How to Grow a Herb Garden
Every dish tastes better with fresh herbs, and the best way to get them is to grow them yourself. Read on to know how
Growing herbs is an easy and delicious way to start your gardening journey. The upside of herbal plants is that they don’t need to be grown in a garden of their own and can be tucked anywhere in your existing beds and borders. Because of the dreamy smells that herbs emanate, a herb garden is a luxury for all the senses and working in a herb garden can be as much pleasure as it is work.
Where to plant a herb garden?
Pick a sunny spot but try to keep your herb garden near the kitchen, so you’ll be tempted to step outside and grab what you need while cooking. Of course, if you’re growing herbs other than for kitchen use or if you’re growing large batches of herbs to preserve or dry at the end of the season, kitchen proximity might not be a concern.
Tip: Often the scent of herbs comes from their foliage and is intensified when they are crushed or broken.
Pick a sunny spot but try to keep your herb garden near the kitchen, so you’ll be tempted to step outside and grab what you need while cooking. Of course, if you’re growing herbs other than for kitchen use or if you’re growing large batches of herbs to preserve or dry at the end of the season, kitchen proximity might not be a concern.
Tip: Often the scent of herbs comes from their foliage and is intensified when they are crushed or broken.
How large should it be?
The question of space is more dependent on how much variety you want and how many different types of the herbs are perennial. Kitchen herbs don’t take a lot of space because you cut only what you need and most will regrow new leaves within weeks, so a couple of plants can suffice for your daily needs.
The real thrill of kitchen herb gardening comes in the season when you can harvest herbs by the armful.
A final consideration is whether you will be devoting an entire garden to herbs or interplanting them with other plants in your existing garden.
You could grow them with your veggies or flowers, or on their own.
The question of space is more dependent on how much variety you want and how many different types of the herbs are perennial. Kitchen herbs don’t take a lot of space because you cut only what you need and most will regrow new leaves within weeks, so a couple of plants can suffice for your daily needs.
The real thrill of kitchen herb gardening comes in the season when you can harvest herbs by the armful.
A final consideration is whether you will be devoting an entire garden to herbs or interplanting them with other plants in your existing garden.
You could grow them with your veggies or flowers, or on their own.
Growing herbs in the vegetable garden
Some herbs are well suited to growing in the vegetable garden, where they can be harvested as needed and their self-seeding might even be welcome. Annual herbs like basil, coriander and dill are more convenient if they are near the vegetables they will be cooked with.
Some herbs are well suited to growing in the vegetable garden, where they can be harvested as needed and their self-seeding might even be welcome. Annual herbs like basil, coriander and dill are more convenient if they are near the vegetables they will be cooked with.
Growing herbs in the flower garden
Some herbs are so attractive they deserve a place in the flower garden and can be a key element of garden design. Certainly lavender would be welcome in any spot in the garden.
Tip: A great bonus from inter-planting your herbs in the vegetable or flower garden is that many herbs attract beneficial insects to the garden.
Some herbs are so attractive they deserve a place in the flower garden and can be a key element of garden design. Certainly lavender would be welcome in any spot in the garden.
Tip: A great bonus from inter-planting your herbs in the vegetable or flower garden is that many herbs attract beneficial insects to the garden.
Growing window sill herbs
Herb gardening on a windowsill is a good option for homes that are tight on space or to have herbs close at hand without having to step out.
Internet images which show attractive arrangements of tiny pots with herbs growing in them are not practical: small pots are, in fact, unsuitable for proper plant growth. Go for a good-sized pot (minimum 8 inches in diameter) for growing your windowsill herbs.
Here are some herbs that you can grow.
Herb gardening on a windowsill is a good option for homes that are tight on space or to have herbs close at hand without having to step out.
Internet images which show attractive arrangements of tiny pots with herbs growing in them are not practical: small pots are, in fact, unsuitable for proper plant growth. Go for a good-sized pot (minimum 8 inches in diameter) for growing your windowsill herbs.
Here are some herbs that you can grow.
Dhania or coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
All you need is to sow a row of whole coriander seeds from your kitchen in a pot on a sunny window sill in early spring. Don’t over-water the plant at any point. Soon you’ll see little shoots of coriander that can be plucked and used as a garnish for your food. Refreshing and light, coriander, dhania or cilantro partners brilliantly with all Indian food.
All you need is to sow a row of whole coriander seeds from your kitchen in a pot on a sunny window sill in early spring. Don’t over-water the plant at any point. Soon you’ll see little shoots of coriander that can be plucked and used as a garnish for your food. Refreshing and light, coriander, dhania or cilantro partners brilliantly with all Indian food.
Tulsi or Indian basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
A sacred herb that grows in many Indian homes, tulsi requires plenty of sunlight and water. It should be planted right before the monsoon, under intense heat and allowed to grow through the rain and cooler climate. The leaves have warm, spicy flavour.
A sacred herb that grows in many Indian homes, tulsi requires plenty of sunlight and water. It should be planted right before the monsoon, under intense heat and allowed to grow through the rain and cooler climate. The leaves have warm, spicy flavour.
Gavati chai or lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
You can grow lemongrass by rooting a market-bought stalk. First keep it in a jar of water. Change the water every day till the lemongrass grows about 2 inch tall and then transfer it to a sunny pot and keep it hydrated. Most people use lemongrass to infuse flavour into their teas, but it can be also be used to make flavoured pasta sauce, Thai curries and marinades.
You can grow lemongrass by rooting a market-bought stalk. First keep it in a jar of water. Change the water every day till the lemongrass grows about 2 inch tall and then transfer it to a sunny pot and keep it hydrated. Most people use lemongrass to infuse flavour into their teas, but it can be also be used to make flavoured pasta sauce, Thai curries and marinades.
Pudina or mint (Mentha spicata)
If you happen to have bought mint stalks with roots, you can just plant them (after using the leaves) in a pot. Very easy to grow, once mint takes root it is quite a prolific herb. It is better to grow it in a pot, otherwise this invasive herb can take over your green patch.
If you happen to have bought mint stalks with roots, you can just plant them (after using the leaves) in a pot. Very easy to grow, once mint takes root it is quite a prolific herb. It is better to grow it in a pot, otherwise this invasive herb can take over your green patch.
Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora)
Used primarily for its aroma, basil is used a lot in Indian as well as international cuisines. Identified by its purple stem, pink-purple flowers and narrow green leaves, Thai basil has a mint-like flavour. Plant the new basil in nutrient-rich soil in a sunny area, and water well. Thai basil plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight to flourish.
Used primarily for its aroma, basil is used a lot in Indian as well as international cuisines. Identified by its purple stem, pink-purple flowers and narrow green leaves, Thai basil has a mint-like flavour. Plant the new basil in nutrient-rich soil in a sunny area, and water well. Thai basil plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight to flourish.
Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender plants do best in full sun in warm, well-drained soil. Plant this in your flower garden for a heavenly fragrance every time you pass by.
Lavender plants do best in full sun in warm, well-drained soil. Plant this in your flower garden for a heavenly fragrance every time you pass by.
Korphad or Indian aloe (Aloe vera)
Enjoy this plant by keeping it indoors in a sunny window. Aloe vera is known for its soothing properties for burns or skin problems. Many people keep an aloe vera plant handy in the kitchen for incidental burns, too.
Enjoy this plant by keeping it indoors in a sunny window. Aloe vera is known for its soothing properties for burns or skin problems. Many people keep an aloe vera plant handy in the kitchen for incidental burns, too.
Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus)
Plant lemon thyme plants in the spring in a full sun setting and space them 12 inches apart. These herbs enjoy well-drained soil and minimal irrigation. Attaining a height of 12 to 15 inches, this herb is extremely tolerant of poor soil and drought conditions.
Plant lemon thyme plants in the spring in a full sun setting and space them 12 inches apart. These herbs enjoy well-drained soil and minimal irrigation. Attaining a height of 12 to 15 inches, this herb is extremely tolerant of poor soil and drought conditions.
Label the herb pots
Labelling your plants is a good idea for remembering what plant is where, especially in the early stages of plant growth, when they tend to look confusingly similar. Handmade labels can also be lovely additions as garden decor.
Labelling your plants is a good idea for remembering what plant is where, especially in the early stages of plant growth, when they tend to look confusingly similar. Handmade labels can also be lovely additions as garden decor.
How to harvest the herbs
For harvesting, simply cut off about 1/3 of the branches when the plant is at least 6–8 inches tall. By cutting close above a leaf intersection, your plants will regrow very quickly. Some plants, such as coriander, grow new leaves from their centre. In this case the oldest, outermost stalks need to be completely removed, leaving the tiny new stalks growing at the centre. This will become clearer as you watch your plants grow and mature.
For harvesting, simply cut off about 1/3 of the branches when the plant is at least 6–8 inches tall. By cutting close above a leaf intersection, your plants will regrow very quickly. Some plants, such as coriander, grow new leaves from their centre. In this case the oldest, outermost stalks need to be completely removed, leaving the tiny new stalks growing at the centre. This will become clearer as you watch your plants grow and mature.
Read more:
The Complete Guide to Growing Roses
How to Make Your Garden Sing
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The Complete Guide to Growing Roses
How to Make Your Garden Sing
Tell us:
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it and share your thoughts in Comments below. Join the conversation!
Here are some tips for planting a herb garden.