Planting Herbs

Planting Herbs If you love to cook, you’ve probably experienced the frustration of buying fresh herbs from the grocery store and watching them go bad within days. The solution is within reach! Planting your own herbs is surprisingly easy. You can have your favorite herbs on-hand, either in pots or in a garden, and save money over buying them repeatedly at the store.   You can grow herbs from home either from seeds or plants. Starting from seeds will take a little more time but is the most economical option. To grow herbs from seeds, start by planting in a garden flat, then transfer to your garden or containers. The timing for planting will depend on which herb you’re growing, but many herbs can be grown year-round indoors!   You can jumpstart your herb garden by planting already grown plants. Plant these in your garden or in containers on your patio, or even right on your kitchen counter. Soil and sun requirements will vary by plant, but most herbs need a lot of sun. So if you’re planting indoors, choose a spot with plenty of sunshine.   Once your herbs are growing, harvest them for their leaves regularly! Some beginning gardeners are wary of over-harvesting their plants, but regularly pruning leaves actually helps the plants to grow more. Simply make sure you don’t take all the leaves at once. If you have more than you can use, try blending the herbs into a paste and freezing them to use in the off-season.   Most herbs are annuals, meaning the plant will grow for one season and then die. Before you plant anything, research each herb’s growing season so that you time it right. Then get ready to enjoy your favorite herb all season long!   Many beginning gardeners are pleasantly surprised by how easy herbs are to grow. As long as they get sunshine and regular watering, most herbs grow easily and quickly. Some of the most common, easy-to-grow herbs include many chefs’ favorites:

• Basil
• Cilantro
• Mint
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Dill
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Sage
• Chives
• Tarragon