Produce from the grocery store travels an average of 1,500 miles between the farm to your plate. Growing food in your own backyard tastes better, benefits the planet, and is more nutritious than anything that has been sitting on a truck for days. Nothing compares to the taste of fresh herbs grown right in your backyard, or the smell of basil growing in your kitchen windowsill.
Creating an herb garden is simple. We will break it down two ways: First, an outdoor herb container garden and secondly, a countertop herb garden for the kitchen.
Herb Container Garden:
Supplies:
- Organic Potting Soil + Cactus Mix
- 12-14inch Container with drainage hole (can go bigger or smaller depending on the number of herbs)
- Herbs (we used 6-7 with similar soil and watering needs)
- Water
- Optional: pot toes or saucer
Herb list:
- Barbeque Rosemary
- Hot & Spicy Oregano
- English Lavender ‘Hidcoate’
- Golden Chives
- Variegated Lemon Thyme
- Parsley
- ‘Icterina’ Golden Sage
Herbs need at least 6-8 hours of full sun every day.
These herbs have similar watering needs and prefer sandy soil. Consider the water and space requirements when picking the herbs for your herb garden. Basil does well in a container by itself so it can be protected until temperatures rise to 55 degrees at night. Start harvesting the leaves once there at least eight on each stem. Mint also does well in a container by itself. If planted in the garden, mint will spread rapidly. Keep it contained by growing it in a pot.
Indoor Herb Container Garden
Supplies:
- Container with a drainage hole
- Organic potting soil
- Herbs
Herb list:
- Barbeque Rosemary
- Variegated Lemon Thyme
- ‘Icterina’ Golden Sage
- Greek Oregano
Before getting started, make sure your container has a good drainage hole. Add organic potting soil to your container until it is about ¾ full.
When picking your herbs, consider which flavors you like and will use. Once the herbs outgrow the smaller indoor container, you can transplant them outdoors in the summer. Rosemary can grow quickly, but it transplants well so don’t be afraid to swap it out.
It’s okay to quick the herbs into your container. As long as they all get the correct among of light and water, they should live in harmony. Make sure the soil line is even across the container so the water seeps evenly.
Remember to rotate your herb garden about once a week so each plant receives even amounts of light. Check soil with your finger before watering- soil can dry out quickly in the summer but you don’t want to over water.
Enjoy! Share your creations with us @molbaks.
