How often have you bought a bunch of herbs, used a small amount then thrown the rest away? Growing your own herbs is simple and there are so many reasons to grow your own herbs: to save money, to prevent waste, the maintenance is low and the taste is infinitely better than store bought herbs. Plus it is extremely satisfying to pick fresh herbs that you have grown to use in your cooking.
Spring is the perfect time to plant herbs. You don’t need a garden to grow fresh herbs – most will grow quite happily in pots or tubs.
You can grow herbs either from seeds or seedlings. I prefer to grow them from seedlings, because I am impatient and also I find I have more success with already established seedlings.
Start with herbs that you like and use often in your cooking. Some good herbs to start with are parsley, chives, basil and mint. I have an established herb garden and currently grow parsley, oregano, chives, thyme, rosemary, chervil, coriander, rocket, watercress, tarragon, mint, basil, sage, sorrel and lemongrass. Some herbs grow better in warmer weather than the cooler winter months, like chives and basil.
All herbs require good light and part or full sunshine, so keep this in mind when deciding where to plant the herbs or locate the pots. Some herbs such as parsley and mint are tolerant of shade. Read the back of the packet of seeds or the information usually included when buying seedlings. If possible, I recommend choosing a location that is convenient to your kitchen.
Herbs require a well-drained soil. Most herbs don’t like too much water, but won’t tolerate extremely dry conditions either, make sure the soil does not dry out. When your plants become large, prune the tops to keep them bushy and healthy. Fertilise occasionally with a diluted liquid fertiliser to ensure strong growth.
Happy gardening!
