You can grow herbs in your backyard, patio, or windowsill for healthier eating and to enhance your cooking. Ensure they get four to six hours of sun daily. Try growing various herbs beyond the ones you know, and you might discover new flavors to add to your dishes. Fresh herbs make recipes taste even better and are great to have around for soups, stews, and salads.
If you’re unsure which herbs to grow in your culinary herb garden, don’t worry! Here’s a list of basic herbs that are perfect for a range of dishes and easy to grow in any size garden. No need to stress over the many herb plants varieties available; simply pick a few that suit your favorite recipes and start from there.
Parsley
Parsley is more than just a garnish; it can enhance food flavor and aid in digestion. It is often grown annually but can stay evergreen in milder climates. The plant will grow to be large and bushy and is a good source of Vitamins A and C.
Basil
Basil is a well-known and widely used herb in the kitchen. It’s a popular annual herb easily grown in pots or gardens. Freshly picked basil is best for enhancing the flavor of many dishes, including the famous tomato and basil. It’s a crucial element in dried herb blends such as Italian seasoning.
Chives
Chives are a frequently grown herb but often overlooked as an edible plant. They have a mild onion flavor that is perfect for dishes needing a subtle hint of taste without being overpowered by onion. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, chives are a great addition to many recipes.
Thyme
Thyme is a versatile herb that comes in many varieties, including English and French thyme and is a popular ingredient in Italian seasoning blends and classic French. Some common culinary thymes to grow include common thyme seeds from Hoss Garden Seeds, German thyme plants from Bonnie Plants at Home Depot, and English thyme seeds from Botanical Interests. Thyme plants thrive in warm, sunny weather and are somewhat drought-tolerant, and give the garden a lovely herbal scent during the growing season and into winter. When purchasing thyme plants, it’s best to do so in person to inspect for their lovely scent.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a mint plant that adds flavor to refreshing drinks and candies. It cannot be grown from seed but propagated from a part of the mother plant. Peppermint has purple stems compared to the green stems of other common garden mints. It is a perennial herb that thrives in moist soil and loves the sun. Peppermint is a vigorous plant that must be confined to a planter pot to prevent escaping.
Dill
Dill is a versatile herb that can add flavor to many dishes, including peas, potatoes, lamb, and fish. It is also known for its health benefits, such as fighting bad breath, aiding digestion, and reducing swelling and cramps. Growing dill is easy and can attract beneficial insects like predatory insects and wasps.
Conclusion
Growing herbs indoors allows you to have fresh herbs all year round, but if that’s not possible, you can freeze or dry them throughout the year. Check out from an online store when you’re ready to purchase herb plants.
