As signs of Persephone’s yearly return from the underworld grow more frequent, such as longer days and warmer temperatures, spring offers the perfect opportunity to start or revive your dream garden. Having a garden, particularly a medicinal herb garden, is a great way to reconnect with the healing power of nature. Whether you’re a seasoned herbalist or a novice gardener, you know those first few signs of Mother Nature stirring from her annual slumber are marvelous to witness. And I am here for it, folks.

I have spent the winter planning the inventory and layout my garden, building raised beds, and starting seeds. Equal amounts of research and daydreaming has gone into this project, and I am so excited to actually begin to work outside. Ya know, get my hands dirty so to speak.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the main steps to getting your garden ready for spring, so you can begin to enjoy the healing benefits of medicinal plants.

Planning Your Medicinal Garden

Assessing your space:

The first step to building your dream garden is to determine the amounts of sunlight, soil quality, and space available for you garden.

Sunlight requirements for herbs

1. Full Sun Herbs: Herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, and lavender typically prefer full sun exposure and will thrive with 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
2. Partially Shade-Tolerant Herbs: Some herbs can tolerate partial shade and may require around 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. Examples include mint, cilantro, parsley, and chives.
3. Shade-Loving Herbs: A few herbs, such as lemon balm and parsley, can grow well in shaded areas and may require 3-4 hours of sunlight or dappled light to thrive.

Raised beds vs. in-ground planting

The next big decision to tackle is the age old question, raised beds or in ground planting. For small suburban landscapes, I recommend raised beds as they allow for a more deliberate and manicured aesthetic that many people who live in urban areas with things, such as HOA’s, might appreciate. Raised beds generally have warmer soil temps sooner in the year compared to conventional gardens so the growing seasons might be extended in some areas. Also, they tend to have better drainage and aeration, preventing root rot, caused from the soil to become too waterlogged.

In ground planting isn’t without its own set of perks. Natural soil integration, cost effectiveness, and greater planting flexibility are a few of the positive aspects of choosing to go this route. If you have the space and means for this type of garden, you will be able to reap the benefits of growing plants with different growing requirements without the constraints of raised beds.

Soil Preparation and Amendments

Soil testing is an important way to determine the health of you soil. It allows you to see the pH range and what nutrients need to be added back into the earth to maximize the growing conditions. A good place to start with soil testing is to get in contact with your local state extension office. They are one of the best resources a gardener or farmer can have. Additionally, you can improve the quality over time by adding organic matter, compost, and natural amendments back into the soil improve fertility, drainage, and structure. Pro tip: apply a layer of mulch to the top of your beds to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Selecting and Starting Herbs

Now comes the time to decide what you’re going to grow and how you’re going to grow it. Do you want to start from seed, plugs, cuttings, transplants? Each route has its own list of advantages and disadvantages that are worthy of a deeper individual dive, and I encourage you to research them all and find out which would be suitable for your situation. Many growers grow from seed because of the cost effectiveness as well as the connection it forms to the entire process. For those who are not ready to jump off that cliff, plugs and transplants from local nurseries offer quality options for those in need based off your hardiness zone.

Hardiness zone

The types of plants you will have the best luck growing based on your local temperatures and conditions, which is called your hardiness zone. Just type in you zip code and google will let you know what zone you belong to.

Planting and Care

Depending on the herbs and plants you choose to grow, you will need to be aware of the individual plants needs. Spacing, depth, and planting techniques will differ based on each plant. Determine the amount of water that will be needed to ensure adequate moisture without overwatering. Having access to a convenient water source will make maintaining abundant growth all season long a breeze.

Pro-tip: Continuously monitoring plants for signs of pests, disease, or deficiencies with ensure that you have a successful crop yield. By having a constant eye on your garden, you will be able to swiftly spot any problem areas and take appropriate actions to correct the situations.

Companion Planting and Pest Management

Companion planting is a gardening practice that involves strategically planting different types of plants together based on their mutually beneficial relationships. The goal of companion planting is to enhance plant growth, improve pest management, increase crop yield, and promote overall garden health through natural interactions between plant species. Companion planting relies on the concept of symbiosis, where plants provide benefits to one another through various mechanisms such as pest repellence, nutrient enhancement, shade provision, and pollination support. By selecting compatible plant combinations and avoiding detrimental pairings, gardeners can create a harmonious and thriving ecosystem in their gardens.

Harvesting and Preserving Herbs

Harvesting herbs at the right time and in the correct manner is essential to ensure optimal flavor, potency, and plant health. Here are some general guidelines for harvesting herbs:

Timing

• Harvest herbs when they are at their peak flavor and aroma, typically in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun is too hot.
• For leafy herbs, such as basil and mint, harvest before the plant flowers, as this is when the essential oils responsible for flavor are most concentrated.
• Woody herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, can be harvested throughout the growing season as needed, but avoid harvesting more than one-third of the plant at a time to ensure healthy growth.

Method

• Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to harvest herbs to avoid damaging the plant.
• Cut herbs just above a set of healthy leaves or nodes to encourage new growth and branching.
• For leafy herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, harvest the outer leaves first, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing.
• For woody herbs, such as lavender or sage, cut stems just above a leaf node or pair of leaves, taking care not to remove too much foliage.

Quantity

• Harvest herbs in moderation, taking only what you need for immediate use to allow the plant to continue growing and producing throughout the season.
• Avoid overharvesting, as this can weaken the plant and reduce future yields.

Storage

• Immediately after harvesting, gently rinse herbs under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Shake off excess water and pat dry with a clean towel.
• Depending on the herb, you can store it fresh in the refrigerator, dry it for later use, or preserve it by freezing or making herb-infused oils or vinegars.
• To dry herbs, tie them in small bundles and hang them upside down in a warm, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight until fully dry. Once dry, store in airtight containers away from heat and light.

Considerations

• Be mindful of the plant’s growth habit and harvest accordingly. For example, perennial herbs like chives or thyme may be harvested regularly throughout the growing season, while annual herbs like basil may need to be harvested more selectively to prevent premature flowering and bolting.
• Watch for signs of pests or diseases while harvesting and remove any affected plant material to prevent spread.

Embracing Herbal Wisdom and Connection

With all the practical information being discussed, it is important to remember the importance of cultivating a connection to you garden. Gardening should be an immersive experience that encourages mindfulness, gratitude, and reverence for the healing power of plants.

This is the perfect time to start experimenting with herbal remedies. With your bountiful harvest, you will be able to explore the world of herbal medicine and DIY remedies using herbs from their garden.

I hope this post showed you that by preparing your small medicinal garden for spring is not only a practical endeavor but also a deeply nourishing and empowering experience. By tending to your garden with care and intention, you can cultivate a sanctuary of wellness that nourishes your body, mind, and spirit throughout the seasons.

So roll up your sleeves, dig in the dirt, and let the magic of spring awaken your inner herbalist as you embark on this journey of growth, healing, and connection with nature.

Let me know what you’re growing in your garden this year!