How to Grow Herbs at Home Like a Pro

Growing herbs at home might seem intimidating, but once you grasp the basics, you’ll find it’s not as hard as it seems. The secret is to give your herbs the best possible start, whether you’re cultivating them in soil or pots. So, if you’ve had trouble maintaining your herbs but still want to grow your own for cooking, herre are tips to jumpstart your gardening adventure.

Carefully consider the placement

The placement of herbs is important, and it can vary depending on the type. Some need many hours of sunlight per day, and others are fine with shaded areas. Hardy herbs like thyme and oregano do well in shade, making them easier to grow. Herbs like basil are trickier because they require a strong climate. Something like a greenhouse window can help provide the heat and enhanced sunlight herbs like this need year round.

Give them the best start

Healthy and hearty herbs rely on getting a good start in life. Assuming you don’t have a nursery and have purchased potted herbs, you need to treat them right as soon as you get home. Here are a few quick tips to get started:

• When growing in soil, make the hole twice as large as the container of the herbs.
• Be gentle when removing herbs from the container, and tease the roots gently.
• Firm the soil around the plant and then cover the surface with organic mulch.

Most herbs are fine in soil if they are prepared well. Almost all can be grown in containers for a while before they get too big. However, be careful not to damage the herbs as you transplant them from pots to soil or container to container. Be gentle around the roots.

Grow herbs at home for cooking

Herbs can help bring your home cooking to life. From Mexican dishes to Indian curries and hearty Italian dishes, herbs such as chives, coriander, and basil take your food to another level. Try to grow the herbs you love to use and match them with the food you cook each day.

Learn a little about your herbs

Gardening is a lovely outdoor hobby, and for many, it becomes something of an obsession. Herbs have practical uses and aren’t as challenging as vegetables or flowers. However, you still face some challenges in growing herbs. You are more likely to stick with it when you understand a bit more about what you are growing. This way, you can choose the ones to use and that will grow well at home.

What are annuals and perennials?

Herbs come in different varieties and they all have uses in different types of cooking. Annual herbs, also called soft herbs, grow for a season and need to be planted by seed again. Examples include dill and parsley. Perennials are hardy herbs with woody stems, such as rosemary and oregano. These don’t need replanting and will just grow like a standard bush.

Start with the easiest to grow

Some herbs can be hard to grow and require specific things. However, there is a lot of crossover, and once you get the basics, you will be able to grow any herb you want. To begin with, make it easier on yourself with some of the easiest ones, including:

• Mint grows rapidly, spreads out, and is used in cooking, cocktails, and tea.
• Thyme is a hardy herb that prefers rocky soil and livens up roasted dishes.
• Chives are part of the onion family, grow like grass, and make a wonderful garnish.
• Lemon balm grows well with good drainage and is excellent for flavoring teas.
• Sage grows well with good drainage and works well with roasts.
• Oregano is hardy, doesn’t need much attention, and is a staple of Italian cooking.
• Basil: is the king of herbs, is easy to grow in containers, and enhances any dish.

In general, most herbs are easy to grow, which makes them a good introduction to gardening. They can be a good starting point for home cooks who wish to begin growing vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers and other simple plants such as lettuces.

Potting vs. planting

All herbs can live in a pot, but some require repotting as they grow. Metal, clay and wood pots work for any herb. However, annuals will typically do better in pots than perennials, but there are some exceptions. For example, mint grows quickly and spreads its roots, so it does better in soil with space. Some perennials, such as thyme, grow just as well in pots as in the soil. Consider how much you will use the herb and what is best for the specific plant.

Indoor and outdoor herbs

Herbs will generally grow better outdoors, but you have no control over the climate. Indoor herbs are easier to grow because you can control everything they need, such as light, water and heat. Hardy perennials such as rosemary are fine to be left outdoors and will often thrive. Softer herbs, such as parsley, are tender and require more care. You can look after indoor herbs very well using self-watering plant pots, indoor irrigation systems, and LED nurseries.

Cuttings to grow herbs at home

As you learn more about your herbs and get better at them, you can begin to cut them to grow more. Cut herbs will last in the fridge for up to three weeks, and you can use these for cooking. Cut stems are used to grow more herbs. Herbs like basil and mint can be cut for replanting at any time during their growing stage. You can also cut woody herbs at the early growing stage to replant some for growing more, such as rosemary, thyme and oregano.

Tips for growing in containers

One of the easiest ways to grow herbs is in containers, and most beginners will prefer this option. It is also useful if you don’t have a lot of space in a garden bed to plant them. Long pots are better as they allow the roots to grow deep, but remember some of these tips beforehand:

• Keep the compost or soil moist but never soggy, or the roots will die.
• Replant herbs into larger pots if necessary, but try not to overpot them.
• Start with hardy herbs such as rosemary, as they can be left in containers for years.

Placing the pots in a well-lit and warm area will also help. Some herbs, such as tarragon, will die if they get too cold. The good thing about potted herbs is that you can move them as you need to. This allows you to control the amount of sunlight, shade, and moisture they are exposed to.

Control pests and diseases

Most herbs don’t succumb to pests as much as other plants, such as flowers. However, there are some you need to look out for. Spider mites and aphids are common pests for herbs. And caterpillars find them just as delicious as humans do. Of course, you cannot use pesticides because you will consume the herbs. A sharp spray is often enough to get rid of most pests. And planting extra herbs for caterpillars can help offset the losses when they eat them.