Whether you say herbs with the "h" or leave the "h" silent, May is a good time to plant just about any herb, whether direct seeding them in the garden or in a container on the patio.
That means April is a good time to start planning your herb garden. Missouri has a long enough growing season that you can plant herbs all the way into June and you will still have a nice long harvest.
Some herbs, such as dill, basil, cilantro (coriander) and fennel will return by "volunteers" or reseed themselves, so if you have planted them before, watch for them to return on their own. To choose which herbs to start with, think about what you use on a regular basis in your cooking.
A good place to start is in your spice cabinet. Make a list of herbs you use regularly, that can be the beginning of your herb garden.
Plant your herbs in a sunny place that will receive about six hours or more of sun each day. There are some shade-tolerant herbs such as oregano, parsley, comfrey, lemon balm or mint if you do not have a full sun area. Be careful of mint and lemon balm, as they can turn invasive if not kept in check. Choose a location for your herbs that is close to your kitchen.
The closer your herbs are to the kitchen, the more likely you are to use them. Be sure to take into consideration whether the herb is perennial or annual. Don't plant a perennial in a place you will want to work the soil every year. Some common perennials are; chives, fennel, lemon balm, mint, oregano, sage, and thyme. Some common annuals are; anise, basil, coriander, dill, and marjoram.
Most herbs are easy to grow and do not take much space but don't crowd the plants as they need air circulation. Allow room for growth. They make excellent companion plants, so plant them right alongside other vegetables and flowers. Try planting a herb next to the vegetable you will be flavoring. I usually plant basil among my tomatoes. Many common herbs are attractive for a dual purpose, ornamental and eatable. Be careful with the fertilizer; some herbs tend to produce excessive foliage that can be poor in flavor if the soil is too fertile.
Don't over water. Herbs, like most garden plants, need about one inch of water per week. If it does not rain, like Mid-Missouri's July and August, you will have to supply the water, so make sure it is convenient. A good way to know if the plants have enough water is to check one inch below soil level for dampness and, of course, watch for wilting.
Few insects or diseases attack herbs. In hot, dry weather, spider mites may damage some herbs. Aphids will attack some herbs such as anise, caraway, dill and fennel. Pest control is usually not necessary but if you notice a problem use an organic pesticide or one that is labeled for food crops. Whatever you put on the plant can affect the taste of the herb and seasoning of the herb, so go easy.
Start snipping, using and enjoying some of those herbs right away, especially the perennials. A little fresh herb goes a long way in flavor and there will be plenty of growth as the season progresses. Sprinkle a little fresh basil on homemade pizza right after you take it out of the oven for a taste that is hard to beat. It makes me hungry just thinking about it.
Happy Gardening!
Peter Sutter is a lifelong gardening enthusiast and a participant in the MU Extension's Callaway County Master Gardener program. Gardening questions can be sent to [email protected].