My First Herb Garden: A Simple 5-Herb Garden I’d Build Again
If you have never grown herbs before, start here. This simple setup is easy to build, easy to maintain, and gives you herbs you will actually use.
The five herbs I’d start with
Fast growing. Useful. Rewarding.
Versatile. Forgiving. Useful in dozens of meals.
One of the easiest herbs you will ever grow.
Low maintenance. Great fresh or dried.
Compact. Hardy. Useful all season.
Before you start
Keep it small. The biggest beginner mistake is trying to build a giant herb garden right away.
For your first herb garden:
- 5 containers
- or one 4x4 raised bed
Five healthy herbs will teach you more than twenty struggling ones.
Where to put it:
- near the kitchen
- near the patio
- somewhere you will see every day
Build it in one afternoon
The first month
Beginner mistakes
| Mistake | Better approach |
|---|---|
| Too many herbs | Start with 5 |
| Tiny pots | Use larger containers |
| Hidden location | Put them where you’ll see them |
| Forgetting to harvest | Clip a little every week |
| Growing mint with everything | Give mint its own pot |
If you only remember five things:
- start small
- grow basil, parsley, chives, oregano, and thyme
- put them near the kitchen
- harvest often
- do not overthink it
What to read next
This page should make your first herb garden feel easier, not bigger.
If you are enjoying the Herb Hub, you can also get new herb guides, backyard ideas, projects, and updates from around the yard.