Bland stored food is how people quit eating enough. Herbs fix that and treat a dozen small ailments.

Sow

Perennials in April. Dill and cilantro every 3 weeks. Mint in a bottomless bucket or it owns the county.

Spacing

12 in. Rosemary against a south foundation — it is borderline here and wants that wall.

Days

Cut as soon as they can spare a stem.

Harvest

Just as they start to flower, morning, after dew. Hang in paper bags.

Store

Dry, dark jars. Don’t crush until you use them.

Seed

Dill and cilantro will do it for you. Sage and thyme from cuttings.

Companions

Everywhere. Sage near cabbage. Dill near onions (and swallowtails).

Pests

Almost none. Mint rust if it sits wet.

Sage tea for a sore throat. Thyme steam for a winter cough. Peppermint for a bad stomach. This is comfort care, not a hospital.

Parsley overwinters with a leaf mulch and bolts in May — let it, then resow.