Herbs You Can Grow in Your Kitchen
As Spring mussels its way into our lives once more, it’s hard not to enjoy the life that’s spurting from the ground. Especially, when that life can add a kick of flavour to our cooking. An edible garden is the perfect start for any culinarily-inclined green thumb. In today’s blog, we’ll talk about how you can begin growing herbs in your own kitchen and give you the lowdown on what plants to pick based on what you like to eat!
How to Grow Herbs
There are several factors that go into growing these plants:
- Light
- Space
- Water
- Soil
- Care
Like all plants, some herbs might react differently to these variables, but here’s a general guide to at-home gardening.
Light
Plants need light so they can feed themselves through a process called photosynthesis. Without enough sunshine, your herbs will be spindly and lack flavour. Place your garden in front of a south-facing window where it will get at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. If you don’t have any south-facing windows in your home, or have limited natural light, you can opt for a grow light. This device creates artificial light that and usually comes with instructions for plant care.
Space
Whether you start with seeds or saplings, your herbs need to have enough room to grow. Pre-grown plants require a container that is at least 6-12 inches deep. Seeds only require 2-4 inches, but will need to be moved to a taller container when they grow. Your container should have some sort of draining system.
Water
Unlike other plants, herbs do not require a lot of watering. Let the soil dry before you moisten it, and refrain from letting it become soggy.
Soil
Many herbs prefer loose, fast-draining soil. Using potting mix, rather than dirt from the garden, is a great way to avoid any soil born diseases. Also, feed them with a fertiliser (suitable for edibles) at least once a month. Avoid using too much so as to let the plant retain its concentrated flavour!
Care
Herbs are pretty lowkey but require some maintenance to truly thrive. Snip and use the plants to encourage growth. They will grow back even fuller!
Remember, most herbs are annual plants that will only last 4-6 months so don’t be disheartened if they need to be replaced.
What to Pick?
Here are our recommendations for herbs to grow in your kitchen-garden.
- Basil. Perfect for pestos and pasta sauces, basil is easy to grow indoors. However, the plant only lasts a few weeks so new seeds will need to be repurchased regularly.
- Bay Laurel. Another strong staple of Mediterranean food, these flavourful leaves are perfect for soups and stews. Good air circulation helps to prevent any diseases.
- Chervil. Used in traditional French cuisine, chervil has a parsley-like flavour. This plant requires deeper pots for optimal root length.
- Chives. This onion-flavoured herb looks a lot like stiff grass. It will grow back once chopped!
- Mint. There are many different varieties of mint to choose from. What’s more, mint is a very hardy plant that can survive cooler temperatures.
- Oregano. Found in Italian, Mexican, Central American, and Middle Eastern cuisine. This herb is grown a lot like mint.
- Parsley. A bright addition to any piece, parsley requires a deep pot and lots of strong light.
- Rosemary. Excellent on potatoes and meats, Rosemary is another herb that can thrive in cooler temperatures.
- Thyme. With its very versatile flavour, thyme is key ingredient in most dishes. Be careful not to overwater this plant as it can wilt!
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