Have you ever thought about growing your own rosemary for steak or thyme for chicken? How about adding some freshly picked mint to your iced sparkling water? Actually, growing your own herbs is super easy, even if you’re a beginner, and these herbs don’t need much space to flourish. So, with a just a little investment of time, effort and cost, you can set up a kitchen garden that brings huge returns. This beginner guide covers all the basics you need to know to grow herbs both indoors and outdoors.
Why Grow Herbs?
Nowadays, as home cooking recipes have become more and more diverse, many people have started to build kitchen gardens right in their backyards. This sparked our interests in growing herbs outdoors or even indoors, and we found it to be pretty easy.
Instead of shelling out cash for herbs in the supermarket, which often go spoil before you can use them, having your own herb garden means you can just grab a few fresh leaves whenever you need them. Some herbs like marigolds and patchouli even have medicinal values and health benefits. Plus, growing weed at home can make you self-sufficient if you have that need.
Beyond the practical side, growing herbs can be a great therapeutic way to unwind. Watching your plants grow and thrive can be super rewarding, and taking care of your garden can help you relax and escape the daily grind.
Top Expert Tips for Growing Herbs
Although each herb has its own unique growing habits, there are some general guidelines for growing most herbs. Keep these key points in mind to maintain a successful herb garden.
Herb seeds or plants
You can choose to grow herbs either from seeds or seedlings. Seeds are a bit trickier to grow but save you some cash. It’s best to start with the herbs based on your cooking habits. If you’re a planting beginner, you can choose some easy-to-grow herbs. For example, Greek oregano and lemon thyme can tolerate a bit of neglect when it comes to watering, whereas basil wilts its leaves when it needs a drink.
Containers
According to Herbs at Home, containers should be slightly larger than the plants and need drainage holes to let excess water to escape. For herbs that prefer moist soil, plastic containers work best, while terracotta is ideal for those that thrive in drier conditions.
Adequate light
Herbs require plenty of sunlight to grow well. If growing herbs indoors, consider using artificial grow lights or placing them near a bright window. Aiming for around 8 hours of sunlight per day is a good rule of thumb. Tender herbs like basil, parsley, and cilantro might need some shade or filtered light during the hottest parts of summer.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for herbs is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes spring the best season to kick off your herb garden. If you’re located at a high altitude, cold-sensitive herbs like marjoram might struggle to survive the winter outdoors. That’s where indoor gardening becomes useful. To successfully grow herbs indoors during winter, you’ll need a temperature controller like ITC-306T and a heater to keep the space warm enough for health growth.
Soil type
When choosing soil for your herbs, go for something well-drained like sandy loam. This soil type is light and nutrient-rich, and rarely holds onto water in winter or stays dry during summer, making it perfect for growing herbs. Mixing sandy loam with outdoor garden soil and adding a bit of aged compost will help your herbs thrive.
Water
There is no set rule for when to water herbs. A good trick is to stick your finger about an inch into the soil - if it remains moist, skip the watering. Otherwise, give your herbs a thorough watering instead of frequent sips of water, as overwatering is more likely to kill them than underwatering. Don’t worry, the soil and pots will take care of any excess water.
Fertilizer
If you follow the previous tips, your herbs should do just fine without fertilizing, except for basil, which needs a lot of organic fertilizer. To be honest, we hardly ever fertilize our culinary and medicinal herbs since it can dilute their flavor. If you have to choose, go for a water-soluble or slow-release fertilizer specifically for herbs.
Harvest
Harvest your herbs before they bloom to preserve the best flavor intact, and you can keep them longer by drying or freezing. Plus, regularly pruning helps many culinary herbs grow better.
Best Herbs to Grow Indoors
Herbs that grow quickly and don't require much light are often best grown indoors.
- Mint: This refreshing herb is easy to grow indoors and can be used in teas, desserts, and cocktails. It likes moist soil and indirect light.
- Oregano: This hardy herb has a strong, earthy flavor that complements Italian dishes, sauces, and marinades. It prefers well-drained soil and bright, indirect sunlight.
- Parsley: This flexible herb can be used as a garnish or in salads, soups, and sauces. It enjoys moist soil and bright, indirect light.
- Rosemary: This aromatic herb has a woody, piney flavor that enhances meat dishes, soups, and stews. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun or bright, indirect sunlight.
- Thyme: This low-growing herb has a delicate, earthy flavor that complements soups, stews, and marinades. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun or bright, indirect sunlight.
Best Herbs to Grow Outdoors
For outdoor herb growing, there are also tons of options. They tend to require more sunlight, more space to grow, are more cold-tolerant, and require less maintenance.
- Basil: This aromatic herb thrives in warm, sunny climates. It produces fragrant leaves that are used in Mediterranean cuisine, salads, and sauces.
- Chives: These hardy herbs are easy to grow and can withstand cold temperatures. Their mild oniony flavor complements soups, salads, and egg dishes.
- Cilantro: Also known as coriander, cilantro is a staple in Mexican and Asian cuisine. It prefers full sun or partial shade and produces both leaves and seeds that can be used for seasoning.
- Dill: This feathery herb has a distinctive flavor that pairs well with fish, salads, and pickles. It thrives in well-drained soil and prefers full sun to partial shade.
- Sage: This is a perennial herb with a slightly pungent, earthy flavor. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
To wrap it up, growing herbs, whether inside or outside, can be a fun and rewarding experience. With a little know-how and some expert tips from this article, you can set up a vibrant herb garden that adds charm to your home and elevates your meals. So put on those gardening gloves and start trying out various herbs to find the ones you love!
