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Herbs - Rosemary.jpeg

Herbs

Herbs represent the highest-value gardening real estate. A few square feet of well-managed herb production supplies year-round seasoning, natural remedies, and essential oil extraction materials while requiring minimal space and inputs.

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Herb production combines immediate gratification with long-term investment. Annual herbs like basil and cilantro provide quick returns and teach succession planting principles. Perennial herbs like rosemary and oregano establish permanent flavor and fragrance systems that improve with age.

Herbs:
Concentrated Value in Small Spaces

PERENNIAL HERBS

OREGANO (Origanum vulgare)

  • Plant: March-April or September-October

  • Spacing: 12-15 inches apart

  • Soil: pH 6.0-8.0, well-drained, lean soil

  • Water: Drought tolerant, moderate water

  • Fertilization: March, September (light)

  • Harvest: Continuous once established, April-August

  • Pruning: Cut back after flowering

  • Essential Oil: Peak content just before flowering

  • Care: Division every 3-4 years

ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis)

  • Plant: March-April or October-November

  • Spacing: 3-4 feet apart (mature size consideration)

  • Soil: pH 6.0-7.0, well-drained, lean soil

  • Water: Very drought tolerant once established

  • Fertilization: March (light)

  • Harvest: Year-round harvesting possible

  • Pruning: Light pruning after flowering

  • Essential Oil: Peak content summer months, morning harvest

  • Winter: Hardy in Zone 8B, protect from hard freezes

THYME (Thymus vulgaris)

  • Plant: March-April or September-October

  • Spacing: 8-12 inches apart

  • Soil: pH 6.0-8.0, poor to moderate, sandy preferred

  • Water: Very drought tolerant

  • Harvest: Continuous small harvests, before flowering

  • Pruning: Light pruning after flowering

  • Essential Oil: Suitable for home extraction

  • Care: Evergreen, very cold hardy

ANNUAL HERBS

BASIL (Ocimum basilicum)

  • Plant: March, September

  • Spacing: 12-18 inches apart

  • Soil: pH 6.0-7.0, rich, well-drained

  • Water: Consistent moisture, avoid overhead watering

  • Temperature: 70-85°F optimal, very frost sensitive

  • Harvest: 60-90 days, continuous May-September

  • Care: Pinch flowers, regular harvest, companion with tomatoes

  • Essential Oil: Best harvest morning after dew dries

CILANTRO (Coriandrum sativum)

  • Plant: January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December

  • Spacing: 4-6 inches apart

  • Soil: pH 6.0-7.0, well-drained, moderate fertility

  • Water: Consistent moisture, cool conditions

  • Temperature: 50-75°F optimal, bolts in heat

  • Harvest: 30-50 days, succession plant every 2 weeks

  • Care: Cool weather crop, harvest frequently

PARSLEY (Petroselinum crispum)

  • Plant: January, February, March, August, September

  • Spacing: 6-8 inches apart

  • Soil: pH 6.0-7.0, rich, moist, well-drained

  • Water: Consistent moisture

  • Harvest: 70-90 days, cut outer stems first

  • Germination: 3-4 weeks (slow)

  • Care: Biennial, may overwinter

DILL (Anethum graveolens)

  • Plant: January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October

  • Spacing: 12 inches apart

  • Soil: pH 5.8-6.5, well-drained, fertile

  • Harvest: 40-60 days (leaves), seeds when dry

Care: Self-seeds readily, succession plant every 2-3 weeks

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