The Joy of Homegrown Herbs
I remember the first time I had real success as a gardener – it was with herbs. There was the rosemary plant that I somehow managed to keep alive all winter in my kitchen window, and then planted outdoors in the spring. And then there was the oregano that my mom planted by seed after I had my second baby – it just grew and grew, even though I did nothing to tend to it. And of course, the trusty chives that I kept in a little pot by the back door, snipping away whenever I needed a fresh flavor boost for a dish.
When I think back on those early herb growing experiences, I recall the pride I felt at keeping a plant alive for the first time, the awe I had at how hardy those oregano plants were in the face of my pretty severe neglect, and the sheer excitement at the prospect of never having to buy rosemary from the grocery store again. Herbs really are the perfect starter plants for new and would-be gardeners. They don’t require much space, much sunlight, or even much tending. If you’re looking for a place to start your gardening journey, herbs are definitely the way to go.
Unlocking the Secrets of Herb Plant Families
But before you rush out and start buying up every herb plant you can find, it’s important to take a step back and really get to know the unique needs and characteristics of the different herb plants. You see, herb plants are quite different from most other plants in the vegetable garden. Their needs and care demands are truly unique to them, unlike the more common plants like tomatoes, squash, beans, or even lettuces.
My favorite way to dive into understanding herb plants is to learn which plant family each one belongs to. In fact, I love this method so much that I even made a whole video about it! By learning the key herb plant families, you’ll be able to start categorizing the different herbs you want to grow and understand each plant’s unique growing requirements.
For example, did you know that rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, and marjoram all belong to the mint family? Or that basil, lemon balm, and anise hyssop are all part of the Lamiaceae family? And cilantro, dill, and parsley are all members of the carrot family, the Apiaceae?
Once you start to grasp these plant family connections, it becomes so much easier to set up your herb garden for success. After all, the key is to recreate an environment for your herbs that feels just like home to them. And by understanding their plant family roots, you’ll know exactly what kind of soil, sun exposure, and care each one needs.
Crafting the Perfect Herb Garden Oasis
Now that you’ve got a handle on the different herb plant families, it’s time to start thinking about where you’re going to actually grow your herbs. In my experience, the most successful herb gardens are often set up in raised beds or containers, rather than directly in the ground.
You see, many of the herbs we love to cook with didn’t actually originate in the heavy, wet clay soils that are so common in many backyard gardens. Rosemary is native to the rocky, limestone soils of the Mediterranean, oregano thrives in the dry, well-draining soil of the mountains, and thyme prefers the sandy conditions of the coastal regions.
So by creating a raised garden or using containers, you can easily engineer the perfect soil blend for your herbs to really feel at home. Adding in some compost or perlite to improve drainage can make all the difference. And if you really want to go the extra mile, you can even source soil from the specific regions where your herbs are from originally.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to grow each herb in its own little pot. In fact, I’ve found that herbs actually do better when they’re grown together in one larger container or raised bed. They don’t need a ton of space to themselves, and being able to share resources like water and nutrients from the soil can really help them thrive.
Just be sure to group together herbs that have similar growing requirements. For example, you could create an “Italian Herb” container with basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. Or a “Mediterranean Blend” with lavender, rosemary, sage, and marjoram. That way, you can ensure each plant is getting exactly what it needs to reach its full flavor potential.
Growing Herbs the Right Way, from Seed to Harvest
Of course, once you’ve got your ideal herb garden oasis all set up, the real fun begins – actually growing and harvesting those delicious herbs! And the key, in my opinion, is to start from seed whenever possible.
Now, I know what you might be thinking – starting seeds can be daunting, especially for herbs that are notoriously slow to germinate. But trust me, it’s worth the effort. By growing your herbs from seed, you’ll have complete control over the varieties you’re growing, ensuring you end up with exactly the flavors you love.
Plus, starting from seed is significantly more cost-effective than buying pre-grown herb plants, especially if you plan to grow a wide variety. Those little herb plants at the big box stores have often traveled quite a distance and been treated with all sorts of synthetic fertilizers and fungicides just to look good on the shelves. And if you don’t continue to baby them with the same products once you get them home, they’re likely to just give up and die on you.
Instead, order your herb seeds from a trusted, organic source like Baker Creek, Botanical Interests, or High Mowing. Then, get those little seeds started in a cozy, indoor seed-starting setup – a simple tabletop greenhouse or even just a sunny windowsill will do the trick. With a little bit of patience and care, those seeds will soon sprout into vibrant, healthy seedlings, ready to be transplanted into your beautiful herb garden oasis.
Harvesting the Fruits (and Leaves) of Your Labor
Of course, the most rewarding part of growing your own herbs is getting to enjoy the fresh, flavorful bounty straight from your garden. And let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of stepping outside, scissors in hand, and snipping off a few sprigs of rosemary or a handful of basil leaves to add the perfect finishing touch to your meal.
The best part is, most herbs are considered “cut-and-come-again” plants, meaning you can harvest from them over and over again throughout the growing season. So instead of letting those precious leaves go to waste in the fridge, you can just head out to your garden, trim what you need, and let the plants regrow for the next time.
And if you really want to maximize your herb-growing efforts, you can even preserve your harvests to enjoy year-round. Drying herbs is a simple and effective method, allowing you to stock up your pantry with all the thyme, oregano, and marjoram your heart desires. Or try freezing tender herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley – they hold their flavor remarkably well when frozen.
The key is to embrace the abundance of your herb garden and never let a single leaf go to waste. Whether you’re sprinkling them fresh over your meals, blending them into vibrant pestos, or preserving them for the off-season, homegrown herbs are the gift that keeps on giving.
The Endless Culinary (and Environmental) Benefits of Herb Gardening
But the benefits of growing your own herbs go far beyond just the incredible flavor they’ll bring to your cooking. Herbs are also packed with a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a nutritional powerhouse for your meals. And when you grow them organically in your own backyard, you can be sure they’re free of any harmful pesticides or contaminants.
And let’s not forget the environmental impact. Plastic-wrapped herb packages from the grocery store are a major contributor to our global plastic waste problem, with those little containers often taking 1,000 years or more to break down in landfills. But when you grow your own, you can say goodbye to all that unnecessary packaging and the associated carbon footprint of transporting those herbs from far-off farms.
Plus, herbs make fantastic additions to your home landscaping, with their vibrant colors, interesting textures, and aromatic properties. Imagine flanking your front entrance with a pair of beautiful bay laurel shrubs, or cascading thyme and rosemary spilling over the edges of decorative planters. Not only will it look stunning, but you’ll have a constant supply of fresh herbs at your fingertips!
And for those of us with kids, growing herbs can be a fantastic way to get them excited about eating their veggies (or should I say, their herbs?). Sprinkling some homegrown oregano on a homemade pizza or cilantro** on tacos is an easy way to ensure there’s always something green and nutritious on their plate. Plus, the act of gardening itself can inspire a deeper connection to the food system and the natural world.
Bringing the Kitchen Garden Back, One Herb at a Time
So if you’re ready to take the plunge and start growing your own herb garden, I say go for it! It’s one of the most rewarding and impactful things you can do, both for your culinary endeavors and for the health of our planet.
Just imagine never having to buy another plastic-wrapped bundle of herbs from the grocery store – how liberating would that feel? And the pride and satisfaction you’ll get from snipping fresh rosemary, thyme, and basil straight from your own backyard oasis? Priceless.
It may seem daunting at first, but I promise, with a little bit of research and a willingness to experiment, you’ll be a herb gardening pro in no time. So what are you waiting for? Let’s bring the kitchen garden back, one herb at a time!
