If you are looking to start a vegetable garden, but are not sure how, why not start with a low-key effort: a few herb plants in your garden or on your balcony. Growing herbs is incredibly easy. And you will have a continuous supply!

Which herb plants?

Start with the herbs you use (almost) every day, like thyme (Thymus), rosemary (Rosmarinus) and chives (Allium schoenoprasum). These are all easygoing plants that you will be enjoying for months. Once you get the hang of it, you can expand your plant collection with slightly less common herbs, like tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), sage (Salvia) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). And don’t forget herbs for tea, like mint (Mentha) and anise hyssop (Agastache).

From border to herb garden

Herbs are easygoing and beautiful plants. You can simply plant them between your other plants in the border. They do like a sunny spot, though. If you prefer to have more of an overview, you can group the herb plants together in a part of the border or in a separate herb garden. Herbs also thrive in pots and containers. Put them near the kitchen door for easy access!

A square metre garden

Once you get the hang of growing herbs, it’s only a small step to a vegetable garden. You could set up a square metre garden, for example, with a mix of herbs, vegetable plants and edible flowers. But if you prefer, feel free to just enjoy your herb garden and leave it at that!

Tips & ideas

• Lots of lushly growing herbs will give your garden a natural atmosphere. If you pick with moderation, the plants will flower. The flowers will attract lots of butterflies and bees!
• You can pick rosemary, sage and thyme year-round (avoid picking the plant completely bare).
• Lavender is perfect for drying, so you can enjoy its soothing scent in winter, too.