Herb garden: ideal location for 27 herbs

These include above all all Mediterranean herbs that are used to being in the blazing sun even at midday.

Savory (Satureja)

• annual
• Direct sowing in spring from May, germinates in the sun
• Reseeding possible
• Use with beans, fresh or dried

Borretsch (Borago officinalis)

• annual, likes to self-seed, grows quite large
• attractive flowers, popular with insects
• Use of young leaves and flowers

Dill (Anethum graveolens)

• annual
• Sowing from April, reseeding recommended
• keep moist when cared for in full sun
• The young leaves are used in fish dishes and for preserving cucumbers, among other things
• freezing possible

However Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

• perennial
• shrubby growth
• Medicinal and aromatic herb, also popular with insects
• Plant in spring, possibly give winter protection
• keep dry, mineral substrate is better tolerated

True Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

• perennial
• plant in May
• cutting back ensures bushy growth
• not always sufficiently hardy
• Flower popular with insects
• harvest fresh leaves, drying possible

Knoblauch (Allium sativum)

• perennial
• Stick toes in spring
• Don’t let the soil dry out
• the newly formed onions are harvested on the stalk
• store dry and airy, long lasting

Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum)

• perennial, clump-forming
• Foliage tastes like garlic
• Cut back in autumn and cover with brushwood
• the fresh stalks are harvested and used
• Flowers are also edible
• popular with insects

Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

• perennial
• sow from April
• grows up to 2 m high
• very vigorous, needs a lot of space
• the leaves are used, fresh or dried

Majoran (Origanum majorana)

• annual
• planting in May
• needs fertilization from time to time
• use fresh or dried leaves

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

• Enough
• perennial
• Do not plant young plants until the end of May
• Flowers popular with insects
• provide winter protection in rough locations
• Pruning stimulates new growth of the shoots
• Use of the young leaves and shoots, drying possible

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

• perennial
• not always sufficiently hardy
• Pot culture is better
• do not plant or place in the herb garden until mid-May
• Use needles fresh or dried

Sage (Salvia)

• perennial
• plant in May
• not all varieties hardy
• leaves and shoot tips are harvested
• Flower attractive to insects
• cut regularly

Ysop (Hyssopus officinalis)

• perennial
• plant from May
• cut back in spring
• attractive flower, also for insects
• harvest fresh shoot tips and leaves
• freezing possible

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

• perennial
• plant from May
• hardy, self-sowing, also naturalizes
• use fresh
• Flower suitable for insects

care in the sun

Although they are partly in full midday sun, Mediterranean herbs hardly need water. They like a well-drained, sandy to stony soil and rarely need fertilization.

Herbs for partially shaded locations

These include the most popular garden herbs, which are very versatile and suitable for almost every dish.

Basilikum (Ocimum basilicum)

• annual
• prefer in spring
• Likes warmth, somewhat sensitive to waterlogging, cold, but also drought
• Use leaves fresh, dry, or freeze

Real caraway (Carum carvi)

• biennial
• Sow in March, germinates in the light
• In the first year the leaves and young shoots can be harvested
• allow seeds to mature and harvest in the second year
• store dry
• Cumin is also considered a medicinal plant

Estragon (Artemisia dracunculus)

• perennial
• plant from May, keep moist
• Likes warmth, some winter protection may be helpful
• goes well with fish, poultry, mustard and salads
• fresh leaves and shoot tips are used
• the herb loses its aroma when dried

Gartenkresse (Identification)

• annual
• Sow from March, germinates in the light, frequent reseeding
• easy-care
• Use the fresh leaves in salads or as a topping for bread

Kerbel (Anthriscus)

• annual
• sow from March
• keep moist
• use of the young leaves

Meerrettich (Armoracia rusticana)

• perennial
• Propagation and planting via root pieces
• Root barrier useful, rampant
• the roots are harvested in autumn
• use freshly grated

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

• biennial
• flowers in the second year, after that no longer edible
• Sow in a new location in spring
• classic herb
• use fresh or freeze

Pfefferminze (Mentha x piperita)

• perennial
• likes to proliferate, use root barrier
• classic tea plant
• use fresh or dried
• popular with insects

Pimpernelle (Sanguisorba minor)

• perennial
• clump-forming
• sow from March
• use of the fresh leaves
• Year-round harvest possible depending on location

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

• perennial
• sow in spring
• clump-like growth, plant occasionally divide
• Pruning encourages new growth
• harvest fresh leaves

Care in partial shade

Plants in partial shade are quite frugal, this also applies to herbs. An airy location protects against fungal diseases. Fertilizing and watering should be done regularly depending on the species.

Herbs for shady locations

wild garlic (Allium ursinum)

• perennial
• onion plant
• spreads independently in the garden
• Leaves and flowers are edible
• shoots out in spring, then pulls back its leaves

Brunnenkresse (Nasturtium officinale)

• perennial
• grows in clean waters
• suitable for garden ponds, even better streams
• Can also be cared for in shallow bowls of water
• the fresh leaves are harvested, good salad herbs

Waldmeister (Galium odoratum)

• perennial
• small cushion-forming herb
• Harvest just before flowering makes the most sense
• freezing or drying increases the flavor
• suitable for drinks or ice cream

care in the shade

When caring for shade herbs correctly, it is important that they receive sufficient moisture without being permanently wet. An exception is watercress, which thrives in water. A permeable soil can prevent waterlogging.

frequently asked Questions