15 Easy to grow herbs for your kitchen herb garden
Herbs are plants which have been valued for ages for their aroma, flavor and medicinal values. Though they have a valuable role they are very simple to grow. They can grow in any type of soil with less maintenance in even small containers placed near your kitchen window. Given below are 15 easy to grow herbs to make a herb garden on your own:
1. Rosemary: A perennial herb which becomes a shrub in few years requires a bright and spacious place to thrive in. Water the plants occasionally thereby keeping the soil dry. Rosemary adds a lot of flavor to meat and veggie dishes.
2. Basil: This herb grows well in the sun and needs ample watering. Make sure the basil pots have a good water drainage system as the water retention might cause the roots to rot. For the herb to grow faster and yield better, pinch off its flower heads. Add basil leaves to garnish your food in the end as heating them would spoil the flavor.
3. Thyme: Thyme helps in digestion by breaking down the fats in many foods and also boosts the flavor of meat and veggie dishes. These herbs should be grown under the sun in small containers in a well drained soil. Crop the plant’s stem tips to facilitate a bushy growth.
4. Sage: These woody perennial herbs grow taller and require abundant sunlight for their growth. So, they can be placed outdoors where there is proper drainage of water. It is advisable to bring the plant indoors during winter. Sage has a peppery flavor and studies have revealed its use in treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Parsley: This is a biennial herb which requires plenty of water for its sustenance. The seeds are soaked enough in water to germinate before you plant them. Unlike most of the herbs, parsleys need fertilizers twice a week to obtain optimum growth. These herbs are added as a flavoring agent to a wide variety of dishes, soups, salads and sauces.
6. Chives: A member of the onion family and it adds great flavor to soups and vegetable dishes. Chives can grow in bright sunny conditions supported with good water supply. Trim it occasionally to improve the longevity of the plant. These herbs can be grown from seeds or directly from the plant itself.
7. Mint: Planting mint stalks in spring helps this perennial herb to grow fast. Mints grow at a faster pace so trimming them frequently will help maintaining the herbs freshness. Mint can be used to prepare sauces, jellies, lemonades etc. The pleasant aromatic smell of mint gives an air of freshness when consumed.
8. Oregano: Oregano grows from seeds or root cuttings and is an important part of Italian and Greek cuisines. It grows well in a sunny, well drained soil. When dried it acts as great culinary herb.
9. Tarragon: A perennial herb which requires a lot of sunlight and soil enriched with nutrients. This herb can be propagated by division as it grows taller with slender branched stems. Predominant in French cooking, tarragon adds flavor to chicken, lasagna, fish and egg dishes.
10. Cilantro: Also referred as coriander, these herbs can be easily grown from its seeds. The entire cilantro plant is edible as its leaves aid in garnishing, seeds in adding spice and roots in adding flavor to soups.
11. Lemon balm: This herb is often used in flavoring ice creams and herbal teas. It can be grown indoors where there is a good amount of sunlight in well drained sandy soil. It can be either propagated by stem cuttings or seeds.
12. Celery: These herbs are raised from seeds and require full sun and moist soil for its sustenance. Celery is edible at any stage and adds a very distinctive odor to the dishes added. Apart from having medicinal value, celery also forms part of weight-loss diets.
13. Dills: This perennial herb can be grown indoors provided there is enough sunlight and moisture around. Bury the seeds under loose soil, water them and place under the sun for desirable results. Dill seeds are mostly used as spices while the leaves add flavor to soups and pickles.
14. Lemon grass: Predominant in Asian cuisines, lemon grass can be grown from fresh stalks obtained from market. Plant the grass roots in soil which is watered regularly. Avoid over watering as it may cause rotting of the roots. Like most of the herbs, it requires a lot of sunlight to grow. Its citrus flavor is used in soups, tea and curries.
15. Sweet marjoram: Often confused with oregano, this perennial herb grows well in well-drained loamy soil. Known for its aromatic leaves, marjoram is mainly used for culinary purposes.
Though most of herbs mentioned above require similar conditions to grow, each one has a different aroma and flavor. Apart from the flavor, they add great nutritional value to our foods. Hope these herbs add value to your life and garden too.
