Like most fall plantings herbs grow best during the cooler drier weather. Now is the time to begin months of great herb plantings that extend through winter and most of spring. Traditionally herbs have been grown in separate gardens but modern planters mix them with flowers and vegetables. Gardeners limited to balconies, patios and even windowsills can enjoy herbs too. In fact many gardeners feel herbs grow best in containers. With these easy to move gardens you are in complete charge of the light, soil, water and fertilizer to ensure the best growth.

Basil

The list of basils includes sweet, purple, ruffled lemon and more growing 18 to 24 inches tall. All are annuals started from seed and planted in ground or containers. Use the leaves at any stage and keep the flowers trimmed off for the best production.

Chives

Regular and garlic chives are 12 to 18 inch tall perennials that grow year-round in local gardens. Plantings are started from seeds or division of older plants. Trim back the leaves to use at any stage. Garlic chives has the strongest aroma and taste.

Mexican Tarragon

Few would guess this herb is really a marigold as the pinched leaves release a familiar tarragon aroma and flavor. The plants grow year-round to 36 inches tall and produce clusters of attractive yellow flowers. Use the leaves at any stage.

Mint

It's hard to pick a favorite when you have peppermint, spearmint, pineapple mint, chocolate mint and more available at your local garden center. Plants grow 12 to 24 inches tall and often several feet wide. Mints can grow out of control so it's best to restrict them to a small portion of the garden or containers.

Rosemary

It's fun to just pinch a stem of rosemary to release the spicy aroma. The plant is very drought resistant and should be given the drier location in the garden. Rosemary is a perennial that can grow to 36 inches tall to use as a border or hedge planting.

Thyme

Keep thyme in a container or allow it to creep out over the garden this perennial only grows 4 to 12 inches tall. You can select thyme with deep green foliage or a variegated variety to add extra interest to the garden. The tiny leaves are best used when young.

Coriander, Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum
Coriander, Cilantro was our herb of the month in September 2007. CLICK HERE

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis
Lemon Balm was our herb of the month in August 2007. CLICK HERE

Basil, Ocimum basilicum
Basil was our herb of the month in July 2007. CLICK HERE

Epazote, (Chenopodium amborsiodes)
Epazote was our herb of the month in June 2007. CLICK HERE

Sage, (Salvia species)
Sage was our herb of the month in May 2007. CLICK HERE

Lavender
Lavender was our herb of the month in April 2007. CLICK HERE

Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
Our herb of the month in March 2007. CLICK HERE

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis
Our herb of the month in February 2007. CLICK HERE

Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa
Our herb of the month in January 2007. CLICK HERE

Ginger, Zingiber officinale
Our herb of the month in November 2006. CLICK HERE

Chamomile, Roman or German Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita
Our herb of the month in October 2006. CLICK HERE

Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus
Our herb of the month in September 2006. CLICK HERE

Horsetail, Equisetum arvense
Our herb of the month in August 2006. CLICK HERE

Cayenne, Capsicum frutescens
Our herb of the month in June 2006. CLICK HERE

Lemon Verbena, Lippia citriodoro
Our herb of the month in May 2006 . CLICK HERE

Scented Geranium, (Pelargonium species)
Our herb of the month in April 2006 and Herb of the Year 2006 . CLICK HERE

Mexican Mint Marigold, (Tagetes Lucida)
Our herb of the month in March 2006. CLICK HERE

Rose, Rosa Species
Revisit Rose, our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK HERE

Sweet Bay, (Grecian Laurel)
Laurus nobilis
Our herb of the month in January 2006. CLICK HERE

Herbs of the Bible
Our herb of the month in Decembers 2005. CLICK HERE

Sage, (Salvia species)
Sage was our herb of the month in November 2005. CLICK HERE

Lemongrass, (Cymbopogon citratus) Tender perennial
Lemongrass was our herb of the month in October 2005. CLICK HERE

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale
Dandelion was our herb of the month in September 2005. CLICK HERE

Borage, Borago officinalis
Borage was our herb of the month in August 2005. CLICK HERE

Basil, Ocimum basilicum
Basil was our herb of the month in July 2005. CLICK HERE

Scented Geranium, Pelargonium species
Parsley was our herb of the month in May/June 2005. CLICK HERE

Parsley, Petroselinum sativum
Parsley was our herb of the month in March/April 2005. CLICK HERE

Rose, Rosa Species
Rose was our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK HERE

Arugula, Roquette, Eruca vesiceria sub, sativa
Arugula was our herb of the month in January 2005. CLICK HERE

Calendula, Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis
Calendula was our herb of the month in December 2004. CLICK HERE

Winter Savory, Satureja Montana
Winter Savory was our herb of the month in November 2004. CLICK HERE

Coriander, Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum
Echinacea was our herb of the month in October 2004. CLICK HERE

Echinacea (Purple Coneflower)
Echinacea was our herb of the month in September 2004. CLICK HERE

Lemon Verbena
Mint was our herb of the month in August 2004. CLICK HERE

Mint
Mint was our herb of the month in July 2004. CLICK HERE

Hoja Santum
Hoja Santum was our herb of the month in June 2004. CLICK HERE

Lavender
Lavender was our herb of the month in May 2004. CLICK HERE

Thyme
Thyme was our herb of the month in April 2004. CLICK HERE

Oregano
Oregano was our herb of the month in October 2003. CLICK HERE

Peppermint Ideas
Peppermint was our herb of the month in August 2003. Our readers sent in these ideas on how they use peppermint. CLICK HERE

Fall Herb Gardening
CLICK HERE