As far as herb gardens go, rosemary is a wonderful addition. It looks beautiful and has a huge variety of handy uses. While many home gardeners will start with a small rosemary plant or cuttings, it’s also possible to grow rosemary from seed. It might take some patience and multiple attempts, but it's also wildly rewarding, as well as a great way to add some height and beauty to your outdoor garden. Learn how to start a rosemary plant from seed, as told by a gardening expert. How to Start Rosemary Seeds As Denise Pizzini, the owner of Damsel Garden, points out, growing rosemary is very doable. Just keep in mind, if you’re a beginner, it might require some trial and error—or at the very least, some patience. Start Indoors To begin, start your rosemary indoors. If you live in a region known for cold winters, Pizzini suggests growing in containers so you can bring your plants indoors when the temps drop. This is because rosemary is native to the Mediterranean, so it does best in warmer climates. “We start ours in open flats at least 10-12 weeks before planting outside, after the danger of frost has passed,” Pizzini says. Place Seeds Evenly Using quality germination mix and a small tray with drainage holes, Pizzini says the soil should be moist (but not soggy) to start. Press seeds into place evenly as opposed to poking a deep hole, she says. This is so you can easily transport your seedlings into a larger container, but also because rosemary seeds need light to germinate. This means you should cover the seeds lightly with soil or not at all. Wait 14-21 Days Once your seeds are planted, Pizzini says to mist the seeds to help them make better contact with the soil. From here, germination should take place within two to three weeks. Transplanting Rosemary Outdoors Once you’ve nurtured your seeds into seedlings, it’s almost time to transport them. Pizzini says the key here is to wait until they have at least four true leaves—then, they’re ready to be put into pots. While you could attempt to keep your rosemary inside, Pizzini says mature rosemary is best grown outdoors—but that doesn’t mean it requires a ton of space. "Your container rosemary will thrive in a sunny window if you keep soil evenly moist,” she says. 5 Tips for Growing Rosemary from Seed Give your rosemary lots of light. When you’re just getting started, Pizzini says plastic domes can be extremely useful for germinating your rosemary seeds. It helps to keep moisture levels even while you wait for seeds to wake up, she says. Once your seeds have germinated, remove the dome to avoid dampening off. Feed and water accordingly. Pizzini says rosemary isn’t the plant you want to overwater or overfeed. Striking an even balance here is the best way to keep your plant’s roots healthy and happy. Use the right soil. Rosemary can also be sensitive to soil types. It likes loamy soil, so make sure your container mix is not heavy and offers good drainage, Pizzini says. Mimic Mother Nature. Before moving your seedlings, Pizzini says you can help your seedlings adjust to fluctuating temperatures by mimicking nature. Place them in the direct sun and ensure they get 8 hours of shade, too, just like they would outside. Mist or bottom water. Because rosemary doesn’t do well when overwatered, Pizzini suggests misting or bottom watering your plants using a bottom tray. This will help you avoid displacing seeds. Maintenance Tips for Your Rosemary Plant Once your seedlings are strong and ready, it's time to transfer and keep them happy. Pizzini suggests spacing multiple rosemary plants at least one foot apart and avoiding over-watering. Rosemary can be sensitive—it loves careful watering and a lot of sunlight. Wait patiently. It takes 85-90 days to get young, tender tips for your culinary needs and 120-180 days if you want to harvest and make bunches.

Mint plants (Mentha spp.) are known for growing quickly and abundantly. While mint is beloved for its aromatic leaves, which can be used for cooking, aromatherapy, soaps, and more, the popular and fragrant perennial herb is vigorous and notoriously invasive if not planted and cared for properly. When planted directly in the ground, mint can spread easily via underground rhizomes. Once it's planted, mint can be very difficult to get rid of entirely. The best way to control mint's spread and keep it growing healthy is to grow it in a container and practice preventative maintenance such as selective harvesting and pruning. If you're growing mint in your garden, it's important to keep the plants in check by pruning and harvesting them regularly. Follow the tips below to learn how and when to harvest mint for peak flavor and health. When to Harvest Mint You can harvest mint leaves at any point of the plant's life, but the optimal time is once the mint plant has multiple stems that are at least 6 to 8 inches long. If you are growing a mint plant from seed, this timing should be about two months after sowing, and even less time if you planted a more developed seedling that you purchased from a plant nursery or farmers' market. The leaves and stems of a mint plant should be harvested before the plant goes to flower, usually right before summer. This is when the minty flavor will be at its peak; the leaves tend to take on a bitter flavor once the plant begins to flower. Your mint harvest will also be more aromatic and flavorful if you pick the mint stems and leaves in the morning, before the dew has a change to evaporate in the summer sun. As a rule of thumb, do not harvest more than a third of the mint plant at a time. Removing too much can significantly weaken the plant and impact its future growth. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best-growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! Why Mint Needs to Be Cut If left to its own devices, mint will easily and quickly take over your yard or garden (and even your neighbor's yard and garden). When you cut back mint, it can help prevent this rapid spread. Pruning mint regularly also helps keep a mint plant healthy—encouraging it to grow full and bushy—and prevent it from flowering and going to seed. When growing mint in your garden, it's important to cut vertical shoots as well as horizontally growing stolons, also known as a runner. If you don't cut both parts of the mint plant, it will quickly crowd out other plants in your garden bed. Once a mint plant starts to bolt, the plant's energy starts going towards producing blooms and seeds. Cutting the flowers off can prevent the plant from shifting into reproductive mode, instead encouraging more leaf growth and reducing the risk of it spreading to areas where it's unwanted. How to Harvest Mint Once established, mint plants can be harvested at any time. To start, find a pair of sharp pruning shears or scissors. Wipe them down with an alcohol wipe to ensure they are clean and free of disease. Using sharp, clean pruning shears, snip a mint stem right above a leaf node. Always cut off whole stems rather than individual leaves, as this will encourage a bushier growth habit. Rinse and dry the mint. Wrap it in a damp paper towel and store in a plastic bag in the fridge. To air-dry your harvested mint, tie the mint sprigs and hang upside down to dry in a cool, dry place. Tip The methods you use to harvest mint plants matters. To encourage full, bushy growth in your mint plant, make sure you are cutting back the stems just above where two leaves join the stem, called a node. If you just pluck away one mint leaf at a time, this will weaken the plant. By cutting above a node, you will encourage new shoots to grow faster and fuller. How to Prune Mint for Flowering Generally, mint plants are grown for their aromatic leaves. However, if you want to encourage your mint plant to flower, sunlight is key, as it stimulates mint flowering. To get mint plants to flower, you want to provide the plant with their desired conditions. In addition to sunlight, mint prefers temperatures between 65°F–70°F and soil that is kept moist. If you care for your mint plant properly, it will continue to produce new shoots and flowers through autumn. Most mint varieties have two blooming periods: early summer and late summer. The first flowering period typically takes place from June to July. If you cut back those flowers, the plant will undergo a second flowering period from August to September.

Looking for another edible edition to your garden? Pepper plants are a winning choice. With a range of low-maintenance varieties available and a pepper to suit every garden size and tastebud preference, you'll quickly be able to grow your own harvest. As with any new crop in the garden, there are helpful tips and care requirements worth understanding that'll make the process easier for you, leading to more peppers and fewer stressful days trying to communicate with a not-so-happy plant. Once you've settled on your fruit (or veggie to some) of choice, brush up your knowledge on these tips and care pointers, below. Your Quick Guide for Growing Peppers Give peppers at least six hours of full light each day Plant peppers in slightly acidic soil that's warm and moist Grow peppers after the last frost so they stay warm and healthy Peppers can take up to three months to be ripe and ready for harvesting Pick peppers based on what ripeness looks like for their variety Which Peppers Should You Grow? Excited by the thought of growing a peck of peppers? Start by choosing the right variety. Zahid Adnan, gardening expert and founder of The Plant Bible, recommends starting with versatile varieties like bell peppers, jalapeños, or Anaheim peppers. "They're relatively easy to grow and offer a spectrum of flavors and heat levels," he says. Starting Peppers From Seed Growing peppers from seed isn't too difficult and is one of the more popular ways, aside from transplanting or buying young plants. The best indication of when you can start peppers from seeds will come from the last frost date in your area. Adnan says you can plant the seeds indoors eight to 10 weeks before the last frost date. Gather small containers for the seeds and push them down into warm and moist seed starting mix. (He says to aim for a temperature between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit). This gives them time to start cultivating before they're brought outside. Planting Peppers Whether you've planted from seed or are planning to transplant, you'll likely want to bring your pepper plants outside for the best chance of survival and the most comfortable life. "Once seedlings have developed true leaves, transplant them into larger pots or directly into the garden after all danger of frost has passed," says Adnan. After planting, you can expect peppers to start fruiting and reach maturity between 65 and 85 days depending on the care they receive and the variety of pepper, according to Adnan. Caring for Peppers Once your peppers are in the ground, they won't ask for anything too strenuous—most varieties are relatively easy plants to grow and cultivate. By ensuring they get the light, water, and soil necessary for them to thrive, you can have a healthy harvest in a few months. Outside of the basics, Adnan notes to be aware of how your variety of pepper grows. While some stay lower to the ground, taller varieties will need some kind of trellis or stake. This supports them as they grow and will prevent breakage under the weight of fruit. Light Peppers love sunlight, whether planted in a bed or in containers on your deck. Adnan says they should be positioned to receive at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. While they love sun, just be conscious of any recently pruned areas that may not be used to that level of exposure and can burn or leave room for the fruits to burn. Soil Peppers do best in slightly acidic soil—a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 is ideal. Soil should drain well and stay warm as they grow, hence why post-frost planting is important. This is particularly important for pepper plants and seeds that have been sown or transplanted. As for fertilization? Adnan says the occasional sprinkling of a balanced fertilizer is okay. Too much can boost the look of the leaves but hinder fruit production. Watering Balanced watering is important, too. Adnan says regular watering is important for keeping the soil moist. Ensure that you distribute it evenly across the pepper patch or pot and it's not funneling to just one part of the soil. Moisture is key, but be careful not to overwater. "Mulching around the base of the plants can help retain moisture and suppress weeds," he adds. Pepper Problems & How to Fix Them Peppers can run into a few issues while they're growing. These are the most common pests and diseases that can afflict your plants and how to deal with them. Pests The most common pests that go after peppers, according to Adnan, are aphids, flea beetles, and pepper maggots—the latter being fly larvae that specifically target peppers1 by burrowing into the fruit. Adnan says the best way to defend your plants is through frequent monitoring and using insecticidal soap or neem oil to combat infestations. Plant Diseases There are a handful of diseases that peppers are capable of developing. These include bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, and phytophthora blight. While they may sound disastrous, preventing them is fairly straightforward. Adnan says to focus on measures such as crop rotation, proper spacing, and avoiding overhead watering. Harvesting Peppers As mentioned, peppers can take a couple of months to appear on your plant. It will depend on the pepper variety, but when the fruit has fully become its intended color and size and has a glossy sheen, they're likely ready to be plucked. If you're worried about pepper picking influencing the growth rate, Adnan is here to ease your concerns. He notes regular harvesting can encourage your plant to produce more fruit.