It’s Thyme to Get Started: What I will be Planting in My Spring Herb Garden this Year!

Late February to early March is a good time to get started on buying your seeds in preparation for your Spring herb garden. Start the seeds indoors, and then take the young plants outside once they are big enough and freezing temperatures are over. Or, you can wait until after the danger of freezing temperatures is over, and go to the garden center to buy young plants already started for you.

Planning ahead, here are the amazing herbs I will be planting in my Spring herb garden this year.

Easy Herbs I will Grow in My Spring Herb Garden

Echinacea
Lavender
Rosemary
Basil
Thyme
Oregano
Lemon Balm
Calendula
Rose
Peppermint
Sage

Getting My Spring Herb Garden Plants Started Indoors

This year, I started my seeds indoors in mid February. In Dallas, I can think about planting them into outdoor pots in late March. When starting your seeds, there are a few things to know.

Dirt: it matters. Buy good dirt, preferably organic garden potting soil.
Water: don’t oversoak the seeds, but make sure the soil does not dry out. I use seedling containers with holes. Then I line them up in trays filled with just 1/4 inch of water. I add water to the bottom of the tray about once a day, making sure it has just 1/4 inch of water at the bottom.
Sun: your seed babies need plenty of it. When growing indoors, place them by a sunny window sill.
Cats, dogs, and children: keep them away. My cat thinks the baby sprouts are for her to nibble. You can buy seed growing kits with clear plastic covers that offer a nice green house effect, plus help to keep curious cats, dogs, and kids away.
Patience: do not take your young plants outside too soon. Once you’ve spent about 3-6 weeks growing your seedlings into beautiful young plants, you are probably anxious to get them outside in their forever pots. It is important that freezing temperatures are over before you take your green babies outside. Here is a cool online tool where you can type your zip code to see when to expect the last freeze in your area: Burpee Last Frost. While some plants are hearty and can take a cold snap, others may not fend so well.
Thyme to go outside: When you plant your young plants outdoors, dirt, water, sun, pests, and patience should still be considered. Be aware of how much sun your plants like to have, grow them in quality soil, water them appropriately, and use green gardening strategies to keep the pests away. Grow organically to yield healthy herbs for your family.

My Spring Herb Garden Favorites

All of my choices listed below grow easily and have valuable herbal uses.

Echinacea

Flower tops are not only beautiful, they can be used to make a healthful tea. Further, echinacea is commonly used for respiratory infections and a sore throat. Plus, the pollinators love them. Click here to read more about what to plant for the hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies: Pollinator Plants.

Learn more about Echinacea: Echinacea Monograph

Lavender

Lavender is known for its relaxing aroma. Flower tops can be harvested to make a delicious tea or used as aromatic potpourri. Plus, an oil infusion can be made that is good for the skin.

Click here to learn more about lavender: Lavender Monograph

Rosemary

Rosemary can be used in cooking and as a healthful herb. I like to cut a fresh sprig of rosemary from my Spring herb garden to make a cup of rosemary tea. This aromatic delight helps with concentration.

Learn more about rosemary: Rosemary Monograph

Basil

Basil grows so very easily and tastes great in cooking. I love basil on my pizza, in my soup, and as a pesto. There are many varieties of basil.

Thyme

This is one of my favorite Spring herb garden plants. It grows easily. And, a small sprig brews a delicious and aromatic tea that is especially good for congestion. Plus, almost anything I cook for dinner tastes better with a few fresh thyme leaves.

Learn more about thyme: Thyme Monograph

Oregano

What would an Italian cooked dish be without oregano? As an herb, it is an antimicrobial powerhouse.

Read more about oregano: Oregano Monograph

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm tea tastes best when brewed with fresh as apposed to dried leaves. It is great for anxiety.

Learn more about lemon balm: Lemon Balm Monograph

Calendula

I really get excited when my calendula blooms and I can begin harvesting. First, I place the clean, dry blossoms into a mason jar, and cover them with a carrier oil, such as sweet almond. I Let it soak for a month, and then strain the plants to be left with the most amazing calendula infused oil. Great for the skin.

Learn more about calendula: Calendula monograph.

Rose

This lovely plant looks gorgeous and smells great. What more could you ask for? Multiple human studies have demonstrated that the smell of rose can help reduce the perception of pain. Plus, like calendula, its flowers can be infused in a carrier oil to make a luxurious rose infused oil.

Peppermint

Sometimes, I step out to my garden, and just eat a leaf or two of peppermint. I love the way it freshens my breathe. The leaves are also a must have for a great mojito. Watch out, this plant grows like a weed. I keep mine in a pot or container to reduce spreading.

Learn more about this amazing herb: Peppermint Monograph

Sage

My favorite thing to do with sage is to get some twine and make sage bundles. Why would I do that? Check out the blog in the link below.