There's nothing like the fragrance and flavor of fresh herbs, and in Central Florida, herbs can be grown and harvested all year long. Many herbs are perennial so you only need to plant them once to have a nearly endless supply for your kitchen. If you don't have a spot to plant them in the ground, most herbs grow very well in containers.

Start by locating your herb garden in a spot that gets plenty of sun. While there are a few herbs that prefer some shade during the heat of the summer, most need sun for at least half of the day. Prepare the soil by working in plenty of organic matter. Any type of compost will enrich the soil and help retain moisture.

Draw up a plan for the herb garden. Perennial herbs will be permanent residents, so place them first and give them plenty of room to grow. Annual herbs will need to be replanted each season, so use those to fill in the areas between perennials. The Sanford Farm Swap Meet is a good source for locally grown herb plants.

Supply your herb garden with plenty of moisture, especially during the hot dry days of spring and summer. You will be rewarded with plenty of fresh, flavorful clippings to use in a variety of ways.