How to grow your own herbs

22 Aug 2016

Even the least green of thumbs will find caring for herbs to be easy and enjoyable.

Love to cook? Or love the idea of a fresh mint and lemon water on a hot summer’s day? No need to head down to the shops because you can create your own herb garden, just outside your back door. And you don’t even need a garden to do it.

The best herbs to have

The herbs you decide to keep in your outdoor area depend on what you want to use them for. Generally speaking, most people plant a herb garden to use them in cooking. The most popular herbs to plant tend to be basil, dill, mint, coriander and parsley, but choose whatever you feel you’ll use the most. Rosemary and thyme are particularly resilient.

Where to start?

This depends on the space you have. Herbs can grow almost anywhere; garden beds, pots, balconies and even window sills.

It’s all about preparing the space correctly and having the best herbs to flourish in that particular spot.

Herbs need sunlight, drainage and water when it’s dry. In very hot weather, potted herbs need daily watering.

Importantly, different herbs have different needs. For example, wet herbs such as mint or lemongrass like moist soil conditions, whereas dry herbs like basil, rosemary and oregano prefer dry soil that is well drained. While you can plant the herbs in the same pot, keep them on separate sides so you can water some without touching the others.

Choose a sunny spot, make sure you use good-quality soil and plant away.

Common mistakes

There are some common mistakes that newbies make when planting a herb garden. Here are four to avoid:

Growing from a seed straight away. If it’s your first time planting a herb garden, it’s definitely worth starting from seedlings (small starter plants) rather than seeds.

Over or under-watering

Herbs need a small to moderate amount of watering every day, especially during the summer months. However, don’t drown them. Be delicate.

Ignoring the need to trim.

Herbs are like your hair, if you trim them, they’ll grow quicker and in a healthier state. With herbs, you want to prune the herb just above a set of growing leaves. 

Taking the leaves from the bottom.

When you’re picking your leaves to use, take the ones from the top. The bottom leaves act as a stablising device, powering the herb’s growth. The top leaves of herb plants tend to be the tastiest and most tender, too.