How to Start Your Own Outdoor Herb Garden

Building Our Backyard Herb Garden

There’s something special about walking outside, snipping fresh herbs, and using them in your cooking. It’s the ultimate from-scratch experience—flavorful, fragrant, and deeply satisfying. My mouth waters thinking about fresh dill in chicken salad, parsley in my mom's parsley pasta (or "grass pasta" as my brother coined it when he was young), and cilantro in delicious homemade salsa and tacos. Recently, my husband, our daughter, and I decided to build our own backyard herb garden. And by “we,” I mean I had the vision, my husband did the heavy lifting, and our daughter supervised with the enthusiasm only a toddler can bring.

My husband first purchased plans for the outdoor her garden through etsy, https://www.etsy.com/listing/1264824245/diy-3-tier-raised-planter-box-plans and it was the perfect plans to create our herb garden. He then cut the wood, put together the boxes, painted them, and assembled them. Once that was complete he hauled bags of soil, built the frame, and made sure everything was level while I planned which herbs we’d grow. After the hard part was done (thanks, honey!), we made a family trip to our local feed store. Watching my daughter pick out tiny basil and rosemary plants with her little hands made my heart melt. We came home with a mix of classic herbs—basil, thyme, rosemary, parsley, and a few others to make it a complete garden.

Now, our little outdoor herb garden is thriving, and I can’t imagine cooking without it!

Why Grow Your Own Herbs?

If you’ve never had fresh-cut herbs in your cooking, you’re missing out. Store-bought herbs lose their potency fast, and those little plastic containers add up in cost. But growing your own? It’s cheaper, fresher, and gives you an endless supply of flavor at your fingertips. Here’s why you should start an herb garden, too:

Superior Flavor – Fresh herbs pack way more punch than dried ones.
Cost Savings – A single basil plant can replace countless grocery store bundles.
No Waste – Only cut what you need—no more sad, wilted herbs in the fridge.
Healthier & Organic – You control what goes into the soil and onto your plants.
Convenience – No last-minute runs to the store when you need fresh parsley.

How to Use Fresh Herbs in Your Cooking

I love having fresh herbs on hand because they add so much depth and vibrancy to meals. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use them:

Dips & Dressings – Fresh dill in homemade ranch, basil in pesto, or chives in sour cream dip.
Spice Up Meals – Toss chopped parsley on roasted potatoes, add fresh thyme to chicken, or mix rosemary into butter.
Baking with Herbs – I’m planning to use rosemary in bread and basil in focaccia soon!
Infused Oils & Vinegars – Let fresh herbs steep in olive oil or vinegar for an extra gourmet touch.

What Herbs Can and Can’t Grow Together?

If you’re growing herbs in a single container or raised bed, it’s important to know which ones play well together. Some herbs have different water or sunlight needs, while others compete for space.

Best Herb Companions

Basil, Parsley, and Cilantro – All love moisture and full sun.
Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage – Prefer drier soil and lots of sun.
Mint and Lemon Balm – These spread aggressively, so plant them separately.

Herbs to Keep Apart

Basil and Rosemary – Basil loves moisture, while rosemary prefers dry soil.
Mint and… Anything Else – Mint will take over if given the chance! Best kept in a pot. I totally avoided mint as I don't cook with it.
Dill and Carrots – They can cross-pollinate, affecting their flavor.

Tips for a Thriving Outdoor Herb Garden

Choose the Right Location – Most herbs love full sun (at least 6 hours a day).
Use Well-Draining Soil – Herbs hate soggy roots, so mix in sand or compost if needed.
Water Wisely – Mediterranean herbs (like rosemary and thyme) need less water than leafy ones (like basil and parsley).
Harvest Often – Frequent cutting encourages herbs to grow bushier and prevents flowering (which can make them bitter). This makes a massive difference!

Starting an outdoor herb garden has been one of my favorite food-related projects, and I love how much flavor it adds to our meals. Whether you have a big backyard or just a sunny windowsill, growing herbs is an easy way to bring freshness and nutrition into your cooking.

Are you growing herbs? What’s your favorite way to use them? Let me know in the comments!