3 easy tips for growing a kitchen herb garden

A kitchen herb garden -- planted near the kitchen so culinary herbs can be snipped as -- not only looks good, but it smells even better. Fresh herbs add pizzazz to just about any meal.

The basic herbs required for a kitchen garden are easy to grow; even a beginner gardener (or one who's been confined to a city's concrete jungle) can succeed.

• Choosing the best spot for a kitchen herb garden requires a little foresight and planning. Most culinary herbs are fuss-free, so once you've decided which ones to plant and where to plant them, you can relax, watch the garden flourish and ready your kitchen scissors for harvesting.
• If you have the luxury of a back door that opens off your kitchen, you've got the perfect setup for your kitchen herb garden.
• Look for a convenient site that receives at least some sun during the day and is close to the kitchen; you can snag herbs for meals you're preparing more easily this way.
• Dig a small plot in a handy location--near the kitchen stoop, along the walkway leading to the door, or near the back patio are all good choices.
• Decide how many herbs you'd like to grow and dig the plot size accordingly. Decorative, herb-containing pots add appeal to an herb garden and help restrain the more vigorous herbs that may spread.

Some of the most common herbs are also the least hassle. If you enjoy the thrill of watching new seeds sprout, purchase seeds and follow packet directions when planting. Otherwise, many common herbs and a few exotic ones are available in garden centres, ready-started and ready to be transplanted. Here's a list of some easy-to-grow herbs:

• Parsley
• Chives
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Thyme
• Mint
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Marjoram
• Dill
• Lemon balm

There are a few things you should keep in mind as you care for your new garden.

• Snip and clip aromatic herb leaves freely to encourage new growth.
• Pinch off blossoms to keep the plants at their healthy, bushy best.
• Experiment with drying bunches of herbs by hanging them upside-down in a cool, dry place.

Soon, you'll be revelling in the flavour and zest that fresh, home-grown herbs impart to every dish you prepare.