I'm thinking of trying growing herbs this year. Any suggestions on which ones to grow to begin with ???
Are there any particular herbs that you want to learn to cook with or use in lotions or potions Cooking .... Basil, Common Sage, Oregano, Cilantro/Coriander (same plant but in the U.S. the leaves are known as Cilantro and the seeds are called Coriander), Parsley, Rosemary, Nasturiums, Thyme. Other uses.... Chamomile, Calendula, Lavender, Feverfew, Comfrey, Peppermint....to name a few.
Herbs are wonderful plants--lovely to look at and good to eat! From seed you can start dill, basil, and cilantro. Dill and cilantro are cool season herbs, and best started directly in the garden. Basil can be started inside and moved out when the days and nights are warm. If you've never grown herbs before I'd suggest that you buy starts of thyme, chives, oregano, rosemary, parsley, and sage. All these are perennial, except parsley, and can be planted out and left. We plant borage for bees, rue and fennel for butterflies, and mint for the heck of it. Mint needs to stay in a pot or it can take over the acreage.
Thyme, oregano, sage, chives, and most mints are good to zone 4b/5a. Rosemary to zone 7. All are tough and survived my neglect and first gardening attempts from the high mountains of Idaho to my totally different rainy/cool climate i live in now. Good luck with whatever you start out with. Remember not to give up whatever happens. I've managed to kill even mint. It is sometimes just a matter of multiple attempts and a started plant from a neighbor Happy gardening
You have some good suggestions here. All I'm going to add is to be sure to plant herbs where they'll have good drainage. Many herbs are drought-tolerant once they get established, but none will tolerate soggy soil. Enjoy your herbs! Christine
