for Eastern & Midwestern Regions:

Raised bed planting is a great way to grow just about any edible, especially herbs! Why herbs, you ask? Because most herbs prefer the excellent drainage that a raised garden bed provides.

Growing herbs may very well be one of gardening’s most gratifying experiences! Most herbs are simple to grow, excellent for the beginner gardener as well as for those with a passion for cooking. Herbs have a multitude of other uses, besides culinary, that include aromatic, ornamental, and medicinal. Because of their beauty and versatility, herbs may be planted in a mixed bed with vegetables or in a raised garden bed dedicated strictly to their kind.

Herb Growing Tips

1. Choose a full sun location for your raised herb garden. Some herbs will grow in a shadier location, but, as a general rule of thumb, full sun will produce the healthiest plants. For easy access when cooking, select a spot for your herb garden that is near the kitchen.
2. As with all edibles, soil fertility is important. We suggest filling your raised herb bed with Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder for outstanding soil nutrition and friability. This soil is blended to meet the unique needs of your specific growing region.
3. Excellent soil drainage is particularly important when growing herbs. This is another reason to be sure to plant them using only the best soil, like Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder, while also being careful to not overwater your herbs. Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder is created to be perfectly balanced for both water holding capabilities and drainage.
4. Know the ultimate size of your herbs, both height and width, to help you plan your spacing at planting time. This information will also assist you in placing taller herbs behind shorter ones to ensure easy garden access and to reduce plant shading, permitting the sunlight to reach all your herbs.
5. It is important to water potted herbs before planting. Once watered, remove plants from their pots and loosen roots to stimulate new root growth. Place herbs in their planting hole at the same soil depth at which they were planted in the pot. Gently firm the soil around each plant.
6. Side dress your newly planted herbs with Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® All Purpose Food and water carefully.

A Message about Mints

It’s important to note that mints have a tendency to be invasive and may take over an entire herb garden. An excellent idea is to sink the pot of this rather aggressive herb directly into the garden, set the pot high to keep the mint from climbing over the lip and into the raised bed. Another and even better idea, is to plant your mint in a separate container garden where it cannot take over other less aggressive plants.

Harvesting

Fresh herb leaves are ready to be harvested as soon as there is enough foliage to maintain the plant. Try to harvest in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the sun becomes too hot, using a clean, sharp knife or scissors to make each cut. It is a good idea to harvest only what you plan to use at the time of cutting, as herbs do not store well in the refrigerator. With most herbs, it is beneficial to harvest before the plants go to flower, as the taste is better at this stage of growth. Rinse with cold water and pat dry before using.

Herbs are exceptionally versatile, used fresh, frozen, or even dried in salads, sauces, soups, pastas, teas, and baked goods. They may be enjoyed for their beauty, fragrance, and their purposefulness in natural medicine. The best part is that all herbs are delightfully easy to grow in a sunny raised bed using Master Nursery® Bumper Crop® Soil Builder and All Purpose Food. What herbs will you grow this Spring?