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Herb Planting Calendar: Planting and Growing Herbs | The Old Farmer's Almanac

Herb Growing Guide: How to Grow Herbs

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Learn When to Plant and How to Grow Common Herbs!

February 24, 2022
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Growing herbs is not difficult to do! Our helpful chart will take you from seed-starting to the kitchen table.

Herb Planting Calendar & Growing Guide

Herbs are a great addition to the garden. Not only do they complement your home-grown veggies in the kitchen, they also make for excellent companion plants in the garden itself. 

Click here to open an expanded version of this chart in a new tab: Growing Guide to Herbs

For more planting and growing advice for a specific herb, see our library of Herb Growing Guides!

How to Grow Herbs

Herb

 Start Seeds Indoors (Weeks before last spring frost) Start Seeds: Outdoors (Weeks before / after last spring frost) Height / Spread (Inches)

Soil

 Light** Growth Type
Basil* 6–8 Anytime after 12–24/12 Rich, moist   Annual
Borage* NR ‡ Anytime after 12–36/12 Rich, well-drained, dry   Annual, biennial
Chervil NR ‡ 3–4 before 12–24/8 Rich, moist   Annual, biennial
Chives 8–10 3–4 before 12–18/18 Rich, moist   Perennial
Cilantro / Coriander NR ‡ Anytime after 12–36/6 Light   Annual
Dill NR ‡ 4–5 before 36–48/12 Rich   Annual
Fennel 4–6 Anytime after 48–80/18 Rich   Annual
Lavender, English* 8–12 1–2 before 18–36/24 Moderately fertile, well-drained   Perennial
Lavender, French NR ‡ NR ‡ 18–36/24 Moderately fertile, well-drained   Tender perennial
Lemon Balm* 6–10 2–3 before 12–24/18 Rich, well-drained   Perennial
Lovage* 6–8 2–3 before 36–72/36 Fertile, sandy   Perennial
Mint NR ‡ NR ‡ 12–24/18 Rich, moist   Perennial

Oregano*

6–10 Anytime after 12–24/18 Poor   Tender perennial

Parsley*

10–12 3–4 before 18–24/6–8 Medium-rich   Biennial

Rosemary*

8–10 Anytime after 48–72/48 Not too acid   Tender perennial

Sage

6–10 1–2 before 12–48/30 Well-drained   Perennial

Sorrel

6–10 2–3 after 20–48/12–14 Rich, organic   Perennial
Summer savory 4–6 Anytime after 4–15/6 Medium rich   Annual
Sweet cicely 6–8 2–3 after 36–72/36 Moderately fertile, well-drained   Perennial
Tarragon, French NR ‡ NR ‡ 24–36/12 Well-drained   Perennial
Thyme, common* 6–10 2–3 before 2–12/7–12 Fertile, well-drained   Perennial
*Recommend minimum soil temperature of 70°F to germinate
** full sun partial shade
‡ Not Recommended

Click here to open an expanded version of this chart in a new tab: Growing Guide to Herbs

Do you grow your own herbs? Leave your tips in the comments below!

Gardening Help
Planting a Garden
Herbs

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Comments

zeeshan (not verified)

1 year 6 months ago

good knowledge about herbs
i have written an article about herbs health benefits.please visit it too

Tina (not verified)

6 years 4 months ago

it is so small and if you try to enlarge it, the image becomes blurry.

m.art (not verified)

7 years 9 months ago

hey there im trying to propagate rosemary in water. but the tips of the leave s leep on curling up and going black, then i got this reply from another herb site
"Sorry for the delay in response. You cannot root rosemary in water, as the oxygen content is too high. The only herb that roots well in water is mint. Rosemary cuttings have to be rooted in a special cutting medium with sand, perlite, and peat moss. They have to be kept misted in indirect sun to root properly. It is not an herb that roots easily"
which is correct thanks 

I know for a fact you CAN root Rosemary in water because I've done it. Are you cutting off a big enough piece?

Every June (in zone 5 Illinois) I root Rosemary in water. Cut some 8" branches- strip 3" of leaves and put in a container of 3" deep rainwater. Leave in dappled sunlight (under a tree). In a few weeks they will have plenty of roots. Remember to change the rainwater so that you don't grow mosquitoes.
I have also grow them in soil. Again cut some 8" branches- strip 3" of leaves -then sprinkle with rooting powder. Poke 3" holes with a pencil -in your potting soil in the container of your choice. Important - Carefully place the rosemary cutting in the hole then push the soil from the side to secure the cutting. The idea is to not rub off the rooting powder.
I am not sure why your cuttings turn black - it has happened to me a few times. I would guess it was too humid or too cold. Please try again this summer!