Growing trailing herbs as a hobby requires similar principles to those of growing herbs in the garden. Plant the herbs into the garden beds before the first frost. Be sure to dig a hole with the soil, then add about a half a pound of topsoil (compost) to the bottom of the hole. Most herbs like well-drained soil. (Many herbs can be grown without any topsoil at all if you have a greenhouse or potting bench.)

Low-growing trailing herbs make wonderful ground covers. A neat, clean rug of oregano or thyme will turn an otherwise bare, uninteresting patio into a delightful culinary treat. Chives, Rosemary and parsley form tidy compact mounds that work very well along a walkway or on the edges of an ornamental herb bed.

When growing trailing culinary herbs inside their pots, you may be tempted to use plastic or polyethylene pots. However, if you plan on growing a plant for two years, it would be a mistake to do so in plastic or polyethylene pots. The reason is that these pots will not drain properly. As the plants grown inside the pots dry out, they will often rot or even die. (If you want containers that will drain badly, buy long stemmed plants, such as tomatoes, which will dry out fairly quickly and require larger pots.)

Many people keep only one pot for their trailing herbs. However, most herbs actually prefer a few plants rather than one. If you are growing herbs from seed, place them in separate pots. Then after the plant starts to grow roots, remove the smaller pots and put them in the larger one. It makes sense to do this during the first two or three growing seasons.

Most people think that herb gardening is limited to container herb plants. And it’s true that many herbs prefer a bit of shade and can survive well in a container. But some herbs, such as oregano, will do better in a bigger container. Just make sure you have room in your large containers for your seedlings. And if you intend to try different varieties of the same herb, it’s a good idea to start with a small container and grow it up into a large one.

For most other varieties, however, it’s best to use small pots and leave the plants alone. Most herbs like lots of sun, but if you plant your herbs in full sunlight, the leaves will lose their color. Sunlight also stimulates growth and causes the plant to produce more foliage and more buds, so be careful to position your trailing herbs so that they get plenty of sun. Herbs grown in pots can also be sprayed with a herbicide to control weeds.

Other herbs that you can grow in pots include thyme, oregano, dill, fennel, chervil, sage, basil, tarragon, mint and bay. Traditionally, herbs are grown in hanging baskets; today they can be planted in window boxes, on patios and porches, in containers on the kitchen counter, deck or patio, or even in the ground. In fact, you can take the plant from the ground up and plant it right in your garden. Planting herbs in the garden is a great way to attract bees, butterflies, birds and other wildlife into your yard. And if you plant trailing herbs near your house, you’ll cut down on the chance that insects will invade your plants.

The best time to plant any herb garden is in spring, although the best time of year depends on the variety. Some flowers and plants, such as roses and chives, bloom more during certain times of the year, while others, such as marjoram and basil, bloom year round. And don’t forget to plant herbs in a container before you plant them in the ground – it will give them a better chance to get established.