One of my all-time favorite ways to make anything taste better is by adding herbs (and lemon, but let’s stick with herbs here for a second). Though dried will work in a pinch, fresh herbs give you the pop of flavor and the freshness and can brighten up just about any dish in no time. Pasta that could use a little gussying up? Veggies need a little sass? Lemonade that needs a little something extra to make it special? All of these cooking problems can be solved by the addition of fresh herbs! Parsley, cilantro, mint, basil, rosemary, the possibilities are endless!
So what’s a girl to do? Grow them myself at home. That way, I have them within easy reach whenever I want to whip up a pesto or sprinkle them into a salad. Plus, I can just take the amount that I need—no more tossing out old rotten herbs that had gotten lost in the depths of the refrigerator or you had no idea what to do with.
Why You Should Plant a Herb Garden
1. Fresh herbs at your fingertips
How many times have you forgotten an herb for a recipe, like the basil for your Caprese salad or cilantro for your guacamole? Or even worse — when the herb you need is sold out at the grocery store?! Plant your favorite herbs now and you won’t be without them all season long!
2. Save money and eliminate waste
Once they’re cut, herbs don’t last very long, which can make it difficult to use up the whole container when you buy at a store. Save money and cut down on waste by growing your own!
3. Add some greenery to your outdoor space
No matter how big or small your outdoor space, it’s easy to get creative with container herb gardens to add greenery decor! Go vertical with a plant wall like this, add dimension with a shelf like this or this or simply plant herbs in an pots on your patio or old containers on your window sill — it doesn’t have to be fancy! Whichever route you go, the herbs will add a fresh pop of green for you to enjoy!
I have this three tier planter that I plan to fill with my favorite herbs and I may even get fancy and throw a vegetable or two in there!
What To Grow
If you are a novice like me, it is smart to start with starter herbs like basil, chives, mint, oregano, rosemary, and then upgrade. But a good rule of thumb – grow what you use to cook the most. I love basil, parsley and rosemary so those three will definitely have a spot in my herb garden.
The best herbs to grow are the herbs you like to eat (and smell)! Plant the herbs you find yourself needing the most in recipes. Here are some of my favorites:
Basil
Nothing beats the smell of fresh basil—really. The scent is therapeutic to me so I will be growing lots of it! Pro tip: The more you cut it, the lusher your plant will grow (and the better the leaves will taste). From homemade pesto, pizza toppings and mixed into salads, fresh basil is a must for summer recipes.
Mint
Mint might be the easiest herb out there to grow. I love adding mint to cocktails, or other drinks for a fresh kick! Aside from a range of cocktails and other summer drinks, mint is also great for adding to tea, mixing into smoothies, or spicing up yogurt and berries.
Cilantro
From guacamole, salsas and sauces to adding flavor to stir fries, tacos, pasta salads or rice, cilantro is a great herb to have on hand!
Parsley
No, not just a garnish: Parsley is incredibly easy to grow, provided you give her lots of sun and water. The flat leaf variety (also called Italian) is sweet, strong and best for cooking. We make so much pasta, this always takes it up a notch!
Rosemary
This fragrant herb deserves a spot in your herb garden. A great herb for meat due to its ability to hold up under extreme heat, rosemary can also be added to breads, potatoes, and added to cocktails!
Lavender
Do yourself a favor and pick up some lavender this season! While you might not use it for cooking, it smells amazing in bloom and looks great the rest of the year too! Who doesn’t want a little bit of Provence on their summer patio?
5 Tips To Keep Your Herbs Alive
And lastly, here are my tips for thriving herbs all season long!
1. Always repot your herbs
Make sure to repot your herbs out of their plastic containers right away. If you’re planting each herb in its own container, pots as small as 10-inch diameter work great. If you’re grouping multiple herbs into one pot, opt for an 18-inch diameter pot at minimum. Make sure you’re grouping similar herbs together–herbs that prefer more moist soil, and those that prefer drier soil. Don’t worry I get into that below!
2. Place in a sunny spot
Herbs need a lot of sun, which is why I recommend an outdoor herb garden vs. an indoor. Aim for placing your herbs in the sunniest spot of your space — or a spot that gets 6-8 hours of full sun each day.
3. Avoid overwatering
Always water your herbs in the morning (according to Martha Stewart and I think she knows what she’s talking about). I water mine every morning – unless we had a big storm the previous night, or expecting rain that day. Instead of worrying if your plants are getting enough water, aim to avoid overwatering, which is far more dangerous. They will also probably require more water at the beginning when you pot them vs. later on once they’ve become more established. Most herbs also grow best in well-drained soil, so you’ll also want to make sure they’re in a pot that has a hole for drainage!
Generally, you should water herbs when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. If leaves begin to yellow, pull back on watering, as you’re probably overdoing it.
Also, it’s helpful to keep in mind the herbs that like more moisture vs. herbs that thrive with dryer soil.
- High-moisture soil herbs: Basil, Mint, Dill, Chervil, Cilantro (all fairly delicate)
- Drier soil herbs: Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender (hardier in texture)
4. Be careful when trimming
There is a bit of an art to clipping herbs when it comes time to eat them. Choose a mix of mature and new leaves and move evenly around the plant. This will help the herb grow back faster. (For basil, I like to use my finger and simply “pop” the leaf out from the stem rather than cutting).
5. Pinch
To keep your herbs blooming and full, encourage new growth by pinching off flowers that might pop up (like on basil). This will make the herb stronger and more productive! This helps them avoid outgrowing their space and grow more densely.
Are you growing a herb garden this year? Let me know what you’re planting in the comments!
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