Easy Spices to Grow At Home:
1. Basil – a wonderful annual! To make it easier on yourself, buy baby plants instead of growing from seeds. Basil does require good drainage to thrive so make sure to plant it in a clay pot and use half cactus sand and half potting soil.
2. Oregano – a very versatile herb. It does have a tendency to grow quickly, so good pruning is a must. Also, watch the moisture with this herb. A mix of half cactus sand in the soil is a good idea and keep your plant away from the kitchen sink or the bathroom area. The more sun, the better! Oregano will have a fuller, bolder flavor the more sun it receives.
3. Mint – a delicious and long-lasting herb. It will grow almost anywhere and does well in shade. It does require regular watering and will greatly benefit from a re-composting in a fresh pot each spring. A word of caution about mint – it grows like a weed and will take over an outdoor garden; it’s best to keep mint contained in a pot.
4. Chives – another easy to care for and versatile herb. It can be placed most anywhere and, like mint, does pretty well in shadier areas. Chives do like damp soil so make sure to keep up with watering. A bonus – it has very pretty flowers that will brighten a room!
5. Tarragon – a tasty bold herb especially tasty with fish! This plant likes a lot of sun and drier soil so take care not to overwater.
Key Tips:
**Avoid fertilizer – it can change the flavor of your herbs.
**All of the herbs mentioned above will do well inside, but they will flourish more if planted outdoors. Most herbs like a lot of sun!
**Water herbs a little bit each day – for most plants this is all they need.
**Make sure to begin pruning early – the first cut should be about 3-4 inches above the soil. Make sure to cut just above a pair of growing leaves. If you wait too long to prune, you will end up with a top-heavy, too-tall plant. Pruning is what helps your plant grow out and add more branches.
Getting the Kids Involved:
Herb gardening is a fun and easy way to get the kids involved and interested in gardening. Herbs are fun for kids to grow because you can then use the herbs that they grew to cook a delicious meal together. Have your kids create name tags for each of your herbs – if you are planting them outside, your kids could even paint small signs and paint the pots. Then, have your kids help you to place the appropriate soil in each pot, plant the herbs, and water. Enjoy!
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