Herb Plants

Herb plants bring fresh flavor to everyday meals and put a little green within easy reach, whether you’re tending a backyard garden or growing herbs in pots on the porch. Basil, parsley, cilantro and chives are familiar culinary herbs for everything from supper salads to soups and grilled vegetables, while rosemary, thyme, oregano and sage lend bold flavor to roasted meats and potatoes. As you plan an herb garden, think about what you cook most often, how much growing space you have and how much sunlight reaches your planting spot. Many culinary herb plants grow best with at least six hours of direct sun each day, though parsley and cilantro can benefit from afternoon shade in hot weather. Containers with drainage holes are a good option for patios and small spaces, and keeping herbs near the kitchen makes it easy to snip a few sprigs as you need them. Growing herb plants starts with matching their watering and soil needs to the right spot. Rosemary, thyme and sage generally prefer well-drained soil that dries somewhat between waterings, while basil and parsley need more consistent moisture without sitting in soggy soil. Keep mint in its own container to help control its spreading growth, and group other potted herbs by similar care needs rather than planting every variety together. For indoor herb gardening, choose a bright window and consider a grow light if natural light falls short. Outdoors, wait until frost danger has passed before setting out tender herbs such as basil, and check local planting guidance for perennial herbs that may return each year in your area. Harvest established plants a little at a time, leaving plenty of leafy growth, and pinch back basil tips to encourage branching. With the right light, drainage and regular attention, a kitchen herb garden can keep fresh-picked flavor close at hand through the growing season.