Herb Garden Plans for Small Spaces

Select plants for herb garden plans that are favorites for culinary, medicinal or craft uses, and you'll be supplied with an ongoing supply; the more you pick, the more they continue to produce.

Provide Basic Needs

As long as you they have the proper soil, water, and four to six hours of sun each day, herbs can thrive in the tightest of spaces.

They can be planted close together in a small bed, as picking continuously keeps them compact. And if they still become overcrowded, they're easy to divide.

Herbs in the Patio or Walk

Many herb gardens are deliberately planned around a stone patio or within cracks in paths.

When placing stones or laying a path, leave spaces between the bricks, stones or pavers, work the soil in between, and plant low-growing herbs like thyme and chamomile.

Their fragrance will be released as you walk on them, further adding to their beauty and functionality.

For an existing patio, chip away the edges of some stones and dig into the soil with a metal dowel or hand cultivator to break up the soil. Create a pocket about three inches deep for the plant.

Herbs in Raised Beds

Raised beds are very popular for intensive planting of herbs. Create a simple box two feet wide, six feet long and one foot tall and pack in a culinary garden.

You can grow almost two dozen plants of thyme, chives, parsley, dill, basils, oregano and rosemary in this group. Place taller plants on the northern side to avoid shadowing smaller ones.

Position it in a sunny location near the kitchen door, and you'll have access to a steady supply of fresh cooking herbs.

Among the more popular styles of herb garden plans are multi-level planter boxes. A three-by-three foot wooden box with two additional levels can easily accommodate over a dozen herbs.

Fill the lowest level with soil, stagger the smaller second box and fill, and then stagger the third. You'll have nine divided spaces in which to plant larger herbs or multiples of the same.

Consider fennel, cilantro and sage in addition to other kitchen herbs, or try a combination of medicinal or craft herbs.

Herbs in Smaller Containers

If you're really limited on space, try strawberry pots, window boxes, plant stands with multiple pots, whiskey barrels or hanging baskets for your herb garden.

Since they are fairly drought tolerant, they won't dry out as quickly as flowering plants. Just provide adequate sun and drainage and you'll have a bounty of fresh herbs.

With the variety of herb garden plans available, every garden can accommodate at least a few herbs. The flavor, aroma and health benefits are worth finding a spot for a few.