How to Grow Herbs

Wondering how to grow herbs? All you need is a sunny ledge to grow potted herbs, and you’ll have fresh herbs to cook with all summer long.

Our tip no. 1 for a healthy and delicious diet? fresh herbs. Why? They add amazing flavor without adding any calories. While you may not have a garden with space for herbs, all you need is a sunny front step, porch, or ledge to grow herbs in pots. Wondering where to start? Read on for tips on growing herbs.

Related: Recipe for Herb and Garlic Salt | How to compost

Why grow your own herbs?

Alex and I have been growing ours for years. Not only do they offer great taste, but they are also inexpensive. A basil plant costs less than a single-use packet from the grocery store and will provide basil all summer long (and pesto for the winter!). We also grow some perennial herbs in our garden that survive the winter and start blooming as early as March here in Indiana. We highly recommend growing a pot of culinary herbs, even if you only have a small patch of sunshine.

Related: DIY Gold Painted Herb Pots

How to grow herbs (in pots)

Go to the store

1. Buy herbal plants. We buy our herbs from sprouts or plants that have already started. You can grow herbs from seeds, but it takes a little more time and energy. For beginners, we find it easier to start with appetizers. You can find appetizers at your local nursery or farmer’s market.
   **Our best herbs to grow (in order of priority): Basil, oregano, mint, dill, thyme, chives, rosemary, sage
2. buy glasses. Any glass will do; They can be clay or plastic. Important: Look for pots with drainage holes in the bottom. If the pots don’t have holes, you can also drill holes.
3. Buy earth and lava stones. Buy a potting soil. If your pot doesn’t have drainage holes in the bottom (and even if there are), it’s good to have a few rocks in the bottom of the pot for good drainage.

get dirty

1. Fill nearly full pots with soil, then make fountains for the plants you want to add. Don’t overload the herbs; leave plenty of room for growth.
2. Peel the roots herbaceous plants so that they can root easily, and then insert them into the indentations.
3. Cover with remaining dirtup to the edge of the pot.
4. Put the pots in a sunny spoton a patio or porch, or even a sunny cornice.

Water regularly

1. Water the pots every few days, making sure the soil doesn’t dry out.
2. To harvest herbs as needed. The grasses will grow back throughout the summer. For basil, pinch the top (where 4 leaves have formed) periodically. Two stems will grow in their place, forming a tall, bushy plant (don’t be shy!).
3. Eat! Nothing beats a margarita pizza or a caprese salad with fresh garden basil.

How to grow basil

Since basil is one of the most popular herbs to grow and has specific care instructions, we’ve dedicated an entire article to it! See How to grow basil.

Basil also has a special way of harvesting it to get a tall, bushy plant. See How to harvest basil.

And looking for ways to keep fresh basil when you bring it indoors? We have a great way to keep it fresh for 3-5 days: behold How to store fresh basil.

Favorite recipes with fresh herbs

Now that you’ve mastered growing herbs, here are some of our favorite fresh herb recipes!

basil

oregano

mint

dill

thyme

chives

rosemary

Way

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