Starting Your Fresh Herb Garden
Culinary Culture
Learning
Sustainability
Fancy starting your own fresh herb garden but feeling a bit overwhelmed, or intimidated, or both? No need to worry – it’s much simpler than you think, even if you haven’t the slightest idea as to where to start or what to do.
Once you realize how simple it truly is, you’ll question why you didn’t start sooner. And you’ll love the added benefit of saving money when you no longer have to buy herbs at the grocery store. Read on for some quick and useful tips and then get going!
Basic Tips for a Fresh (Herb Garden) Start
Follow these simple tips and your herb garden will be thriving in no time.
Buy herbs that are easy to start (read: hearty plants) from seed, such as parsley and chives. These herbs are also cheaper to buy as seeds. You can also get some as young plants from your local nursery. Also, try planting your seeds in peat pots first. These dried little discs of peat expand when soaked in water. All you need to do is plant a few seeds inside, keep everything moist, and make sure it gets enough sun. When your sprouts get big enough, you can transplant the peat pot to a larger container. It’s almost a foolproof way to start seeds.
Most importantly, grow your herbs in pots. This saves space and keeps your herbs mobile in the event you need to move them under protective cover or indoors due to inclement weather. Don’t have any space outside? Plant your herbs in tiny pots and set them on your kitchen windowsill – after all, it’s the most convenient spot to keep them!
Recipes You Can Make with Fresh Herbs
Herbs can be used in a wide array of recipes, including tasty marinades and salad dressings. Our Blue Plate Spring Menu incorporates plenty of fresh herbs and spring-inspired flavors. And, when you grow your own fresh herbs, you can do the same with your homemade meals.
Need some inspiration? Check out recipes for flavorful Italian Spice Mixes, which use fresh parsley, basil, thyme, and oregano. This mix can be used in a variety of recipes, such as our Italian Herb Vinaigrette, Italian Herb Marinade, and Italian Herb Butter.
Share your recipes with the fresh herbs from your new garden and let us know what you think!