Tips on growing a Herb Garden

Herb gardening is an easy and delicious way to add zest to your meals, salads, soups, tea, and smoothies using authentic, seasonal, and fresh ingredients. There is no better reward than being able to pop out to your garden and pick a handful of fresh parsley leaves for a tasteful meal or a sprig of rosemary to flavor your chicken and beef stews. It is a gardener’s delights!

Plus, growing herbs brings a plethora of choices as most herbs can easily grow in a variety of conditions, are disease resistant, and don’t take up much space. You can grow them in containers on your patio or your small balcony. You can even choose to interplant them with your flowers for a practical and yet decorative solution. The options are endless! If you are looking to bring a new freshness to your cooking, and add fragrance and beauty to your garden, here are a few tips on how to start a herb garden.

1. Choose a Location

Location is the most important factor to consider when setting up a herb garden. This is because most herbs do well in areas with plenty of sunlight, moderate temperatures, and good drainage. The ideal location, whether it’s a large backyard or a small balcony, should receive at least 4 – 6 hours of sunlight.

If it is possible, select a few steps from your kitchen or in front of a sunny window, so you can easily snip a handful of herbs when making your favorite meals. If planting next to your kitchen is not ideal, a front yard herb garden can be an extremely attractive option and can create a great display during the flowering season.

2. Select your Herbs

A burst of basil in your salad, anyone? How about a handful of muddled mint in your frosty mojito on a hot summer day? Whether it’s for day to day cooking or medicinal purposes, there are plenty of herb varieties to choose from that provide great bang for the buck!

For example, basil, chives, cilantro, mint, parsley, oregano, rosemary, and thyme are a favorite in many beginner’s gardens since they are easy to grow and will last you all summer and beyond.

Also, make sure to choose herb plants that are used frequently in your kitchen, easy to maintain, and varieties that you’ll easily find in a local garden center.

3. Choose your Planting Style

Herbs can easily thrive in pots, raised beds, or the old-fashioned grounds!

For smaller spaces such as kitchen windows or tiny balconies, consider using pots and containers with good drainage holes to allow sufficient room for the roots as they grow. Clay pots work best as they tend to dry out quickly, which guarantees good drainage.

Consider raised beds and containers to help control pests, soil, and other environmental factors. Raised beds also help in preventing invasive herbs, such as mint, from choking your entire herb garden.

4. Harvest and Enjoy!

Herbs flourish under regular and constant care. This means you will have to harvest them regularly to allow room for them to reach their bushy, lush best. For best results, harvest in the morning using a pair of kitchen scissors and enjoy.

Before you Leave

So, what are your favorite herbs? Different varieties of herbs make a wonderful addition to any garden. You will feel a great sense of satisfaction as you try out new recipes with herbs from a garden full of flavor and fragrance. Also, make sure to check out our best essential oils to help bolster the health of your herbs and keep your it happy and nourished!