propagation. When direct-seeding, sow seeds in garden These methods include dividing, taking stem and furrows late March to early April or after the chance root cuttings, and layering. of frost has passed. Cover the seeds lightly with a shallow sprinkling of soil, or, as a rule of thumb, Dividing cover them no deeper than twice the seed ARCHIVEHerbs that are easily divided include chives, diameter. Firmly tamp the soil for good seed-to-soil oregano, yarrow, mints, and other plants that contact, and water using a fine mist or spray to spread by clumps or stolons (runners). During the avoid washing the seeds away. As the seedlings winter months, when the plants begin dormancy, germinate and develop their true seed leaves, thin use a trowel or knife to pull apart or separate the the plants to approximately 1 to 2 inches to avoid plants into clumps. Before using this method of spindly plants that crowd one another. propagation, however, remember that some herbs that spread by stolons can be invasive if they are not grown in a contained area. 2 Alabama Cooperative Extension System Taking Stem Cuttings Layering Some herbs can be propagated Herbs respond well to layering, which occurs from stem cuttings at naturally for some plants. To layer plants, place a several times during rock on top of a branch, or dig a trench and the year (Table 1). In mound the soil over part of a branch. Roots will the spring, take form at the nodes having soil contact. This part can softwood cuttings by then be removed from the parent plant. pruning back new shoot growth after Buying Herb Plants it hardens If you don’t want to propagate your own slightly, and herb plants, you can, of course, buy them. in the Even the most inexperienced gardener summer, take can learn how to select healthy herb them after plants. Follow these tips when selecting flowering an herb plant. when the new flush • Choose a good, sturdy plant that is not in of summer the seedling stage but is well developed growth has strengthened. For for the size container in which it is softwood cuttings, use a sharp growing. knife or pruning shears, and take • Take the plant out of its container and 2- to 4-inch cuttings, removing a inspect its roots. They should be white few leaves from the bottom third and should fill the container but not be of the stem. Take 4- to 6-inch a solid mass, or root bound. Root semihardwood cuttings in the fall, Marsh Mallow bound plants have a difficult time and take 6- to 12-inch hardwood Althaea officinalis recovering from this stunted period. cuttings during the dormant season • Check the leaves for any insects or or in midwinter. disease problems. Place cuttings in a propagation bed under mist Remember, the best plant is not always the or in a container that can be covered and treated largest one. Wormwood like a greenhouse environment. Use a soilless peat Artemisia and perlite or vermiculite medium that contains a Caring for and wetting agent or is well moistened. Dip the ends of Maintaining Herbs the stems into a rooting powder. Insert about one- third of this bottom end into the potting medium. Fertilizing Firm the medium gently to ensure contact. Make Herbs require minimal sure the cuttings are shaded and misted each day fertilization. In fact, herbs to avoid wilting until roots form. often suffer from overwatering and overfertilizing rather than Table 1. Herbs That Can Be Propagated from Stem from not enough.