If you are new to gardening, growing a herb garden is a great way to start. Herbs are generally easy to grow, useful for culinary and medicinal purposes, and look attractive as well. Most herbs can be grown from seed, sown in late spring. Few insects and diseases attack herbs - one reason they are so good for beginners.

Good drainage is vital for growing herbs. They won't grow in very wet soil. You will need to pick a sunny spot, which is sheltered from wind. Most herbs like Mediterranean conditions. If the soil is too clay, then you have to take steps to make it less heavy. You should prepare it well in advance of planting. One way is to dig over the soil in autumn, leaving clods to be broken down by frost over the winter, if you have that sort of climate. In early spring, dig plenty of compost into the soil. (This is also necessary with chalky, silty or sandy soil). The herbs should now grow well, with no further need of fertilization which, while increasing foliage, decreases flavor. The herbs can be protected during the winter months by mulch - straw, leaves, evergreen branches - which you can keep there until the herbs start growing again the following spring.

Grow whatever you like, having taken into account the size that the plant will grow to. Some herbs, like mint, spread fast and can take over the garden. The word for such plants is "invasive". So bear that in mind. Normally, for aesthetic reasons and to make them easier to pick, you would want the taller herbs at the back and lower ones in front. There are very many varieties of each herb, with varying fragrances and colors. You can choose an appealing selection with shades such as purple, pink, silver and just green.

Examples of herbs commonly grown are: mint; parsley; dill; thyme; marjoram; oregano; sage and chives. Each has medicinal properties as well as making food taste special. I'm concentrating on some of their medicinal purposes in the following:
All herbs contain plenty of vitamins and minerals. Mint is good for your digestion. Parsley is a good breath freshener. Dill (which is wonderful with potatoes and fish) grows rather tall and has traditionally been used as a preventative of constipation, while also being a cure for diarrhea. Thyme has a sedative effect, and is a good antispasmodic and expectorant, useful for coughs of various kinds. Marjoram, make into an ointment, is good for healing sores. Boiled in water and drunk, it cures toothache, cramps and convulsions. Oregano was much favored by the Aztecs. It is similar in effects to marjoram, but more potent. Not suitable for children and pregnant women. Sage, boiled in water, strengthens gums and helps keep teeth clean and white. Chives have high vitamins A and C and are antibiotic and antiseptic.

If you are short of garden space, herbs can easily be grown in containers outside, or hanging baskets or indoors. If growing herbs indoors, try to keep temperature fluctuation to a minimum, and avoid fumes from cooking. Kitchens can be an awkward location in this respect. Not all herbs grow so well indoors, but at least you can harvest them in the winter, unlike those outside. Basil is one that is difficult, while mint, parsley and rosemary don't mind lower light levels. Grow them by a sunny window (preferably southern exposure) but shelter from the most direct and hottest rays of sun. Some people use artificial lighting, but this is a use of electricity that is best avoided out of concern for adding to climate change.

Drainage is important just as with the herbs outdoors. A recommendation would be: in equal parts, potting soil, sand and humus. Water very lightly in the morning. Over-watering causes root rot fungus. Once a fortnight, in spring and summer you can use a small amount of weak (half normal strength) fertilizer. In the winter, once a month is sufficient. Allow some healthy air circulation, as herbs don't like stuffy houses any more than humans do.

Growing herbs is fun, inexpensive and livens up bland cooking.