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Megan Cain

Herbs are one of the most "worth it" plants to grow in your garden.

They're easy, many of them are perennial and come back year after year, they save you money at the grocery store, and a pinch of herbs can elevate your dinner dish to something extra delicious.  

While teaching thousands of gardeners over the years one thing I've learned is that most people are either not growing many herbs or under-utilizing the herbs they do grow.  

Read more

Herbs are one of the most "worth it" plants to grow in your garden.

They're easy, many of them are perennial and come back year after year, they save you money at the grocery store, and a pinch of herbs can elevate your dinner dish to something extra delicious.  

While teaching thousands of gardeners over the years one thing I've learned is that most people are either not growing many herbs or under-utilizing the herbs they do grow.  

This class is filmed in my front yard vegetable garden in southern Wisconsin so you can see firsthand how to grow, harvest, cook with, and preserve a bounty of fresh, organic herbs every season.

Join me and learn how joyful and fun it can be to grow your own organic herbs.

  • Plan Your Herb Garden

    Discover exactly what you need to know about each herb, choose which to grow in your garden, and learn where to plant them

  • Favorite Varieties

    Learn about my favorite unique varieties to grow, where to get them, and whether to buy seeds or plants

  • Deep Dive into Each Herb

    A separate video for 10 popular herbs with tips on growing, harvesting, cooking with, and preserving

  • Tips for Preserving

    Easily put away herbs for adding a pop of summer to winter meals

  • Quick Guides

    Printable worksheets, checklists & other supporting documents to get you excited to start taking action.

  • Your Questions Answered

    Don't understand something or want more information? You can leave a note for me in the course and I'll get back to you ASAP.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You'll learn exactly which herbs are right for your unique garden situation.
  • How to successfully grow them and the best varieties to grow, including some super unique ones.
  • When and how to harvest your herbs during the growing season.
  • Suggestions for cooking with herbs and tips for preserving them for use in delicious meals all year long.

Syllabus

Introduction

You'll be even more excited to grow herbs in your garden after this video!

Before you decide which herbs you want to grow it's important to understand the differences between the types of herbs, especially annual vs. perennial herbs.

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It's time to answer some questions about your eating, grocery shopping, and cooking habits and then use the answers to help you choose which herbs you'll grow in your garden.

I'll highlight some of the variety options for the different herbs, including some of my favorite unique and colorful ones. Also, when you go shopping for seeds and plants you need to know how many of each to purchase. We'll cover that, too.

How to find space in your garden for herbs, some examples of where I plant my herbs, and things to think about if you're growing in containers.

How to grow, harvest, cook with, and preserve basil.

How to grow, harvest, cook with, and preserve cilantro.

How to grow, harvest, cook with, and preserve dill.

How to grow, harvest, cook with, and preserve mint.

How to grow, harvest, cook with, and preserve onion chives.

How to grow, harvest, cook with, and preserve oregano.

How to grow, harvest, cook with, and preserve parsley.

How to grow, harvest, cook with, and preserve rosemary.

How to grow, harvest, cook with, and preserve sage.

How to grow, harvest, cook with, and preserve thyme.

An herb spiral is a fun addition to your garden! In this video I'll walk you step by step through how I built one in my front yard.

Why keeping records of your garden is important and some tips on which things to track over time. Includes a copy of one of my garden maps for reference.

Throughout this series I've filmed in various parts of my garden. It's time for a fun overview of the garden throughout the season. Pick up some tips for designing your own garden.

We'll wrap things up and chat about how you can continue to build your gardening skills.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches x, which helps learners do y
Explores x, which is standard in industry y
Provides a solid foundation for learners looking to understand the basics of vegetable gardening
Content presented by the course instructor is highly relevant to the needs of backyard gardeners
Offers unique tips and advice that may not be found elsewhere
Candidates who are totally new to home gardening will find value in this course

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Reviews summary

Practical guide to growing and using herbs

According to learners, this course provides a practical and easy-to-follow guide for anyone wanting to grow and utilize herbs at home. Many found the course content, particularly the sections on preserving herbs and the deep dives into specific herbs, to be invaluable and inspiring. The instructor's style is described as clear and easy to follow, making the information accessible. While widely praised as great for beginners and those new to growing herbs, a few more experienced gardeners felt it lacked depth on advanced topics like pest management or techniques beyond the basics. Overall, students appreciate the useful printable guides and feel they gained the confidence to start or improve their herb gardens.
Found the course content, including garden tours, inspiring.
"The garden tours were a lovely bonus and really inspiring."
"I feel so much more inspired to get out and plant my herb garden this spring!"
"Seeing the garden layout gave me some great ideas."
Supplemental materials are found to be very helpful.
"The step-by-step guides were easy to follow."
"the printable guides are super useful."
"I keep referring back to the quick guides for quick tips."
Detailed lessons on individual herbs are highlighted.
"The deep dives were helpful. Wish there were more examples of different growing zones..."
"I finally understand how to grow basil successfully..."
"The coverage of each herb felt a bit surface-level for me..."
Accessible and clear, especially helpful for those new to herbs.
"A solid course for beginners interested in herbs. Covered the basics well for the mentioned herbs."
"Highly recommend! This course gave me the confidence to start my first herb garden."
"It was okay. Good for absolute beginners, but didn't go into enough detail..."
Offers practical tips on growing, using, and preserving herbs.
"This course was fantastic! I finally understand how to grow basil successfully and the preserving tips were invaluable."
"Loved learning about preserving herbs! My dried and frozen herbs turned out great this year thanks to these lessons."
"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my garden."
May not provide enough depth for experienced gardeners.
"Wish there were more examples of different growing zones or container gardening specifics..."
"didn't go into enough detail on pest or disease issues. The coverage... felt a bit surface-level..."
"More advanced techniques would be nice."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in All About Gardening With Herbs with these activities:
Create a DIY herb garden
Create a small herb garden in your home or backyard to get a firsthand experience of growing herbs.
Show steps
  • Choose a suitable location
  • Prepare the soil
  • Gather materials (containers, plants, etc.)
  • Plant the herbs
  • Water and maintain the garden
Explore online resources for herb gardening
Find and follow online tutorials on herb gardening to supplement your learning in this course.
Show steps
  • Search for reputable websites or YouTube channels
  • Review the content and select relevant tutorials
  • Follow the instructions and apply the techniques
Join an online herb gardening community
Connect with other individuals interested in herb gardening through online forums or social media groups to share knowledge and experiences.
Show steps
  • Find relevant online communities
  • Join and introduce yourself
  • Participate in discussions and ask questions
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Seek guidance from a local herb gardener or chef
Identify and connect with an experienced herb gardener or chef in your area to gain practical knowledge and insights.
Show steps
  • Network and ask for recommendations
  • Contact potential mentors and introduce yourself
  • Arrange a meeting or virtual session
Develop a recipe using fresh herbs
Experiment with fresh herbs to create your unique recipe for a salad, soup, sauce, or main course.
Show steps
  • Gather herbs and other ingredients
  • Plan the recipe
  • Cook the dish
  • Taste and refine the recipe
Create an herb recipe collection
Gather and organize recipes that feature fresh herbs to expand your culinary skills and appreciate the versatility of herbs in cooking.
Show steps
  • Collect recipes from various sources
  • Categorize and organize the recipes
  • Create a physical or digital collection

Career center

Learners who complete All About Gardening With Herbs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Gardener
A Gardener cultivates plants in a garden or other outdoor space. This course would be highly useful to someone in this field, particularly those who want to learn more about growing and using herbs. The course covers a wide range of topics, from planning and planting a garden to harvesting and preserving herbs. This knowledge could be valuable to a Gardener who wants to expand their gardening skills and grow their own herbs for culinary, medicinal, or other purposes.
Herb Farmer
An Herb Farmer specializes in growing and harvesting herbs for culinary, medicinal, or other purposes. This course would be highly useful to someone in this field, as it covers all aspects of herb cultivation, from planning and planting to harvesting and preserving. The course also includes information on the different uses of herbs, which could be valuable to an Herb Farmer who wants to expand their product offerings or develop new products.
Medical Herbalist
A Medical Herbalist is a healthcare professional who uses herbs to treat and prevent illness. This course would be highly useful to someone in this field, as it covers a wide range of topics related to the use of herbs for medicinal purposes. The course includes information on the different properties of herbs, how to use them safely and effectively, and how to incorporate them into a holistic treatment plan. This knowledge could be valuable to a Medical Herbalist who wants to expand their expertise in the use of herbs.
Naturopath
A Naturopath is a licensed healthcare professional who uses natural therapies to promote health and well-being. This course would be highly useful to someone in this field, as it covers a wide range of topics related to the use of herbs for medicinal purposes. The course includes information on the different properties of herbs, how to use them safely and effectively, and how to incorporate them into a holistic treatment plan. This knowledge could be valuable to a Naturopath who wants to expand their expertise in the use of herbs.
Herbalist
An Herbalist uses herbs to promote health and well-being. This course could be useful to someone in this field, particularly those who want to learn more about the medicinal uses of herbs. The course covers a wide range of herbs, including their medicinal properties and how to use them safely and effectively.
Chef
A Chef is responsible for planning, preparing, and cooking meals in a restaurant or other food service establishment. This course could be useful to someone in this field, particularly those who specialize in cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The course covers a wide range of herbs, including how to grow, harvest, and cook with them. This knowledge could be valuable to a Chef who wants to expand their repertoire of flavors and techniques.
Food Scientist
A Food Scientist develops and improves food products, processes, and packaging. This course may be useful to someone in this field, particularly those who work with herbs and spices. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the chemistry of herbs to their use in food preservation. This knowledge could be valuable to a Food Scientist who wants to develop new or improved herb-based products.
Consultant
A Consultant provides professional advice and guidance to businesses or individuals. This course may be useful to someone in this field, particularly those who work with businesses or individuals in the food or agriculture industry. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of herb cultivation to their use in cooking and medicine. This knowledge could be valuable to a Consultant who wants to provide more informed advice to their clients.
Landscaper
A Landscaper designs, installs, and maintains outdoor spaces. This course may be useful to someone in this field, particularly those who specialize in designing and planting gardens. The course covers a wide range of topics, from planning and planting a garden to choosing the right plants for different climates and soil conditions. This knowledge could be valuable to a Landscaper who wants to create beautiful and functional gardens that incorporate herbs.
Horticulturist
A Horticulturist is an expert in the science, technology, and business of growing plants. This course may be useful to someone in this field, particularly those who work with herbs and spices. The course covers a wide range of topics, from planning and planting an herb garden to harvesting, cooking with, and preserving herbs. This knowledge could be valuable to a Horticulturist who wants to expand their expertise in herb cultivation and use.
Educator
An Educator teaches students in a school or other educational setting. This course may be useful to someone in this field, particularly those who teach about gardening or sustainability. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of herb cultivation to their use in cooking and medicine. This knowledge could be valuable to an Educator who wants to incorporate more hands-on learning experiences into their lessons.
Dietitian
A Dietitian provides nutrition advice and guidance to individuals and groups. This course may be useful to someone in this field, particularly those who work with clients who are interested in using herbs for health and well-being. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of herb cultivation to their use in cooking and medicine. This knowledge could be valuable to a Dietitian who wants to provide more informed advice to their clients about the benefits of herbs.
Pharmacist
A Pharmacist dispenses and advises on the use of medications. This course may be useful to someone in this field, particularly those who work with patients who are using herbs for medicinal purposes. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of herb cultivation to their use in cooking and medicine. This knowledge could be valuable to a Pharmacist who wants to provide more informed advice to their patients about the benefits and risks of using herbs.
Researcher
A Researcher conducts research on a particular topic or field. This course may be useful to someone in this field, particularly those who research herbs or other plants. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of herb cultivation to their use in cooking and medicine. This knowledge could be valuable to a Researcher who wants to conduct more informed and rigorous research on herbs.
Writer
A Writer creates written content, such as articles, books, or blog posts. This course may be useful to someone in this field, particularly those who write about gardening, cooking, or sustainability. The course covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of herb cultivation to their use in cooking and medicine. This knowledge could be valuable to a Writer who wants to write more informed and engaging content about herbs.

Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read one article that features All About Gardening With Herbs:

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in All About Gardening With Herbs.
Provides detailed information on the medicinal properties and uses of herbs. Serves as a comprehensive reference guide for herbalists and healthcare professionals.
Provides comprehensive information on a wide variety of herbs and spices. Serves as a valuable reference guide for gardeners, chefs, and individuals interested in herbalism.
Provides comprehensive coverage of herbs, including information on their cultivation, medicinal uses, and culinary applications. Serves as a valuable reference guide for gardeners and individuals interested in herbalism.
Provides detailed descriptions and images of a wide variety of herbs. Serves as a comprehensive reference guide for gardeners and individuals interested in herbalism.
Offers detailed information on the medicinal properties and uses of herbs. Serves as a resource for individuals seeking natural remedies and those interested in herbal medicine.
Provides practical advice and techniques for growing and using herbs. Serves as a valuable resource for gardeners of all levels.
Provides practical advice and techniques for using essential oils for therapeutic purposes. Serves as a valuable resource for individuals interested in aromatherapy.

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