Every home cook should have a culinary herb garden, whether you live in the country or the city.

Even if you don't have a green thumb, herb gardening is quite easy. What's nice is that you’ll always have savory fresh ingredients on hand, whether you choose rosemary for a chicken marsala recipe or a bit of fresh oregano for some homemade spaghetti sauce.

For those who have cooler climates and snow, you can grow a small indoor herb garden. That way, you’ll always have your ingredients right on hand, even in the dead of winter.

My basic herb garden includes basil, thyme, chives, oregano, tarragon, rosemary, mint and cilantro (coriander). Use your imagination when coming up with a herb garden layout.  Raised beds are a popular design.

Herb garden design can be quite fun. Many herbs, such as rosemary, can be shaved into your favorite shapes. And thyme makes a great ground cover along pathways.

If you don’t know how to build an herb garden, it’s really quite simple. Just find a nice sunny patch of dirt in your yard, amend the soil, and plant your kitchen herb garden.

Next year, you’ll be rewarded with a larger crop as many herbs return again year after year.