Grow Your Own Herb Garden

Instead of shelling out money for pricey, off-the-rack dried herbs, try growing your own. Most are easy to grow, and fresh herbs add an extra kick to your meals. You can also dry them yourself, making a few plants last all year round.

Wondering whether to grow them inside or outside? It’s really depends on your preference. Either way, you’ll need to purchase some plants or seeds, which you can find at stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wal-mart or neighborhood nurseries. For inside gardens, choose a spot that receives a lot of sun but is protected from heat and dryness. Keep them well watered but make sure they have excellent drainage and choose a soil mix formulated for potted plants. Some of the best herbs to grow inside include basil, chives, oregano, parsley, sage and rosemary. Ultimately, your food preference tastes should dictate what you grow. 

For outside gardens, plant as close to the house as possible so they’re within easy reach, even in the rain. If possible, grow each herb in a separate space and find a spot that drains well and receives at least six hours of sun a day. Also keep in mind that some herbs, like mint, will reseed and run rampant, popping up all over a garden, if not properly maintained. Keeping plants harvest also ensures thick, healthy growth. Most of the herbs that grow well inside will also flourish outside.

The best time of day to pick herbs is after the dew has evaporated but before the sun becomes too hot. You can start picking as soon as the plant has enough leaves to maintain growth. For dried herbs, pick the flower bud before it opens and seed heads as they change to brown or gray. Wash them in cold water, drain completely and then dry. Hang upside down in a dark, warm, well-ventilated, dust-free area. When they become dry and crumbly they are ready to use or store.