| I was just wondering when would be the best time to plant herbs? And what to start them in a pot or the garden? |
| Herbs do extremely well in Arizona. Almost every type of herb will grow here, but you need to know when to plant them. We have two growing seasons, a cool and a warm season, when different herbs (as well as veggies and flowers) thrive. I suggest preparing your soil by adding lots of compost and just get it ready for the cool planting season, which starts around late September or so with plants growing through April/May. The warm season planting starts in Feb/March and plants go until the heat, or some go through the summer. Herbs take full sun here. Many herbs are native to the Mediterranean, which has hot, sunny, dry conditions as well. If you've never gardened before, you might want to start with 4-inch transplants and try some seeds. Cilantro, parsley and dill germinate easily. They are all cool-season herbs. A good reference book that contains planting calendars for the low desert is called "Desert Gardening for Beginners: How to Grow Vegetables, Flowers and Herbs in an Arid Climate." ISBN 0-9651987-2-3. The Arizona Herb Association is a great group of gardeners who love sharing their expertise. They also sell herb plants and seeds at their meetings. www.azherb.org Best wishes with your new herb garden! |
