The herb garden: medicinal and culinary

In short

• The herb garden goes as close to the kitchen as possible, in a spot with at least 6 hours of sun.
• Split plants into three groups: Mediterranean (dry, lean, free-draining), moisture-loving (richer, damper) and annuals.
• For a family of four, 8–15 m² of herbs is enough; tea herbs for the whole winter need another 5–10 m².
• Plant mint and other spreaders in a sunken bottomless bucket or a bed of their own.
• Buy plants and seed by their Latin name, and keep poisonous ornamentals well away from tea herbs.

What's inside

Chapters

1. What a family needs, and how much
2. Where to put the herb garden
3. Three groups by their needs
4. Garden shapes: bed, spiral, containers
5. Layout and neighbours
6. Plants, seed and cuttings
7. Soil and preparing the bed
8. Planting and the first summer
9. Getting herbs through the winter
10. Herbs for bees and beneficial insects
11. A plan for the first three years
12. Common mistakes
13. Printable checklist

Worksheets

• Herb garden plan
• Plant and area calculator
• Plant list and shopping
• Herb garden calendar of jobs
• Herb garden diary
• Labels for beds and jars