Won’t you say ‘yes’ to home-grown herbs, plucked fresh from your garden, to flavor up the dishes you make? Herbs are easy to grow and care for; you can even plant them in containers and pretty up your kitchen window. Just a spoonful and their health benefits are ultimate!
Basil
It is an extremely aromatic herb you can easily grow in your home garden, using seeds.
Planting tips
Basil is low maintenance and you need to water only every alternate day. If you plan to set it in a pot, early spring is best to sow the seeds. Keep the pot near a window that gets good sunlight, and transplant to garden in early summer. If grown outdoors, sow directly in your garden in late spring.
Basil loves well-drained soil and lots of sunlight. Let the soil be damp in hot weather.
Dill
It is a self-seeding plant and its leaves have a sweet taste.
Planting tips
It is easy to grow dill from seeds from late spring to early summer. It requires full sunlight and grows well in dry soil. Water it only once a week and cover with mulch. Keep it hydrated in hot weather.
Chives
Chives are a member of the onion family, sporting pretty purple flowers.
Planting tips
Chives prefer full sun, and moist, rich and well-drained soil. If you choose nursery-grown plants, set them in your yard in early spring, 9–12 inches apart. It needs regular watering through the growing season for a good harvest. It could reach up to 18 inches in height, but does not eat up space. Do not leave the flowers, as it would scatter seeds all over and overwhelm your garden space.
Fennel
Fennel has a unique aroma with a sweetish taste.
Planting tips
Growing fennel by seed is an easier option. Sow seeds about an inch deep, spaced at least 10–12 inches just when the last spring frost begins to appear. Soak seeds for a day or two before sowing for healthy germination. All it requires is well-drained and enriched soil. It grows well in full sunlight or partial shade. Water regularly and use mulch to keep the soil moist.
If planting in containers, set fennel in slightly larger holders, as it develops roots extensively.
Mint
Mint is just right to start off an herb garden. It is recommended to grow mint in a pot as it could choke up the plants around with its invasive runner roots.
Planting tips
Seedlings bought from a garden supply store are the best bet. You should plant mint on a raised bed in partial shade. It needs loose, fertile soil to grow healthy. Water frequently as it dries out fast.
Parsley
It is a delicious herb. Flat leaf parsley is more flavorful and best for cooking, and the curled variety is used as a garnish.
Planting tips
Parsley is ideally grown from late spring until winter. It is another easy-to-grow herb that requires less sunlight and well-hydrated soil to thrive well. Watch it grow slowly; it takes a bit more time than other herbs.
Gardener’s tips
Pinch off herbs regularly. You should water in moderation. Most herbs grow well with a monthly feed of fertilizer.
Chives, thyme, mint and fennel are perennials.
Dill and basil are annuals. They flower for only one season, so they need to be replanted.
Majority of the herbs do well in good sunlight, while some may need just a little sunlight or full shade. Make sure you read the instructions on the seed packet before planting.
Basil
It is an extremely aromatic herb you can easily grow in your home garden, using seeds.
Planting tips
Basil is low maintenance and you need to water only every alternate day. If you plan to set it in a pot, early spring is best to sow the seeds. Keep the pot near a window that gets good sunlight, and transplant to garden in early summer. If grown outdoors, sow directly in your garden in late spring.
Basil loves well-drained soil and lots of sunlight. Let the soil be damp in hot weather.
Dill
It is a self-seeding plant and its leaves have a sweet taste.
Planting tips
It is easy to grow dill from seeds from late spring to early summer. It requires full sunlight and grows well in dry soil. Water it only once a week and cover with mulch. Keep it hydrated in hot weather.
Chives
Chives are a member of the onion family, sporting pretty purple flowers.
Planting tips
Chives prefer full sun, and moist, rich and well-drained soil. If you choose nursery-grown plants, set them in your yard in early spring, 9–12 inches apart. It needs regular watering through the growing season for a good harvest. It could reach up to 18 inches in height, but does not eat up space. Do not leave the flowers, as it would scatter seeds all over and overwhelm your garden space.
Fennel
Fennel has a unique aroma with a sweetish taste.
Planting tips
Growing fennel by seed is an easier option. Sow seeds about an inch deep, spaced at least 10–12 inches just when the last spring frost begins to appear. Soak seeds for a day or two before sowing for healthy germination. All it requires is well-drained and enriched soil. It grows well in full sunlight or partial shade. Water regularly and use mulch to keep the soil moist.
If planting in containers, set fennel in slightly larger holders, as it develops roots extensively.
Mint
Mint is just right to start off an herb garden. It is recommended to grow mint in a pot as it could choke up the plants around with its invasive runner roots.
Planting tips
Seedlings bought from a garden supply store are the best bet. You should plant mint on a raised bed in partial shade. It needs loose, fertile soil to grow healthy. Water frequently as it dries out fast.
Parsley
It is a delicious herb. Flat leaf parsley is more flavorful and best for cooking, and the curled variety is used as a garnish.
Planting tips
Parsley is ideally grown from late spring until winter. It is another easy-to-grow herb that requires less sunlight and well-hydrated soil to thrive well. Watch it grow slowly; it takes a bit more time than other herbs.
Gardener’s tips
Pinch off herbs regularly. You should water in moderation. Most herbs grow well with a monthly feed of fertilizer.
Chives, thyme, mint and fennel are perennials.
Dill and basil are annuals. They flower for only one season, so they need to be replanted.
Majority of the herbs do well in good sunlight, while some may need just a little sunlight or full shade. Make sure you read the instructions on the seed packet before planting.
