Italian herbs in one section, including parsley, basil and oregano. One section was for my tea herb plants, such as anise, chamomile, fennel and peppermint. Another section had medicinal herb plants, such as aloe vera, horseradish and calendula. The last quarter had cosmetic herb plants like for lavender, chervil and lemon verbena that I used in soaps, lotions and shampoos.

It was a brilliant success that first year and I loved the experience, but in the second year, my mints took over and my chamomile crept away while my lavender died a painfully tragic sunlight-related death.

The second year was terrible because I hadn’t taken time to think about what my herbs needed most: the right dirt, the right kind of light and enough water.

While there are enough kinds of herb plants to grow outside to fill a hundred gardens, such as dill, rosemary, salvias, scented geranium and vervain before you begin your herb garden check out the optimal growing conditions that your herb plants will need. Each plant needs optimal conditions to thrive and prosper. Try herb plants like white willow, thyme, sage, poppies and lemon balm.

Plant these herbs for instant success:

• Basil: If you plant basil, you will be on easy street because basil won’t need much help from you. Basil requires full or part-sun and can grow in a bed or pot, as long as it has good drainage, which reminds me to mention that you will only need to water it when the dirt is dry. If you are going to be cooking with your basil, be sure to use the sweet basil kind of the herb for better results.

• Lemongrass: You can’t beat the smell of lemongrass. Whether you purchase it or cultivate it from seeds, this bright green, lemon-scented grass will add a spot of color to your garden and grow pretty tall in just one growing season. For best results, I recommend that you pick-up the plant rather than starting with seeds, and before you know it you’ll have another ingredient for your Indian and Thai dinners!

• Cilantro: I must admit that cilantro is my new favorite plant to raise in my garden and use in my cooking. Its distinctive flavor makes it an awesome addition to your Tex-Mex meals and it is easy to grow.

• Chamomile: To add some extra sparkle to your hanging baskets, use the German kind of this chamomile. Cut off a few of the leaves to use in your calming tea or even your bath for some added luxury. Its light, woody, apple scent is seductive to your senses, while its white petals with bright yellow centers remind me of happy little daisies, so how can you go wrong?

Now it is up to you to get going, with a little planning, you’ll be digging in the dirt in no time. Just don’t get bogged down with trying to be perfect about it—there is no such thing as perfect so just have fun with it.

Good luck with your herb gardening outside. Be sure to let me know how your herb garden grows.

Here is more information on Herb Garden Designs. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Herb Gardens.