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Growing herbs is one of the easiest ways to dip your toes into the gardening world. Requiring very little space, you can start an herb garden almost anywhere—even right in your apartment. If you are looking for a fun way to add natural fragrance to your home and fresh flavor to your meals, these herb gardening tips for beginners can help.
What to plant
For beginners, it is a good idea to buy your herbs as seedlings instead of seeds. Buying established toddler herbs will decrease the likelihood of your plants dying in infancy and allow you to grow edible results sooner. You can find seedling herbs at a local farmers market, hardware store, or grocery store.
Since most varieties of herbs are fairly easy to grow, the types you choose for your garden will largely depend on personal preference. Ideally, you should pick fragrant herbs that you can utilize in your kitchen to add flavor to meals. These are some popular options for beginners:
- Basil
- Sage
- Oregano
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Cilantro
Where to plant
If you have an area in your home that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, you can grow a thriving herb garden. But sunlight isn’t the only important factor when determining where to set up your herb garden. Choosing an area that is close to a water source is ideal as this will make it easy for you to tend to your plants. For optimal convenience, set up your garden in your kitchen so that you can effortlessly pluck off some herbs and add them to your meals as you cook.
How to plant
You can either grow herbs in small individual pots or in a garden. For beginners, we recommend you start by planting separate herbs in small pots as this is an easier option. The size of the pot will depend on the type of herb you are growing. However, you should generally aim for one that is at least 8 inches in diameter as this will ensure that your herb’s roots have plenty of room to grow without getting tangled. When choosing the potting mix, pick one designed for containers and avoid selecting a garden soil.
Harvesting tips
Herbs respond well to frequent harvesting—just make sure to only take a little bit each time. Removing over a third of the plant at once increases the recovery time it takes for the plant to yield more foliage. For the most flavorful herbs, the best time to harvest is in the morning.
These herb gardening tips for beginners are sure to turn your thumb green in no time.
