The best time to plant a herb garden is at the end of the summer
The best time to plant a herb garden is in September, at the end of the summer. At that time, the soil is still warm and the seeds can take root before the growing season starts.
Some herbs, such as chives, rosemary and thyme, are hardy and can be left outside in winter. Other herbs, such as basil, do not survive. So it is better to put basil inside the kitchen on the windowsill in winter.
Most herbs like sun
Many herbs come from Mediterranean areas and want to be in the (full) sun. Tarragon, thyme, sage, oregano and basil for example. Other herbs, such as parsley, chives and rosemary, prefer to stand in the half-shadow. There are herbs that even do well in the shade, like lemon balm and mint. But in the end it is true for mint that in the sun the most compact growth and the most intense colour, smell and taste will develop.
Some herbs you better not put together
Some herbs you better do not put together because they cross each other. An example is the combination dill-fennel. The resulting plants have much less taste than dill or fennel on their own.
Do you want to put herbs in one pot or container? Do not combine sun-lovers with shade-loving herbs. You can put perennial herbs (herbs that come back every year) such as mint, rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano and lemon balm together. But do find out if they survive the winter outside. Here you find more information about different kinds of herbs.