Herbs have been cultivated for thousands of years for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Today, these fragrant and flavorful plants still play an important role in every kitchen garden. In fact, even a tiny plot can provide you with enough herbs to use fresh, frozen or dried.

Herbs are easy to raise, even if you've never gardened before. Spring is the time to plant herbs. If you have the space, you can plant a formal herb garden that is as attractive as it is plentiful. Formal herb gardens use design techniques that are centuries old. Knot gardens, for example, where herbs are grown in a knot-like design, have been popular since medieval times.