Sep 11, 2024 - Health

Tips for growing your own herbs this fall

Brianna Crane

small patio herb garden — Herb gardens don't require a lot of space or work, gardener Cindy Wolf says. Photo: Courtesy of Cindy Wolf

If growing your own food sounds daunting, start with herbs.

What they're saying: "The beauty of herbs is that you don't need to grow a large crop for them to be useful," Denver resident Cindy Wolf says.

A few sprigs here and there is all you need to dress up your home cooking.

The big picture: Fall is the prime time to plant perennial herbs like sage, chives, cilantro, oregano, thyme and rosemary. Hardy herbs, like sage, can survive winter and thrive in containers indoors, according to gardening pros.

David Trigaux, who writes in from the Washington area, says the secret to a home herb garden is not to overthink it. "I harvest … when I walk past and it looks needed," Trigaux says.

To get started, Axios reader Katy Kutzner of Hyattsville, Md., recommends tapping your local Buy Nothing Facebook group for cuttings — gardeners love to share with other growers, and often starting with established plants is easier than using seeds.

Another Axios reader, Patti Rounsevell of Alexandria, Va., says one of the easiest ways to start your herb garden is to buy a basil plant from a store like Trader Joe's. They sell them in transplantable form, which makes growing easy.

The bottom line: There's never a bad thyme to start your own herb garden.

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Tips for growing your own herbs this fall

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