Growing Herbs in Michigan: Beginner's Guide to a Simple Herb Garden
When I started my first herb garden two years ago as a complete beginner, I knew next to nothing about growing herbs. Now, after two seasons of trial and error in my Michigan (Zone 6) garden, I've learned which herbs are easiest to grow, which ones struggle in our climate, and practical tips for beginners starting their own herb garden.
This post is all about herbs, specifically the ones I’ve grown myself and how I’m learning to make the most of them, one season at a time.
🌿 Best Herbs for Beginners to Grow
Based on my experience growing herbs in Michigan, here are the easiest herbs for beginner gardeners:
Easiest (Nearly Impossible to Kill):
- Peppermint - Grows aggressively, thrives in most conditions
- Chives - Hardy perennial, comes back year after year
- Thyme - Drought-tolerant, low maintenance
Moderate (Pretty Easy):
- Basil - Easy to grow but sensitive to cold
- Parsley - Grows well but needs consistent moisture
Challenging:
- Cilantro - Bolts quickly in heat, prefers cool weather
🧺 Basic Supplies You'll Need
Here's what I use for my simple herb garden:
- Raised garden bed or containers - I use this raised bed from Amazon (affiliate)
- Quality potting soil - Regular garden soil works too with compost mixed in
- Herb starter plants - From local greenhouses (easier than seeds!)
- Watering can or hose - For consistent moisture
- Small containers for mint - Keep it separate so it doesn't take over
You don't need anything fancy. I started with a $70 raised bed and 6 starter plants.
🌱 Herbs I Grew This Year (Year 2)
This season, my herb garden included:
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Peppermint
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English thyme
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Chives
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Basil
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Parsley
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Cilantro
I picked up starter plants from local greenhouses because, to be honest, seeds still feel a bit intimidating. (Maybe someday!)
I grow my herbs in a raised garden bed I bought a couple of years ago, and I still love it.
👉 Here’s the one I use from Amazon if you're looking for something simple and sturdy (Amazon affiliate).
🌿 My First Year Herb Garden
Last year, I started smaller with just:
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Peppermint
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Chives
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Thyme
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Cilantro
Everything did fairly well except the cilantro, which died off almost immediately. I chalked it up to not knowing how to care for it properly.
Fast forward to this year: I gave cilantro another try… and after just a few days of extreme heat, it died again.
Lesson learned: cilantro is fussy and does not love Michigan's sudden hot spells. I might try growing it earlier in the season next year or find a shadier spot for it.
🧑🌾 Companion Planting: Which Herbs Grow Well Together
One thing I’ve learned is that not all herbs like to be planted side-by-side. Some need different conditions, and a few can even stunt each other’s growth. Here’s what I’ve figured out so far:
👯♀️ Good Herb Neighbors
These herbs enjoy similar light, watering, and soil conditions:
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Basil + Parsley – Both love rich, moist soil and plenty of sun.
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Thyme + Chives – Hardy, low-maintenance, and do well in drier, slightly rockier soil.
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Cilantro + Parsley – These leafy herbs don’t mind a little shade and grow best in cooler weather.
🚫 Keep These Apart
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Mint (like Peppermint) – Mint spreads fast and will take over any container or bed. I keep mine in its own separate pot to stop it from crowding everything else.
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Basil + Mint – These two don’t like each other much. Basil prefers hotter, sunnier spots while mint prefers a bit of shade and moist soil.
If you’re just starting out, containers are your best friend. I grouped herbs with similar needs in medium-sized pots and kept mint in its own container (with a plate underneath to contain its wanderlust).
🌞When to Plant Herbs in Michigan
Michigan weather can be unpredictable, so timing is everything for herb gardens.
Spring Planting:
- Wait until after Mother's Day (mid-May) to avoid frost
- Plant basil and parsley once nighttime temps stay above 50°F - basil especially hates the cold and will wilt on cool nights
- Hardy herbs like thyme and chives can go out earlier and will come back year after year
Fall Planting:
- Try cilantro in late August/early September for cool weather
- Avoid planting heat-lovers like basil after July
- Cilantro struggles with sudden heatwaves (as I've learned twice!)
Perennials: Thyme, chives, and some mints will return each year.
Local Resources: A great resource on local gardening is the Michigan State University Extension. Check out their article on 'Growing and using herbs'.
❌ Common Mistakes I Made as a Beginner
Here's what I learned the hard way:
1. Planting cilantro in summer - It bolts immediately in heat. Plant in spring or fall instead.
2. Not containing mint - My first year, peppermint tried to take over everything. Now it lives in its own pot.
3. Overwatering thyme - Mediterranean herbs don't need much water. I killed my first thyme plant by being too attentive.
4. Planting too early - I lost basil to a late May frost. Now I wait until after Mother's Day.
5. Grouping herbs with different needs - Basil and thyme don't like the same conditions. Keep similar herbs together.
💬 Beginner Herb Garden FAQs
Q: What are the easiest herbs to grow for beginners? A: Peppermint, chives, and thyme are the most forgiving. They tolerate neglect, varying conditions, and come back year after year in Michigan.
Q: Should I grow herbs from seeds or starter plants? A: Starter plants are much easier for beginners. You can find them at local greenhouses and they give you a head start. I still use starter plants after 2 years!
Q: Why does my cilantro keep dying? A: Cilantro is heat-sensitive and bolts (goes to seed) quickly in hot weather. In Michigan, try planting it in early spring or late summer when temps are cooler, and give it partial shade.
Q: Do herbs need a lot of water? A: It depends. Mediterranean herbs (thyme, rosemary) prefer drier soil, while basil and parsley like consistent moisture. Group herbs with similar water needs together.
Q: Can I grow herbs in containers? A: Absolutely! I grow all my herbs in a raised bed and containers. It's perfect for beginners because you control the soil quality and can move plants if needed.
📝 Simple Wrap-Up
I’m still learning, and that’s part of the joy. Each year, I figure out a little more about which herbs thrive in Michigan, what pairs well together, and how to make the most of what I grow.
If you’re just starting your own herb garden, my advice is this:
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Start small.
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Use containers.
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Group herbs with similar needs.
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Don’t give up if something fails (like cilantro).
What are your favorite herbs to grow? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Sensibly & simply yours,
Kat
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