| Your herb garden should be functional and attractive. | | | | conceivable type herb you can find. However, if |
| If you visit other people's gardens, it should help you | | | | space is limited, the garden may be limited to a |
| with your own herb garden designs. There are | | | | handful of varieties. The wonderful thing about herbs |
| several important things to decide before you plant | | | | is the limited number of plants you will typically need |
| your first herb. | | | | for any one item. |
| Research the plants you are thinking of planting. This | | | | How will your garden relate to other landscape |
| will help you understand what types of pests you | | | | features in your yard? Can you plant your herbs in |
| may be attracting to your garden. Each plant's | | | | partial shade due to existing trees and plants? What |
| susceptibility to stagnation and decay when it is | | | | existing landscape features, if any, are you willing to |
| transplanted should be another concern. | | | | change to accommodate your new garden? Will |
| You must determine what you hope to accomplish | | | | some of the plants you want to use be a stark |
| with your design. Do you want herbs primarily for | | | | contrast to plants that are already there? Are some |
| medicinal reasons, or are you planting them for | | | | herbs incompatible with your existing plants? |
| seasonings in your food? You can grow herbs of | | | | Where you plant may be dictated in part by the |
| both types, but you will need to plan your garden | | | | herbs you have chosen. Although some herbs can be |
| design accordingly. | | | | grown in shady areas, some require full sun. Some |
| How much produce do you need to harvest from | | | | herbs bush into plants and pretty much stay where |
| the garden? Is the beauty of the garden more | | | | you put them, while others shoot out runners and |
| important than the actual produce it yields? The | | | | want to go everywhere. Keep in mind how the |
| answers to these questions are determined by your | | | | garden will change after you've planted it. Decide |
| interests, and you should design your garden with | | | | what changes you are willing to allow. |
| these answers in mind rather than simply duplicating | | | | Don't be afraid to alter the garden after you plant it. |
| another garden design you have seen. | | | | After your original plan is implemented, things may |
| The herb gardens of centuries past were designed | | | | transpire later that make that plan obsolete, or at |
| for the necessary functions of life. The garden | | | | least not in your best interests. You can relocate |
| yielded plants for medicines, seasonings, and dyes. | | | | plants or have them removed if your interests |
| These gardens were sometimes community gardens, | | | | change. |
| and had to cater to several families. Those designs | | | | Freely use your imagination when designing your herb |
| might be different than yours, especially if you just | | | | garden. There is no right or wrong place to put your |
| want the garden for the blooms and fragrances. | | | | herbs, as long as they get enough water, required |
| The amount of space you have to dedicate to the | | | | sunlight, and proper drainage. Your herb garden |
| garden will have an effect on the design. If you have | | | | designs should be your own and not mandated by |
| plenty of space, you may choose to have every | | | | the wants and needs of someone else. |