If you’re just starting out in herb gardening for the first time, you may not be sure which herbs are best for your garden. Well, there are many herbs that you can select from; however, there are some which are a little more difficult to grow. Here’s a look at a number of great herbs that you can easily grow, whether or not you’re a novice.
Basil: Basil is an annual herb that flourishes in warm weather. It grows well in a number of environments, but for the best flavor, it needs to have conditions which are hot and dry. The soil should be full of nutrients and fairly moist, and it must be grown in full sun. It’s essential to make sure that basil gets ample heat and light, and between watering it should have time to dry out.
Bay: While this is actually a shrub, bay is a great herb to get started with in your herb garden. It’s a very hardy plant and does well in a number of zones. It needs soil that is rich and not overly wet. However, it does fairly well just about anywhere. The best flavor from this herb comes once the leaves have been dried.
Oregano: Oregano is an essential ingredient in most Italian cuisine and is easy to grow. The leaves can be dried or they can be used fresh in any tomato dish. It is among the easiest herbs to grow and can be grown in almost any area inside or outside. It should have soil that is well drained and also likes full sun, yet it will even grow in soil that is rocky and depleted.
Parsley: Parsley is easy to grow and has many uses. While it is a favorite garnish used in many recipes, it is also great for curing bad breath. You can grow curly leaf and flat leaf parsley with ease, and it grows wonderfully without you having to give it a whole lot of attention. It grows well in light shade and full sun, and it likes moist, rich soil. Parsley doesn’t do very well in the heat, however.
Thyme: This is an herb that is perennial and easy to take care of. It is quite hardy and grows to the size of a small shrub. It prefers a lot of sun and a warm climate to flourish, along with well drained but damp soil. If you’re growing thyme in the house, you will want to ensure that you put the plant near a window so it gets the most light.
These herbs are all easy to raise. Begin with a couple of them and slowly build up your herb garden. Make sure you pay attention to the climate they prefer. While they might be hardy and grow in a variety of regions, they’ll do the best if you grow them in a suitable conditions. After you have tried fresh herbs in your recipes, you will wonder how you ever got along without them.
If you’re looking for tips on how to grow lettuce, how to get started with container gardening, or any other vegetable gardening advice, visit Vegetable Gardening 101.