One of the most rewarding feelings you can have is bringing food from the garden to your table. There is that little tickle of anticipation as you wait. First your seeds begin to sprout, then your first leaves form, and finally you can enjoy harvesting your hard work. What a practice in patience and care! Herb gardens are the best beginning point.
Whether you have 40 acres or a 4-foot patio to work with, planting, growing, and harvesting your own food is a great way to get in touch with nature. A great way to begin your gardening adventure is with herbs! These little plants pack a lot of punch and can transform a recipe into something amazing. Plus, you’ll have the joy of knowing exactly where it came from!
Plan Your Garden
When you’re starting out an herb garden, the possibilities are nearly endless from what you choose to grow, where to grow them, and how many you want to care for. A great place to start is to think about what you use in your kitchen daily. Take inventory of those herbs you pull out of your spice rack to make that crispy, roasted broccoli, those savory chicken thighs, or that perfect pasta sauce. Once you have an idea of what you’re using, it’s time to make a plan.
If you’re new to the gardening scene, starting with just a handful of plants is a great way to go. Setting up your herb garden can not only add value to your recipes, but it can also brighten up your space with a little “functional greenery”!
Plants need a small amount of essentials to be successful: light, water, dirt. Seems simple, right? With all hobbies or interests, this too can take a little bit of trial and error, so don’t get discouraged if these little seedlings give you some guff. Practice and patience is key.
Ready, Set, Grow!
Now on to the fun part, starting your herb garden! Gather up your plant essentials now and begin your journey.
- Dirt – A well, draining potting soil mix is perfect for this application
- Pots – Most herbs grow great in small to medium sized pots
- Seeds – Remember your kitchen inventory? Pick the seeds that work for you
- Location – Pick a bright, sunny location that will help your herbs thrive
Fill your pots up with your soil and sew your first seeds according to the recommendations on the seed packet. Each seed will need a slightly different planting depth and spacing.
To begin the sprouting process, you will want to make sure your seeds have plenty of warmth and moisture to help them germinate. A seed mat can assist with the beginning stages. To keep these delicate little guys moist during their starts, it helps to have a covering over the pot as well. Upside down mason jars, or plastic bags will seal in the moisture and heat so they have the best conditions to begin sprouting.
The waiting game begins. Check on your seeds daily to ensure they have adequate moisture and water as necessary. The soil should be moist, but not overly damp. One thing to check for during this stage is that there is no mold starting on the top layer of soil. This is called “dampening off” and can quash your tiny seedlings. If you notice the telltale signs of white fuzz on your soil, simply vent your seedlings a little to give them a slightly dryer climate. The most common reason this occurs is overwatering, so while they should be moist, take care as to not give them too much water.
Trust the Process
Depending on the variety of herb you have planted, within a week or few weeks you will begin to see green shoots poking up through the surface. They seem so small at this point; you may be asking how they will possibly provide you with enough flavor. Hang in there! They are ready to take off now and grow into full, beautiful herbs! As these seedlings get their first set of leaves, you can start taking off your moisture dome and allowing them to grow without the aide. Continue to water them on a regular basis and allow them to grow for several weeks.
Harvest Time
Once you have a bushy, green plant in your growing area, you can harvest them throughout the summer! Take a pair of sharp kitchen scissors and cut them as you need to use them for fresh herbs in recipes, gather a handful for storing in your refrigerator crisper drawer, or begin drying out your cuttings to save in your cupboard. Your harvest is ready, and the reward is delicious!
Here are some great herbs to try out in your new garden today:
- Parsley
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Cilantro
- Mint
- Dill
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Chives
Once you have the hang of gardening your herbs, branch out to other vegetables, flowers, or fruits (pun fully intended 😉)!
Be sure to check out our RECIPES section for some great ideas to cook up a storm with your new harvest!
