Soil Preparation for Herbs

Proper soil preparation is essential for growing herbs successfully. All herbs require well-drained soil and moisture, but they cannot tolerate soggy soil.

NOTE: This is part 4 in a series of 9 articles. For a complete background on how to grow herbs, we recommend starting from the beginning.

When preparing the soil for herbs, ensure it is well-draining and has organic matter incorporated. Most herbs prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. If your soil is too acidic, you can add lime to raise the pH. Additionally, herbs can be grouped according to their water requirements.

Herbs that prefer wet soil include basil, chives, cilantro, dill, ginger, lemon balm, lemon grass, mint, Monarda (Bee balm), patchouli, and parsley. These herbs require moist soil and can be damaged with excessive drought.

Herbs that prefer dry soil include chamomile, lavender, lemon verbena, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme. These herbs are more drought tolerant and prefer to dry more between water applications.

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Tools & Supplies for Herbs