How to Easily Grow Culinary Herbs at Home
The world of fresh-grown herbs is wide, delicious, and very easy to grow! Because of this, eating healthy, organic herbs is part of our family's daily routine. You see, we learned the importance of eating a variety of foods every day in order to support a healthy body - from brain to microbiome.
Herbs are packed with micronutrients, vitamins, and other mighty warriors that promote wellness. When they're grown close to home and eaten close to their harvest date, not only are their powerful nutrients preserved.
The flavor is unbeatable.
Crunchy, fresh basil that is still cool from the night temperatures. Fuzzy, soft sage that zings your palette in tonight's salad. The smell of sauteed rosemary in garlic and ghee.
There is nothing like fresh, home-grown herbs in the kitchen.
Growing your own herbs at home is a quick, inexpensive, and easy way to pack nutrients into your day. With a few simple tricks, any family can start growing fresh culinary herbs now!
First things first - always buy organic seeds.
If you're choosing to grow your own food, you obviously care about your health and about quality nutrition. Much like me, you probably want a powerful source of vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, and polyphenols, grown without the use of harmful pesticides and questionable chemicals.
In that case, why start with seeds that have potentially been compromised? Genetically modified? Grown and harvested in chemical-laden conditions? Why pass on that less-than-stellar stuff to your healing body?
I always buy organic herb seeds - regardless of the price. Why? Because over the years, I've come to appreciate the vast differences in flavor, crop yield, and overall appearance of home-grown organic culinary herbs.
Without question, when I start seeds from a non-organic source, I find that the final flavor and crop yield doesn't produce as well as those seeds that are organic. Therefore, I always start with organic herb seeds. Although the price may be slightly higher (seed per seed, we're talking pennies here), it's always worth it.
Best Prices on Organic Culinary Herb Seeds
Where does one shop to find the best prices on top-quality herb seeds?
Over the years, I've shopped all of the herb seed sales you can imagine: discount dollar stores, big box home improvement stores, online stores, and my local garden nurseries. Each year, I've had my share of successes and struggles. Thanks to trial and error, as well as my essential garden journal where I track my yearly gardening adventures, I have honed in on the places that produce the best culinary herbs to grow.
High Mowing Organic Seeds
I stumbled upon my favorite herb seller while I was on the hunt for cool-weather European greens like mache, sorrel, and claytonia. They are now my favorite source for organic seeds in the United States: High Mowing Organic Seeds.
Located in Vermont, High Mowing Organic Seeds has been in business for nearly 30 years and specializes in organic, non-GMO seeds. They proudly boast having over 700 seeds to choose from, while adding more varieties every year. I appreciate their company's philosophy on giving back to the global community, seed and food donations, and their commitment to organic food-growing advocacy. Read more about their philosophy, philanthropy, and vision for a sustainable, healthy future.
Not only do I purchase most of my herbs from High Mowing; I also have great success growing their vegetables. Check out their unique vegetable selection here; you'll fall in love with their selection and quality.
5 Easiest Culinary Herbs to Grow
1) Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
This is the basil of everyone's dreams ~ the basil from juicy caprese salads and cheesy, nutty pesto sauces. Think earthy, rich, and subtly pungent. Not only does it have a signature, savory taste; it's also packed with a spectrum of antioxidants, Vitamin K, and calcium.
Sweet basil is delicious and versatile in the kitchen. And it's really easy to grow from seed today.
Basil is ridiculously easy to grow. I grow this from seed in simple seed blocks or Jiffy pods. Basil requires nothing special to succeed; no pre-soaking, scaling, or special pH. Within 3-6 days of direct sowing it in my planter box garden or a seed-starting medium, basil's sweet little cotyledons (those first seed leaves) pop up and get to work.
Harvesting Basil: As your basil plant reaches 6 inches or taller, it's ready to start harvesting. A well-tended basil plant will produce for you and your family for many months! The key is to harvest a little, often, to keep it from going to flower and, ultimately, going to seed. I harvest mine early in the morning to add to my smoothies, or in the evening to add to salads or dinner. I cut mine just above a leaf node (the place where new leaves grow) so that leaves will begin to bush out from the place where I just harvested.
If you're ready to try growing your own fresh basil, this is a great herb with which to start. It's a low maintenance herb, so you can really try any of the following basil types to start. I've grown them all and had great success!
Garlic chives, with their slender, delicate green stalks and distinctive garlicky aroma, are a delightful addition to any garden. These perennial herbs are valued not only for their culinary uses but also for their beautiful flowers! They're easy to grow and GREAT for a pollinator garden. Garlic chives stand out as an elegant and versatile herb, offering a unique blend of flavor and beauty.
The slender leaves of garlic chives grow in clumps, reaching a height of about 12 to 18 inches. Their vibrant green color adds a touch of freshness to the garden, creating a visually appealing contrast with other herbs and plants. As a member of the Allium family, which includes onions and garlic, garlic chives produce spherical clusters of delicate white flowers in late spring or early summer. These blooms not only attract pollinators like bees but also contribute to the herb's overall aesthetic charm.
One of the key features that sets garlic chives apart is their distinct flavor profile. With a mild, garlic-like taste, these herbs offer a versatile alternative to traditional chives. The leaves can be snipped and added fresh to salads, soups, or as a garnish for various dishes, imparting a subtle garlic essence. At our home, we add them to salads, omelettes, stir-fries and herb-infused oils, providing a simple flavor burst.
I buy these with confidence from High Mowing Organic Seeds. They packet is generous and the seeds have great viability.
In the garden, garlic chives are relatively low-maintenance, making them an ideal choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. They thrive in well-drained soil and prefer full sun, although they can tolerate partial shade. Additionally, garlic chives are known for their resilience in various climates, making them adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions.
Whether tucked into an herb garden, lining a pathway, or featured in a decorative container, garlic chives bring not only a burst of flavor to the kitchen but also overall beauty in my garden landscape.
An easy to grow herb - I hope you love them as much as our family does!
One of the first herbs I ever grew when I was a new gardener was cilantro. It is very easy to grow and never disappoints in flavor.
Cilantro stands out as an exceptionally easy herb to grow in the garden, making it a perfect choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. It's a low-maintenance wonderful addition to any herb garden.
Cilantro is resilient and adaptable. The herb is known for its ability to thrive in various soil types, provided they are well-drained. Cilantro is not overly finicky about soil conditions, making it forgiving for gardeners who may not have perfectly amended garden beds. It's adaptability extends to pH levels, allowing it to succeed in a wide range of soil environments - even my high desert conditions!
Cilantro is also relatively hardy, with the capacity to withstand mild fluctuations in temperature. While it prefers cooler weather, it can endure a range of climates, making it suitable for both spring and fall planting. This adaptability makes cilantro a year-round option in many regions, providing a continuous supply for culinary use.
It germinates rapidly and is ready for harvest in no time. From seed to harvestable leaves, cilantro typically takes only a few weeks, allowing gardeners to enjoy a relatively quick turnaround. This swift growth cycle makes cilantro an excellent choice for those who desire a continuous supply of fresh herbs without an extended waiting period. When you plant a whole packet at a time, it's possible to have a whole season's worth of cilantro in one planting.
Cilantro's low-maintenance water requirement is a plus. While it appreciates consistent moisture, it's also not overly demanding, and occasional watering is plenty! This makes cilantro suitable for gardeners who may have varying schedules or live in regions with inconsistent rainfall.
Cilantro is a low-maintenance staple in most gardens - it tolerates different soil conditions, hardiness in varying climates, rapid growth, and undemanding water requirements collectively make it an easy and rewarding herb to cultivate in the garden. Whether grown in containers, raised beds, or directly in the ground, cilantro consistently proves itself as a hassle-free addition to any herb garden.
Dill is like the laid-back friend of the herb garden—super easy to get along with and always there when you need it. One of the coolest things about dill is that it doesn't throw a fit about soil types. Whether your garden dirt is sandy, loamy, or somewhere in between, dill's cool with it. It's the herb that says, "Hey, let's just grow together and see what happens!"
This herb is a breeze to cultivate, especially for those of us who aren't pro gardeners. It doesn't demand a PhD in horticulture or a fancy soil mix. Just stick it in well-drained soil, give it a bit of sunlight, and voilà—dill is ready to enjoy.
It's an excellent addition to your pollinator garden, too! Dill's dainty flowers are often covered in small moths and winged friends. As a dual purpose plant, I grow dill every year. It's very easy to collect its seeds in the fall for strategically-placed planting each year.
Though I've had great success with all dill varieties, my favorite variety from High Mowing Organic Seeds is their Bouquet Dill. It is delicious and adds a touch of daintiness to my flowers and vases.
Now, let's talk about dill's wardrobe change. As it matures, dill flaunts those feathery, fern-like leaves that look like it's about to break into a little herb dance. And guess what? Dill loves a good self-seeding. That means you might find surprise dill sprouts popping up all over your garden, like nature's little gifts that keep on giving.
When it comes to the kitchen, dill is the flavor champion. Its fresh leaves add a zing to salads, dips, and sauces, giving them that extra oomph. And the seeds? They're like the spice of life in pickling brines or as a secret ingredient in your homemade seasoning blends. Dill sets the perfect vibe for your dishes.
In a nutshell, dill is the herb you want in your garden crew. It’s easygoing, low-maintenance, and adds a touch of freshness to your culinary adventures. You'll enjoy it - and so will the pollinators!
Last but certainly not least is one of my favorite culinary herbs to grow: thyme. There are many delicious varieties to try, and even ornamental ones that make soft, plush paths in the garden!
Growing thyme in your backyard is not just a breeze; it's like having your own little flavor factory at your fingertips.
The Culinary Marvels of Thyme
Thyme is like the culinary magician of the herb world, turning ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary masterpieces. Its earthy, slightly minty flavor adds depth to a variety of dishes, making it a staple in Mediterranean, French, and Italian cuisines. Whether you're whipping up a savory stew, a zesty marinade, or a delightful roast, thyme is the secret ingredient that takes your dish from "good" to "oh wow!"
Thyme is a Versatile Herb in the Kitchen One of the best things about thyme is its versatility. Fresh or dried, it works wonders in both forms. Toss a sprig into a simmering pot of soup, sprinkle some dried thyme over roasted vegetables, or infuse olive oil with this fragrant herb for a quick and easy salad dressing. Thyme also pairs magnificently with meats like chicken, lamb, and fish, adding a burst of flavor that will have your taste buds doing a happy dance.
Easy-Peasy Thyme Growing Now, let's talk about growing thyme. If you're thinking, "I don't have a green thumb," fear not! Thyme is practically the herb version of a low-maintenance best friend.
1. Sun, Sun, Sun: Thyme loves soaking up the sun. Give it a sunny spot in your garden, and it will reward you with lush, aromatic leaves. It's like sending your herb on a tropical vacation, and who wouldn't want that?
2. Well-Drained Soil: Thyme isn't a fan of soggy feet. Plant it in well-drained soil, and you're golden. Mix in some compost for added happiness, and your thyme will thrive.
3. Watering on the Light Side: Thyme is pretty chill when it comes to water. It prefers to be on the drier side, so don't drown it. A light sprinkle now and then is all it needs to stay content. I live in the high desert of the West and it doesn't need any additional watering than what my other water-wise plants receive.
4. Trim and Tidy: Give your thyme a little trim now and then. Not only will it stay bushy and full, but you'll also have plenty of fresh sprigs for your culinary escapades.
5. Hello, Perennial!: The best part? Thyme is a perennial. Plant it once, and it keeps coming back, season after season. It's the gift that keeps on giving.
So, there you have it – growing thyme is as easy as pie (or should I say, as easy as adding thyme to your pie crust!). Bring this flavor-packed herb into your garden, and you'll be delighting your taste buds in no time. Happy planting and happy cooking! 🌿🍽️
Give Herb Growing a Try Today!
As you can see, herbs are like the cheerleaders of the garden, rooting for your success with every sprout. What makes them the superstar for novice gardeners? It's a harmonious blend of their forgiving nature, adaptability, and culinary prowess.
Herbs are the cool cats of the plant world - resilient and forgiving. They can withstand a missed watering or two, shrug off a little neglect, and still burst forth with aromatic leaves, ready to elevate your dishes. They come back year after year (sometimes whether you want them to or not!).
Herbs are also the ultimate adaptors. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a cozy balcony, herbs find a way to thrive. They're content in pots, hanging baskets, or directly in the ground, making them the perfect companions for gardeners with limited space.
The culinary magic of herbs is a beacon for anyone stepping into the garden game. Novice gardeners can confidently experiment with flavors, knowing that herbs like basil, dill, and thyme are there to turn everyday meals into extraordinary culinary adventures.
So, to the novice gardener, fear not! Herbs are your allies in the journey to green-thumb greatness. With minimal effort, a bit of sunshine, and a sprinkle of love, you'll be harvesting your own fresh herbs and transforming ordinary meals into extraordinary feasts.
Be sure to check out the free COMPLETE GUIDE to growing your own herbs today!
Happy gardening! 🌱✨