The aroma of fresh herbs makes everything so much better in the kitchen, but the price tag on a few sprigs at the grocery store may be very steep. Since this week (April 13) is International Plant Appreciation Day and we are coming up to the peak season of herb gardening in May-June, I think it is time to talk about an herb garden. With a few simple steps you can do it yourself!

WHERE TO PLANT: IN YOUR KITCHEN OR OUTDOORS

Location is key to a successful herb garden. Majority of plants will need lots of sunlight and humidity. Others will be partial to filtered sunlight, and others will like dry ground. How do you know what your herbs need in terms of light and moisture? It's very simple - look at the directions on the seed packets. Dill, Basil, Thyme, Chives, Oregano, Rosemary and Tarragon thrive on bright full sunlight. Some others (Mint, Chervil) will exist fine on partial sunlight.

The rule of thumb, however, is that the more sun and moisture, the better your herbs will grow. That is why my pick for an herb garden will always be outside, outdoors. Other advantages to having your garden outdoors:

• Herb garden is beautiful and peaceful area for your backyard. You can set the circle or square beds, by color or by scent, add a small fountain or stone in the middle, lay out brick or stone paths towards it, add a small bench and you got a nice place to relax by. You can vary the garden with the annuals, adding new herbs each year.
• Without sounding too much like a hippie, herbs were created outdoors, they are outdoor creatures. They will get the needed sunlight and better humidity outdoors than in the dry air conditions of centrally heated homes. Outdoors you have the luxury of planting the seeds where they will like it best and adding plants to shade them if necessary.
• Herbs are very social and don′t really need to have their own place. Tuck a few herb seeds or plants in the existing garden beds and they will spread very quickly. Some herbs are perfect for growing in the vegetable garden, with convenient harvesting and the potential for self-seeding. Plus, many herbs like basil and dill are more convenient if they are near the vegetables they will be cooked with. That is of course, if you don′t mind mixing the plants.
• Most herbs will require a large (minimum 12″) area or pot if you want your herb garden to be practical — these pots are harder to keep up on your windowsill.
• Tending to your garden outdoors, just like any gardening activity, is an excellent way to relax and clear your mind.

There are certain advantages to having the herb garden indoors:

• It is there year-round, as long as you got adequate light and humidity (best found by a well-insulated window).
• When you see the garden in your kitchen, you are more likely to use fresh herbs in your cooking, which is great for you. Isn′t it nice to have your herbs there 24/7 all year at a much better price than your local grocery store?
• Just like outdoors, herbs can make your windowsill very picturesque and fragrant.
• If you live in a cold area and have a nice outdoor herb garden, you can also pot up divisions to bring inside for the winter. Try to do it about a month before the first frost. Pot up a division and tie a piece of cheesecloth around the pot and base to keep insects from entering the pot until it′s time to bring it in. Don′t worry if some of the leaves do not survive indoors, it is normal for certain plants; the herb will still be fine.

The best candidates for windowsill growing are chives, parsley, thyme, sage, oregano, and basil. If you are a tea lover, also consider chamomile, lavender and mint. I would recommend using one of the many available gardening kits, such as AeroGarden Pro 100 with Gourmet Herb Seed Kit, for an indoor herb garden to take the guess work out of it.

WHAT TO PLANT

First, decide on your herbs. How will you use them? Is it mostly for cooking? Are there particular herbs you use the most in your cooking? Or is it for fun or for the fragrance? Your answer will tell you which herbs you should start with. Whatever you do, start small and then slowly add more with experience. You can find more ideas on various herbs and their flavors and uses on the CNN's Herb & Spice Chart.

Then, go searching for your seeds. Here are some ideas on where you can find them:

• Local nurseries. You can find them in your phonebook or online
• Home centers (Home Depot, Lowe′s, Ace) in the gardening area
• Farmer′s markets
• Local Botanic gardens — check if they have special events where you can buy seeds and explore gardening classes
• Your local supermarket (in the seed or gardening isle)
• On the web — you can find almost anything on Amazon and eBay

WHEN TO PLANT

Herbs do not like extremes, so check your weather to find the warm and humid season. In the South, plant in late summer or early fall (September) to avoid major heat. If you are in the Midwest, plant in late spring (May-June) when the ground is warm and frost-free. Packaging instructions on your seed packets will refer to your "zone."

HOW TO PLANT

• Carefully read the packaging instructions on your seed packets to determine where and how to plant herb.
• Find the spot best suited for each herb (bright lit, dry or other)
• Prepare the ground or pot. Add a little water to create enough moisture (unless your herbs need a very dry environment).
• Plant the seeds in the ground or clay pot (depending if it is indoors our out). Make sure there is not excessive moisture or dryness — keep the garden watered more frequently if your area gets a lot of sunlight.
• Check the soil frequently and water as needed. The pH level should be neutral. You may need to add some Soil Moist for indoor pots to keep the moisture. It′s a good idea to keep the pots away from heating vents not to over-dry them. Outdoors, try not to over-water and protect the herbs from the elements with a small fence. Also check on drainage to ensure water is getting deep enough.
• Weed frequently to keep your garden attractive and clear of unwanted plants.
• Just like any garden, tend to it well, and it will grow well. And be patient, some plants may take a few weeks.

Beware not to plant too much. Herbs propagate very quickly. You will be surprised how much can come out of a single plant!

THEY ARE FOR COOKING!

Many herbs can be for looks, aroma or medicinal purposes. But I like them in my food! You can use your herbs fresh in many recipes — visit CafeYak Food for some recipe ideas.

Dry herbs are a staple at supermarkets, but with your herb garden you can dry them yourself. Dry the herbs in a cool dry area and store in paper bags until ready to use; then move to a pot of water.

You can also preserve the herbs for soups, stews, casseroles and pesto in the winter time — just chop up the herbs individually, place them in ice cube trays, cover with some water and freeze. Some herbs (dill, thyme, tarragon) are better preserved if you use boiling water in the ice cubes — this will soak in the fresh flavor. Other herbs (cilantro, chervil) are best frozen in oil. When you use the ice cubes later on, remember to thaw them first, so your recipe is not runny. Enjoy!