'Otto Quast' ('Quasti') Spanish Lavender

I started with a 4" starter 'Otto Quast' ('Quasti') Spanish Lavender, Lavandula stoechas, from Al's Garden Center. This particular variety of Lavender has very distinctive large purple flowers and attracts butterflies. (above) My lavender in May 2011, about a month after planting.

Growing Tips: Spanish Lavender prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Grows to 24-26" high and is hardy in zones 7 - 9.  Excellent indoor houseplant for colder climates.

Perennial Tips: Mulch base of plant in winter with hazelnut shells.  This hardy plant will do fine in winter, even with mild snows, if desired, bring indoors over winter.

Triple Curled Parsley

I started with seeds of Triple Curled Parsley (Petroselinum hortensis) from Seed Savers Heirloom Seeds. This particular seed pack was packed in 2008 and is a biennial. I started my seeds indoors in pods, while sprouting they were kept covered in a dark room and once leaves started to develop, I moved the plants into a sunny window, uncovered. The plants at about 3" tall were transplanted into a terra-cotta pot and kept in the sunny window until they were strong enough to be moved outdoors to full sun. (right) My Curled Parsley on July 2, 2009 after moving outside.

Growing Tips: Curled Parsley prefers full sun to partial shade and well drained, rich soil.

Seeding: Sow seeds outdoors 1/4" deep when there is still a chance of a light frost (or sow indoors year-round). Seeds germinate in 14-21 days.

Harvesting: Harvest Parsley anytime after 30 days when leaves are curly and green. Trim off and use as needed.

Bay Laurel

I started with a 3" starter plant, Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) from Al's Garden Center. Bay Laurel is an evergreen shrub or small tree often grown as a tender perennial. It has aromatic foliage, cream flowers and dark berries. Bay Laurel leaves are used fresh or dried in soups, stews, meat dishes and French cooking. I planted my Bay Laurel into a small terra-cotta pot with the intent of transplanting at a later date. (right) This is my larger Bay Laurel, I have two, in June 2009. It is just starting to show the first signs of new growth since last summer.

Growing Tips: Bay Laurel prefers full sun to partial sun and requires well drained soil. Grows up to 5 feet tall in pot culture and grows best in containers.

Harvesting: Bay Laurel leaves can be harvested directly from the plant as needed or for drying.

Perennial Tips: Move indoors during winter in zones 7 or colder and place in a well lighted area or window.

Catnip

I started with two 4" starter plants, Catnip from Al's Garden Center. I planted my catnip side by side in a long terra-cotta pot in full sun. Catnip is a natural insect repellent against aphids, Colorado potato beetles and squash bugs. In addition, Catnip has a chemical called nepetalactone that is naturally found in the leaves of both catnip and catmint, this chemical is a natural deer repellent. (right) My catnip in late June. I placed it in the middle row of my herb garden.

Growing Tips: Catnip prefers full sun or partial shade. Pinch tips throughout the growing season to delay flowering. Once finished blooming, cut them back by one-third to one-half to encourage new growth for late summer, early fall.

Sweet Basil

I started with two 4" starter plants of Sweet Basil from Al's Garden Center. I planted each in its own large plastic container in full sun. (right) My two basil plants about 2 weeks after original transplant on June 19, 2009.

Growing Tips: Basil prefers a warm, sheltered location in full sun. The soil should be moist and well drained. Pinch tips regularly to promote bushy growth and remove all flower spikes.

Placement: Grow basil next to tomatoes for healthier, tastier plants.

Harvesting: Basil can be harvested throughout the growing season, simply clip the plant at the end of a stem, new growth will occur where clipped. For year round harvest, grow the plant indoors in a sunny window.

Mint

I started with a 4" starter Mint plant from Al's Garden Center. I planted my mint directly into a small terra-cotta pot which it quickly outgrew in about one week. Mint is a vigorous grower and is best controlled in container gardening. I have transplanted it into a larger 'bowl-like' terra-cotta pot and it is now a little over a foot tall. (right) My mint before transplanting to its larger container in June.

Growing Tips: Mint prefers full sun and partial shade. Bring indoors for winter harvest.

Harvesting: Harvest mint leaves throughout the growing season.

Rosemary

I started with two 6" starter plants of Rosemary from Bonnie Plants. I planted my rosemary in large terra-cotta pots in full sun. Rosemary will draw honey bees to your garden, repel carrot flies outdoors and moths indoors. (right) My rosemary after transplant.

Growing Tips: Rosemary prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. Grows to about 2' - 6' high and 2' - 3' wide. Water thoroughly when soil is dry, do not let soil dry out completely. Cuttings can be taken from the plant in spring to start new plants.

Harvesting: Rosemary can be harvested anytime, simply trim off stems from plant. Strip the leaves from the stems for fresh use. Rosemary should be brought inside before the first frost for year-round harvest.

Perennial Tips: Plants will become thin and lanky every few years. If being used for harvest, start over with a new rosemary plant every three years or so.

Chives

I started with chives from seed and starter plants, both work very well and are easy to grow. I planted my starter plants in a medium-sized terra-cotta pot (two plants in a single pot). This way, when I harvest one plant, the other will be growing for a constant harvest. (right) My chives in June 2008 right after I transplanted the starters.

Growing Tips: Chives prefer full sun and moist, well drained soil. If not growing for flowers, cut the plant to the ground two or three times during the growing season to promote fresh growth from the base. Bring indoors for the winter if grown in containers for year round harvest or keep outside and they will come back in spring.

Placement: Grow chives and carrots in close proximity, when grown together, carrots tend to grow larger.

Harvesting: Clip from plant as needed or two to three times during the growing season harvest the entire plant, clipping at the ground.

Lavender

I have a couple large lavender plants in my garden that have returned from last year. I have them planted in full sun, in large, terra-cotta pots. My lavender has a layer of twice-cracked hazelnut mulch covering the top soil, which helped them survive the winter snow. Lavender is also a natural herbicide. (right) My lavender is June 2008, I don't harvest my lavender so it is fully flowering.

Growing Tips: Lavender prefers full sun and well drained soil. In the northwest, lavender never needs supplemental watering and will do best on rainfall alone. Cover with mulch for winter.

Placement: Grow lavender near Thyme and vegetables, it will make them tastier and healthier.

Harvesting: Pick lavender just before the last flowers on the stalks fully open or grow to flower in the garden for the aromatics and lovely purple flowers. If harvested, cut the stems on a dry day before the heat of the sun draws out the oils.

Marjoram

I started with two 6" started plants of Marjoram from Iwasaki Bros. I planted them each in their own medium-sized terra-cotta pot in full sun. Marjoram is very aromatic, can be used for medicinal purposes and has lovely white or pink flowers. (right) This is my Marjoram right after transplant on June 15th.

Growing Tips: Marjoram prefers full sun and should be planted 6" - 8" apart or in its own container. Grows to be about 12" - 24" tall. Trim back after flowering.

Harvesting: Marjoram can be harvested throughout the growing season or grown indoors for year-round herbs. Best to harvest before flowering.

Italian Oregano : Organic

I started with three 6" starter plants of Organic Italian Oregano from Earthe eco-friendly plants. I planted all three in their own medium-sized terra-cotta pots in full sun. Italian Oregano is much taller than traditional Oregano with smaller leaves and this will be my first year growing it. (right) This is my Italian Oregano plant right after transplant.

Growing Tips: Italian Oregano prefers full sun and grows to around 18" tall. Should be spaced 12" apart or grown in their own containers. Requires monthly fertilization. If tips of plant begin to droop, it needs more sunlight and water.

Harvesting: Can be harvesting right away, best before flowering.

Oregano

I started with a 5" starter plant, Oregano from Al's Garden Center. Oregano can be in a controlled as to how big you want it by growing it in a container rather than an open garden (it can grow to be very large and bushy). I planted mine directly into a medium size, deep terra-cotta pot with good drainage. (right) My Oregano in June, about 30 days after transplant.

Growing Tips: Oregano prefers full sun and soil of poor to average fertility. Oregano grows great in containers or gardens and can be trimmed back to keep a smaller footprint if desired. It will flower in late summer and will attract lots of bees to your garden. Most varieties of Oregano are very hardy and will return the following year.

Harvesting: Leaves should be harvested just before flowering and flowers should be trimmed back after blooming.

Sage

I started with 6" starter plants, Common Sage (Salvia Comun) by Bonnie Plants. I have two plants and I potted them directly into garden soil in two medium sized terra-cotta, bowl shaped pots. With terra-cotta, you want to be wet the pot before planting anything in it to help with moisture control. (right) This is my Sage right after being transplanted from the starter plant container in June.

Growing Tips: Sage prefers full sun (but tolerates light shade) and well drained soil.

Harvesting: Harvest leaves before flowering, unless the flowers are being pinched off throughout the growing season.

Placement: Sage should be grown next to Rosemary, both plants will grow healthier.

Winter Thyme

I started with four 5" starter plants of Winter Thyme from Al's Garden Center. I planted all four plants in one large, round, ceramic pot that has very good drainage. From my experience, Thyme seems to prefer to grow in bunches but can also be grown as a single plant. (right) This is my Thyme in June 2009 and it is just starting to flower.

Growing Tips: Thyme prefers full sun with good drainage. One plants have finished flowering, shear back the plant by half to encourage new growth and to prevent the Thyme from becoming too woody.

Placement: Thyme should be grown next to strawberries and lavender. Thyme is also part of the mint family.