Enhance the Soil

Herbs are some of the least picky of plants when it comes to soil type, but likewise they enjoy good soil if available, and good drainage is a serious must for herbs to really thrive.  All soil can be enhanced by amending it with organic material to make it nutrient rich and enhance drainage, so always prepare your soil before planting.  Soil conditions will vary by region of the country – and to a local level down to your exact house – soil may even vary from the front of your home to the backyard. We recommend adding a LOT of organic material, from peat moss to composted manure or organic soils - all easily found at the garden center.  There are many types of organic matter to use.  If growing herbs in containers, a good complete commercial potting soil is all you need to use.  This is also a good time to add a balanced, timed release fertilizer like a 14-14-14 to get the plants off to a good start. Common sense must prevail at this point. If you are adding a lot of composted manure as your organic matter then you may add less time release food as the composted manure will add nutrients, if your organic matter is more peat moss or aged compost, then add the full dose of time release.

Where to Plant

Choose a site appropriate for the plant. This information is generally included on the tag and/or on the VIVA! pot information panels, such as sun or shade, and the size of the plant at maturity.  With only rare exceptions, herbs prefer full sun.

Prepare a Hole

A rule of thumb for preparing a hole for your plant is to make the hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the size of the container the plant is in. You will then backfill in around the plant with the amended, loose soil.

Prepare the Roots

Gently remove the plant from the container and examine the roots. If they are extremely wrapped around and around the root ball, carefully tease them apart to loosen them up from the root ball. This will give them a better start in their new soil.

Settle the Plant

Always place the plant in the soil at the same level it was in the pot. This means that when the plant is in the ground (or new container for that matter), what was the top of the soil in the pot should still be even with the top of the soil in the new location.  In most cases burying the stem or crown of a plant will harm or kill it.

Add More Soil

Gently firm the soil in place around the plant to remove any large air pockets or spaces. Create a water basin by making a raised mound of soil a few inches tall all around the perimeter of the new hole. This will serve as a dam to hold a few inches of water around the plant when it is watered, providing a good, thorough soaking. Fill the basin making sure to soak the new soil as well as the existing root ball; if water soaks in fairly quick, re-fill the basin again.

Watering Practices

Herbs fall into two general categories: woody and herbaceous.  Woody types such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage tend to need less water and are generally somewhat drought tolerant when more mature and established.  Herbaceous or succulent types like basil, mints, parsley and cilantro need more frequent watering and prefer having their soil just slightly moist at all times.