I took a critical look at my new yard this spring and decided that one area could not wait until next year. I might be behind as far as the calendar is concerned, but I’ll take my chances with the summer heat in establishing the plants.

This pandemic and my impacted lifestyle affected my decision to convert a landscape eyesore into an herbal garden. I have grown herbs before and know that they can grow out of control. I want it to be a perennial garden, so in determining which plants to include, their growth-spread needs were a factor.

The eyesore area was almost bare. Not even any weeds were growing. The soil was almost cement-like. It needed amending to become a living contributor to plant life.

I have a favorite tool that I can jab into the ground while standing, then twist to break up the soil. I did a two-by-three-foot area and decided I should have it rototilled. I am not strong supporter of tilling the soil, as soil structure and underground support systems provide better support for plant growth. However, this soil is unproductive.

So, I cheated. I bought bags of amendments. Happily, I found bags of organic compost and of course, manure. I could not find vermiculite. I was ready for the tiller man but the rain and wet soil delayed him for two weeks. When he showed, he announced the soil was hard. This is where tongue-biting comes in. What I am thinking cannot come out of my mouth.

He “tilled” the top two inches and thought he was done! So, after a discussion, some pick-ax activity and another round of tilling, I accepted the work. The ground has been disturbed and loosened up to a depth of 4–5 inches now.

The bags got spread. My favorite tool twists the amendments in. The plants are ready to go in.

I selected herbs for their historic uses, perennial plants that have been used for centuries to make teas and tinctures as well as for flavoring foods. I love their smells. I will often cut whole stems, tie them together and hang them upside down in my home to dry the leaves out. My children will tell you stories of freshly cut herbs laid over any flat surface in the kitchen and dining room while I work through selecting, tying and hanging.

Some people tell you herbs are easy to grow. Well, if the location and soil are right for the plant, of course they are. For the most part, good drainage is paramount. So the four varieties of sage that I purchased are on a hot hill with very little shade. So far, that was a great decision for their location. They have doubled in size.

The amended area received two varieties each of parsley, rosemary, oregano and thyme. Cilantro is trying to grow. Basil seeds have been sprinkled everywhere.

In a moister area of the yard, receiving some shade throughout the day, I planted peppermint, spearmint and lemon balm. Catnip was added to a shady, dry hill. Time will tell how those locations support those varieties.

I always grow tomatoes, so this year I bought only heirlooms to place between the first-year herb plants. I will be able to save seeds from the fruit in the fall and be assured the plants from the saved seeds are just like this year’s plants. They went in in mid-June, a very late planting. Those of us with tomato history know that the plants that go into the ground in April need some pruning help in August to continue producing. I will be curious if these ones put in the ground during mid-June will need pruning, too.

After 10 days it is looking very promising. Each day the plants have been watered and so far I have lost only one tomato plant.