Growing Herbs. If you’re not, you should!
“There’s an herb for every system, every organ, every gland, and every tissue of our body. Mother nature has put medicine in our food.”
Since I’m in full on garden mode, even though we’re still getting snow, I thought I would share one of my favorite things to grow year-round. Herbs!
I’ve been gearing up for my herb garden outside but wanted to share ideas on growing your own kitchen herb garden, meant to focus on culinary herbs you can use in the kitchen. Since you know I love cooking, this post is to help get you started and especially helpful if you’re not a gardener, per se, but want to start something small.
My personal favorites to grow indoors are rosemary, chives, basil, sage, and parsley. But others you can consider include mint, dill, cilantro, oregano, lemon balm, and tarragon.
The goal of growing a kitchen herb garden is to give you the ability to use fresh herbs while cooking, so they are easy and accessible. They can be grown in your windowsill or just outside the front door. There is nothing more rewarding than that moment when you’re cooking a meal and think “oh, let me go grab some fresh thyme to toss in!” Or even better you could grab that jar of your own homegrown, dried herbs from of the spice rack and add a dash to your dinner.
“I’d rather have a cupboard full of herbs than a closet full of heels.”
Growing herbs is so easy and low maintenance. You can start from seed or get started plants at your local nursery. Either will work perfectly and this spring I’m doing a mix of both. Most culinary herbs prefer to grow in ample sun. They don’t necessarily need to be blasted by full sun all day though. Most herbs are happy with 4-5 hours of sun, but 7-8 is probably ideal.
Similar to most plant, herbs grow best in well-drained soil. As for watering herbs, you’ll want to aim for a moderately damp to semi-dry soil. Some herbs are more dry-tolerant, while others prefer to be damp at all times. To make life easy, just make sure your herbs are somewhat damp but not completely saturated. I typically assess the moisture by using my finger to check how wet or dry the soil is. Overwatering is more likely to kill herbs than under-watering and it’s better to water herbs thoroughly and less often, rather than small frequent watering.
Drying your own herbs is another way to have great flavor on hand at all times. The best way to dry herbs is to cut a bunch, tie them together at the stems, and hang it upside down in a dark, dry location and let nature do the work. This usually takes about 1 - 2 weeks to fully dry. All you need to do is crumble them up and store in a jar.
You can also use a dehydrator and cook at the lowest setting for about 2 - 4 hours. Additionally you can dry herbs out with your oven. Make sure you use silicone mats or parchment paper so the herbs don’t stick to the baking pan. Set your oven on the lowest setting (lower than 180 degrees F) and bake for 1 - 4 hours. You’ll need to keep an eye on your herbs and they will be ready when the leaves crumble easily.
So why should you grow your own herbs? Well, I’ll tell you why…
All the freshies.
Let’s be real, store bought anything will never compare to the fresh goodness of growing your own. What’s found on grocery store shelves just can’t compete against what you can produce from your own sunny love.Taste is everything.
Fresh herbs are so flavorful and dominate over dried herbs. Don’t get me wrong, dried herbs are amazing and much needed. But you have to admit there is something sweeter just picking them off your own vine.Bring life and color to your home.
Having plants around your house is a beautiful thing, and herbs bring a charming color to your scenery. They can fit in compact spaces, like a windowsill, and bring life to your backyard.Bye, bye boring dishes.
Fresh herbs definitely kick up your culinary skills and add a little – something – to your dishes. Potatoes can be a new adventure every time you cook them. Or shake up your bread making skills by adding some herbs. Don’t forget about my favorite no kneading bread recipe here.Think healthy cooking.
Adding fresh herbs to your diet is a great way to add natural healing properties. For example, sage can improve brain function and memory, peppermint may reduce nausea, holy basil helps fight infections and boost immunity, and rosemary can help prevent allergies and nasal congestion.Stress relief.
Tending to your herb garden can help relieve your anxiety or stress. It takes your mind off of things, and the sight and smell of an herb garden can revitalize the soul.The gift of giving.
Growing your own herbs means you will always have plenty to use and share. Herbs make a great gift for friends and family. Bring to a dinner or wrap in a gift basket, it always makes a great presentation.
What are you waiting for? Get that culinary herb garden growing. It’s the easiest thing to manage, yet so rewarding. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
If you have any questions on herbs, leave me a comment below or send me an email. And if you already have an herb garden, tag me in your pics on Instagram (@TheSunshineHustle).
Peace & Love,
Nikki