Herbs are versatile in their usage, as you can use them in culinary and for medicinal purposes. Having a herb garden is a plus point if you are aware of the positives these plants serve. All they need is a boost from the sun, adequate water, and suitable soil to nurture them throughout. Here is a list of ten essential herbs that you can quickly start growing today. Read on to understand their best conditions for growth and their uses.
Parsley
Parsley is a widely used herb for its strong take on flavor. To grow parsley, you will need its seeds grown in moist but well-drained soil and require adequate sunlight. These seeds take around six weeks to germinate. You can use parsley in various dishes, from pasta to soups and stews.
Sage
Sage is an herb that adds intense flavors to your dishes. Sage can be grown from seeds. Usually, it takes ten days to germinate. It grows well in containers and requires a warm and sunny environment with well-drained soil. Remember, you need to water it daily to prevent it from running dry. Sage is great in poultry dishes or stuffing.
Thyme
Thyme needs plenty of sunlight and water with healthy drained soil. It goes well with compost, and you should grow thyme from cuttings rather than the seeds because their germination is uneven. Thyme goes well with grilled meat, soups, and pasta.
Mint
Mint is a multi-functional herb that finds its uses in culinary, medicine, and some refreshing drinks. There are different types of mints, such as peppermint, spearmint, sweet mint, and chocolate mint. You can easily grow all these mints in pots with deep moist soil during spring. Mint adds flavor to meat marinades, and it is good to pair with fruit. It is also great in a salad dressing and an essential part of cocktails and iced teas.
Oregano
Oregano is a perennial herb that tastes similar to thyme and is usually a flavor enhancer. It loves adequate sunlight and is best to grow oregano seeds or cut after around a month before the last spring frost. Frequent trimming is required to encourage a denser-looking plant. It’s not very fond of water, but you shouldn’t let the soil run dry. So water mindfully. Oregano is best to use for grilled meats and tomato sauces.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a tropical herb widely known for its intense citrus flavor. It grows well in a warm and sunny environment, so it quenches the sun for almost six to eight hours. The soil should be rich in compost or organic matter with a consistent water supply. Lemongrass is great in teas, sauces, and soups.
Basil
Basil is a strong-flavored herb that finds its worth in some of the most famous dishes like pesto. Basil grows best in sunlight, so it needs around six to eight hours of solid daylight. Plant the seeds or cuttings in well-drained moist soil and do not treat the ground with any insecticides. Basil works very well with tomatoes, so it finds its way in sauces and tarts.
Rosemary
Rosemary has an intense flavor with a pine-like structure that makes it look like a robust herb. It can be quickly grown in pots, and it requires well-drained, loamy, and slightly acidic requirements. It is drought-resistant, requires around six hours of sunlight, and needs fertilizers. Once you grow the cuttings, it takes approximately eight weeks for them to be rooted. Rosemary is great to use for pork, lamb, or veal dishes.
Bay Laurel
Bay laurel can thrive in sunny to shady environments. It can survive well in any soil type as long as the soil is well-drained. However, if planning to grow in containers, remember they need bigger containers for better growth. It is not very fond of water, so do not overwater, let the surface run a bit dry before you water it again. Bay laurel is best in spice curries like stews and casseroles.
Lavender
Lavender is intensely aromatic and herbal and requires porous soil with a good amount of calcium carbonate. It is drought-resistant and so requires moderate watering. Three-four hours of sunlight should suffice their growth. Lavender is a great option to make essential oil.
The bottom line!
Growing herbs is an easy way to add some flavors, textures, and aroma to your garden. Most of these ten herbs are easy to grow and require low maintenance. Also, they can be quickly grown indoors. Even if you don’t use them in your cooking dishes, they bring a lovely fragrance and look to any room.
