This article will focus on how to grow the best herbs in your garden. We are talking about the most ordinary of herbs – those that you find in grocery stores and drug stores. These common herbs are the “defaults” when it comes to herb gardening. They are the plants you see at the grocery store and in catalogs. So, what are they used for, what are their uses, how do they grow, how can you grow them, etc?
When people think of herb gardening, the first plants that come to mind are basil, dill, oregano, sage, Rosemary, chives, tarragon, chervil, lemon balm, marjoram, basil, parsley, thyme, sage and oregano. These are by far the most common plants found in herb gardening. But there are more herbs than that. Indeed, plenty of more detailed herbogy articles have yet to come.
But for now, let’s talk about the most common plants in our households and how to grow them properly. How can we ensure better crop yields, more growth, and how to avoid pest infestations? Well, let’s start with thyme. It is a common crop used in herb gardens for its delectable scent and its ability to mask garlic, onion, or fish aromas. It is also good as a companion plant to other herbs like mint, Rosemary, basil, or rose.
Another popular plant growing herbs in pots is the mint plant. Although mint has other uses in cooking, it is a staple in herb gardens because it smells so wonderful when you crush it. Mists from the mint plant are perfect for growing in windowsills and in flower pots. It will do well under sunlight, but mint prefers direct sunlight instead.
For shade-tolerant and hardy plants, you might want to consider lettuce. Lettuce is an ideal plant for the kitchen herb garden because it does not need much maintenance, is pretty low maintenance, and is quite versatile. It is a good choice whether you want a full range of colors (red, purple, orange, yellow), a deep color (reddish orange), or if you want to see the leaves go through the season (fall foliage). The only challenge with growing lettuce is that you have to be sure you can get enough of it to keep the leaves in season. Some varieties of lettuce do not like being crowded, so make sure they are placed accordingly to avoid frosts.
Culinary herbs are perhaps the easiest to start with if you are going to try to learn how to grow the best herbs in your kitchen herb garden. There are several herbs to choose from and a wide variety of ways to train them to take specific care. Several of the culinary herbs can be grown indoors under dark conditions, although you have to be sure that they are able to handle the low light levels. Herbs such as basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, sage, cilantro, chives, and summer savory will thrive in containers. If you would rather have your herbs in your kitchen garden outdoors, think about Rosemary, tarragon, marjoram, basil, parsley, and oregano.
When learning how to grow the best herbs in your kitchen herb garden, remember that annuals should be fertilized every two or three years during the growing season and perennials every year, also during the growing season. Fertilizer applications should be spread out over a wider area than the plant is tall and spread out in the sun, as too much fertilizer can damage the roots and make it difficult for the herbs to grow well. During the winter months, follow up with feedings of freeze-dried fertilizers, also followed by water.
A number of people choose container gardening for the ease of caring for the plants, but it takes more work for growing herbs in containers. Most herbs will do well in pots, but there are some that are more delicate, requiring specially designed pots and containers. Begin with seeds if you are planting from seeds, and keep in mind that perennials require constant weeding throughout the growing season. Many herbs, particularly the mints and bluegrass, can do well in window boxes or hanging baskets.