Herbs
Growing Herbs at Home
Growing herbs adds beauty to your garden and flavor to your kitchen. There is nothing better than using herb plants from your own garden when cooking. It’s convenient and you get the freshest flavors. When planning your kitchen herb garden, there are many different types of herbs to choose from. Some of the best herbs to grow are listed below.
In general, you’ll want to plant your kitchen herb garden in a well-draining, nutrient rich soil. Herb plants also like sunny locations to partial shade. There are some combinations of herb plants that do well when planted together. These are Rosemary, Sage and Thyme; Basil, Oregano and Marjoram; and Sage, Lavender and Rosemary. When picking your herbs, choose what you like to eat and will use in the kitchen.
Plant Facts:
Basil
- Varieties: Holy Basil, Thai Basil, Sweet Basil, Genovese Basil, Purple Basil, Lime Basil, Green Ruffles
- Height: 8 in. – 4 ft.
- Planting Time: After last frost - Summer
- Sun-Shade: 6-8 hours of morning sun, afternoon shade
- Soil Condition: Moist, rich, well-draining
- Fertilize: Every few weeks
- Uses: Salads, Pesto, Soups, Meats
Chives
- Varieties: Garlic Chives, Chinese Chives
- Height: 12 in.
- Planting Time: Early Spring
- Sun-Shade: Full sun
- Soil Condition: any soil with high organic matter
- Fertilize: Every 3-4 weeks
- Uses: Fish, Meat, Baked Potatoes
Cilantro
- Varieties: Chinese Cilantro, Cilantro Confetti, Coriander
- Height: 2 ft.
- Planting Time: Fall or Spring
- Sun-Shade: Partial Sun – Partial Shade
- Soil Condition: Moist, well-draining
- Fertilize: When they reach a height of 2 in.
- Uses: Soups, Salsa, Salads
Garlic
- Varieties: Elephant Garlic, Creole garlic, Hard-Neck Garlic
- Height: Up to 4 ft.
- Planting Time: Feb - March
- Sun-Shade: Full Sun
- Soil Condition: Loamy, Slightly Acidic
- Fertilize: As needed
- Uses: General Cooking, Salads
Lavender
- Varieties: Pinnata, Stoechs Spanish, Dentata, English, French, Goodwin Creek
- Height: 1 – 5 ft.
- Sun-Shade: Full Sun
- Soil Condition: Slightly Alkaline, well-draining
- Fertilize: In the Fall
- Uses: Garden Accents, Decoration, Cooking
Mint
- Varieties: Spearmint, Mint, Apple Mint, Chocolate Mint, Pineapple Mint
- Height: 1 – 2 ft.
- Sun-Shade: Full Sun or Partial Shade
- Planting Time: Spring or Fall (in warmer climates)
- Soil Condition: Moist, well-draining
- Fertilize: Every few weeks
- Uses: Add to drinks, salads, desserts, garnish
Oregano
- Varieties: Greek, Mexican, Italian
- Height: Up to 2 ft.
- Sun-Shade: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Soil Condition: well-draining, slightly alkaline
- Fertilize: In Spring, continue through growing season
- Uses: Add to drinks, salads, desserts, garnish
Parsley
- Varieties: Crispum, Neapolitanum, Tuberosum
- Height: Up to 1 ft.
- Planting Time: Spring (Fall in Zones 7 and up)
- Sun-Shade: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Soil Condition: Rich, moist soil
- Fertilize: As needed to encourage new growth
- Uses: Garnish, add to mixture when you juice fruits or vegetables
Rosemary
- Height: Up to 5 ft.
- Planting Time: Spring (Fall in zones 8 and up)
- Sun-Shade: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Soil Condition: Well-draining
- Fertilize: When planted and again in spring
- Uses: Meats, soups, vegetables, sauces, breads
Sage
- Planting Time: Spring or Fall
- Sun-Shade: Partial to full sun
- Soil Condition: Well-draining, sandy, loamy
- Uses: Poultry, pork, cheese, wine, medicinal
Thyme
- Varieties: Common thyme (T. vulgaris), lemon thyme (T. citriodorus), Spanish thyme (T. zygis), Creeping thyme (T. serpyllum)
- Planting Time: Spring (After last frost)
- Sun-Shade: Full sun
- Soil Condition: Well-draining, slightly alkaline
- Uses: Use in spreads, vegetables, stews, soups, sauces
Visit your local SummerWinds Nursery today to learn more about growing herbs. Our Trusted Garden Advisors are ready to help you select the best herbs to grow in your kitchen herb garden.
