I had a bunch of scattered herbs across my yard and last year we finally moved them to a centralized location to create an herb garden. The kids call it the “smelly garden” but in a good way!
I had lemon balm and catnip all over the place, moved it last year, and it is very very very happy this year and is really bushing out. Same with the peppermint we got last year. We already harvested a ton and I’m sure it will grow back super fast. Whenever I harvest a bunch, I will usually take a sprig and drop it in water to root just in case - new plant!
I am also growing lavender, I think it’s a French lavender but could be wrong. I’ve never had good luck with lavender, not sure why. I try to keep it as dry as possible without obviously drying it out and I don’t mulch it. I put it in a grow bag this year, hoping that helps.
Another problem herb for me is Dill. It always turns yellow and just dies back eventually. Is it true that Dill actually likes slightly acidic soil? I have it in neutral soil.
Anyway, we are growing a ton of herbs this year and it’s a lot of fun. I always recommend the easy ones for first time gardeners since a lot of them grow like weeds. It’s an easy way to be successful and not get discouraged!
Interesting, I wonder if it’s just a combo of poor practice with Dill, to be honest I didn’t realize that it might rather be direct sowed and also likes cooler weather. Ha, maybe a quick Google before planting would help in the future.
My dill does fine in the heat. It just needs regular water. I’ve also never had issues with transplanting them. If its hot and not rainy, its probably just thirsty.
I went to the school of try, fail and then try to figure out what you did wrong. It’s frustrating. I always try to research in advance now, yet there’s always something I’ll forget!
got a photo of the “kitchen grab” herb patch yesterday. it’s right by the porch and has parsley, lovage, thyme, sage, oregano, tarragon, and some basils all massed together. when I’m cooking this is easy to run out and grab a handful of something from.
I’ve got other stuff all over the garden mixed in, usually that’s what i pick in bunches and dry out. this stuff is for fresh cooking. labeled a bit for my stepson to know what he’s grabbing at if he cooks or gets sent out for something.
I am going for a kitchen grab patch as well. Not as contained as yours @resonanteye!
I dried some peppermint over the past couple weeks and finally got it in a jar and made a tea last night with a bit of honey. So lovely. Definitely think it helped me sleep well.
In other news, RIP my dill… I am going to keep trying.
Really cool observation, I have a pretty large spread out catnip bush and literally whenever I look at it I see at least 4 bees on the flowers. I have never seen anything in my garden attract bees like that. I might try and get some propagations in pots and spread it around the orchard and veggie garden. I’ve tried catnip tea, not too bad hard to beat peppermint, lavender and lemon balm.
i have tons of chocolate mint and lemon balm. i let them grow wild on one side of my steep ditch near the road. i harvest and dry them in mid spring with some fresh green rasp. and blackberry leaves. the combo makes great tea. was never a fan until a older friend from church gave me some. now i drink it all the time and add some to my sun iced tea.
