Creating a herb bed: location, varieties & Co.

Fresh herbs all year round - no problem with a herb bed. We show what you should consider when creating your herb bed.

Many herbs can be wonderfully cultivated not only in pots, but also in the garden bed. In order for the herbs to thrive, you should consider a few aspects when planning the herb bed. Overwintering some species also poses a particular challenge. We will explain to you what needs to be considered when selecting, arranging, cultivating and caring for herbs in the garden bed.

First of all, you should think about which herbs to grow. After all, every herb has different demands on the soil and the lighting conditions, which should be taken into account when planning the herb bed.

Location and location for the perfect herb bed

Herbs from the south, such as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) or thyme (Thymus vulgaris), usually prefer a sunny, rather dry location. Many local herbs, among others mint (mentha) and chives (Allium schoenoprasum), prefer a shady or semi-shady spot. Therefore, they can also be planted under a tree or in places that are not suitable for Mediterranean herbs. Even if many native herbs are adapted to the cooler weather conditions here, the herb bed should be sheltered from the wind. A free space next to the house, for example, is a good idea, and that should be the case in snowy locations Herb bed but out of reach of roof avalanches, so that the persistent herbs do not damage to take.

Ground preparations for a herb bed

After choosing the right location, the preparation of the soil follows. It is best to dig up the bed in late autumn and remove the weeds. The ground can then rest during the winter months. You can also take advantage of frost, which "blows up" larger clods of earth into small crumbs over the winter. This saves you having to chop it up in the spring. Many herbs prefer permeable, lean soil. Loamy and heavily compacted soils should therefore be enriched with sand. On the other hand, if the soil is very sandy and permeable, it can be improved with high-quality gardening soil. In addition, special herb soils are commercially available, which can be used primarily for planting in pots or boxes, but can also be used to enrich the garden soil. The incorporation of organic materials, such as compost, can also improve the soil structure and promote soil life.

Variety selection for the herb bed

The selection of herbs should be based primarily on their use. There is a large selection of kitchen and tea herbs. Some plants are also very decorative or smell particularly good. The wide range of exotic herbs does not necessarily make the selection easier.

Which herbs are suitable for a herb bed?

There are a variety of herbs that are suitable for planting in the garden bed. A basic distinction is made between annual and perennial herbs. Most of our herbs are perennial and even survive not too cold winters outside. They will sprout again next spring. Well-known representatives of perennial herbs are thyme, oregano (Origanum vulgare), sage (Salvia officinalis), chives, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), vermouth (Artemisia absinthium) and savory (Satureja hortensis).

Annual herbs, on the other hand, only bloom for one summer and die after seed formation. That is why they have to be sown anew every year. However, some species are only short-lived here due to the lack of winter hardiness. Annual herbs include, for example dill (Anethum graveolens)chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), borage (Borago officinalis) and Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus). parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) are biennial, i.e. they only flower in the second year and then die off if they have not already been harvested.

Another selection criterion can be the sensitivity to frost. Some Mediterranean herbs are not hardy here. Basil, lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora), rosemary and laurel (Laurus nobilis) should be overwintered indoors and are therefore only conditionally suitable for the herb bed.

tip: An overview native wild herbs can be found in our special article.

Which herbs go together?

From a work point of view, it can make sense to plant annuals and perennials separately. However, it is much more important to pay attention to whether the neighboring cultivation of herbs is possible due to growth-inhibiting intolerances and the increased susceptibility to diseases. The most tolerable type of annual herb is probably basil. Among the perennial herbs, for example, savory, oregano and sage go very well together.

The site conditions also give an indication of which herbs go well together. savory, rosemary , Basil, lavender (Lavendula angustifolia), oregano, sage or thyme, for example, prefer sunny locations and lean soil without waterlogging due to their Mediterranean roots. herbs like watercress (Nasturtium officinale), dill, parsley, chives, lovage (Levisticum officinale), peppermint (mentha x piperita) and chamomile are not permanently dependent on sunshine. In contrast to the Mediterranean herbs, they also prefer humus-rich, nutrient-rich and slightly moist soil.

More on the question “Which herbs go well together?” can be found here in our special article.

What do you have to consider when buying herbs?

Many garden centers offer a large selection of different herbs, especially in spring. If you don't have any experience in growing herbs, you can also get very good advice there. If you want a quick harvest, you should buy young plants. Growing herbs from seeds is also possible, but takes a little more time and work.

Make sure you only buy healthy and strong plants with as many branches as possible. In addition, the pots should already be well rooted. Leaves should be a fresh green color and free from fungal and pest infestation.

Planting a herb bed: instructions

After the subsoil has been loosened up with a suitable substrate, you can start planting in the herb bed from mid-May. The pots of young herbs are often already heavily rooted, so they should be used as soon as possible after purchase. Dig a hole of sufficient depth with a hand shovel. The base of the plant should be at ground level after watering. Remove the plant from the pot and, if necessary, loosen the root ball with your fingers. The plant can then be placed in the hole and filled with loose soil. Press the soil carefully and provide the plant with sufficient water.

This is the best way to go about planting herbs:

• Dig a planting hole
• Remove the plant from the pot and loosen the root ball
• Insert and fill with soil
• Lightly press
• Water sufficiently

Suggestions for arranging a herb bed

There are different ways of arranging the herbs in a bed. Geometric beds, for example, are relatively easy to care for. The herbs can be placed in groups and surrounded by low hedges of bushy herbs such as lavender or fences. Arranging the herbs neatly and perhaps even labeling them will make it easier to find each species. Good accessibility through cleverly laid out paths also makes it easier to care for and harvest the herbs.

However, when arranging them, keep in mind that not every herb grows well in every location. Tall plants (fennel, mugwort, wormwood) should be placed in the middle or in the background. Drought-loving herbs (thyme, rosemary, savory) can be planted at the edge. Rampant plants (mint, lemon balm) should be planted in separate areas or provided with a root barrier. Of course, you can also dedicate your herb bed to a theme. How about, for example, a fragrant aroma garden, a culinary kitchen herb bed or a colorful tea herb garden.

Maintain herb bed

Most herbs are relatively easy to care for. As in the vegetable patch, the weeds should be weeded regularly. If it is hot, you should also water it. A mulch layer of grass clippings can reduce evaporation. In addition, the soil should be loosened up a little from time to time. For plants that like warmth, such as lavender, thyme or savory, a layer of gravel or grit (about 2 cm high) can also be applied.

To ensure that your herbs are adequately supplied with nutrients, you can work some compost into the soil in spring. Regular pruning of the herbs also ensures dense growth and the reproduction of young, tender leaves. Fortunately, herbs rarely get sick and attract relatively few insect pests. Be careful not to use chemical pesticides if the leaves are going to be eaten soon. It is best to remove affected shoots with pruning shears. When fertilizing, rely primarily on organic slow-release fertilizers like ours Plantura organic universal fertilizer.

Overwinter the herb bed

Perennial herbs require special measures so that they survive the winter undamaged and can sprout again in the spring. Overwintering native herbs is usually unproblematic, while Mediterranean herbs have slightly higher requirements.

Before the first snowfall, you should loosen the soil well again, if necessary, you can also work in some compost. In addition, the herbs should be cut back and covered with pine greens. Herbs that are sensitive to cold, such as lemon verbena, can be covered with straw or garden fleece. Herbs that grow in pots are brought indoors. They can be overwintered in a bright place at about 5 °C on the windowsill or in the stairwell. However, darker, cool rooms offer the advantage that the herbs shed their leaves by themselves and thus the risk of rot is reduced. Don't forget to water the potted plants from time to time so that the herbs don't dry out.

Summary: Create a herb bed

1. First select and arrange herbs according to site requirements
2. Depending on the time available, buy young plants or seeds
3. Dig up the bed in autumn and improve it with sand and garden soil
4. Maintain the bed after planting: weed, mulch and water
5. Prune herbs before winter and cover them with fir greens; overwinter non-hardy species indoors

Alternatives to the herb bed

In addition to the classic herb bed in the garden, there are also various other options for growing herbs. We present some of them to you in more detail.

Herb raised bed, herb spiral and herb spiral

If you prefer raised beds, you can also grow a wide variety of herbs in them. The optimal location of the raised bed depends on the requirements of the herbs that are planted in it. Mediterranean herbs need a sunny spot, while other herbs also do well in partial shade. Since most species do not have very deep roots, a height of around 50 cm is usually sufficient for a raised bed of herbs. Here we explain how to set one up Properly plant raised beds of herbs.

The herb spiral, also known as the herb spiral, is a modern, space-saving form of herb garden. For this purpose, a more or less large mound of earth is laid out in a spiral or snail shape. The hilly shape offers different habitats for the plants. Moisture-loving herbs such as mint, parsley or chives find a good place at the bottom. At the top of the spiral feel thyme or quenelle (Thymus pulegioides) very well. You can plant mint, cress and chives on the shady north side and Mediterranean herbs such as sage, rosemary and lavender thrive on the sunny south side. Here we show you how easy it is to create one of your own in just ten minutes Create herb snails in the garden be able.

Cultivation of herbs in pots for balconies, terraces and window sills

If you don't want to do without fresh, aromatic herbs in the kitchen in winter, you can also plant herbs in pots. Chives and parsley, for example, are wonderful for cultivation on the windowsill. A layer of gravel or shards of clay under the substrate ensures that the irrigation water can drain off well in the pot and that there is no waterlogging.

If you have enough space, you can also cultivate herbs in tubs or flower boxes. It should be determined beforehand whether the orientation of the balcony or terrace corresponds to the location requirements of the plants. The use of a suitable substrate and the size of the planters are at least as important for the success of the cultivation. Dill and lovage, for example, have very deep roots and need a correspondingly high container. Particular deep-rooting plants or plants with a pronounced root system, such as tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) or wormwood are not suitable for growing on the balcony or terrace.

More tips about Planting herbs on the windowsill, on the balcony and in the bed can be found here.