Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow especially in smaller kitchens or when green space is limited. We’ve provided you with some basic knowledge to help you start your own herb garden.
Determining What You Want
Be sure to think of what herbs you will use the most. Do you cook? Are you a mixologist? Or do you just love the smell of fresh herbs? Determining what you will use the herbs for will help decide which ones you are most likely to utilize.
The best herbs to grow in your garden
- Mint – Mint comes in a lot of varieties such as spearmint, peppermint or chocolate mint. These can be great for so many things like mojitos, lamb, salads, tea, they also have a lot of health benefits such as helping aid digestion and relieving heartburn.
- Basil – Pesto, bruschetta, salads, pizzas, cocktails, infused oils, the list goes on and on for ways to use basil. Keep in mind basil is best watered in the morning, needs a sunny spot and is very important to pinch it back to help it grow bushy instead of tall.
- Rosemary, Thyme, Sage – These herbs are staples for so many pasta and meat dishes and can be planted together. These plants enjoy the sun and do well in arid soil and do very well outdoors.
- Chives – Great for soups, potatoes, and salads as garnish. Chives enjoy damp soil, so make sure they don’t dry out.
What you need to get started
Pots, planting soil, seeds or seedlings. It is easier to start out with already established plants and simply repot them, if you decide to start from seeds, be sure to label them so you can remember what you planted and where. Decide if you will be planting indoors or outdoors. Lots of outdoor plants attract wildlife too which can be a positive and a negative. Dill attracts butterflies, whereas rosemary, thyme and mint attract bees. You do have to be warry of squirrels, deer and rabbits nibbling on your herbs too. Planting indoors is great for herbs as well, some herbs only need 3-4 hours of sunlight and do well in windowsills which can create more of a greenhouse effect.
Figuring out where to set your plants
Determining which plants do well next to each other can be a challenge. Some plants grow great together sage, thyme, oregano, rosemary and other Mediterranean herbs like these do well in dryer environments. Cilantro, basil and tarragon can be grouped together which need more consistent watering. Mint should be planted alone since it tends to take over the pot. You can always go the route of having individual pots for plants as well.
Reap What You Sow
Herbs enjoy being harvested frequently and tend to grow better when you do so. Basil need to be trimmed from the top, especially once you see blooms, while others can be simply snipped, washed and enjoyed.
