10 Rapidly Expanding Herbs to Plant Immediately: Get Growing!
Growing a collection of herbs in your garden can elevate your culinary game by adding rich flavors and aromatic touches to your dishes. These garden-fresh herbs are not only delightful to the senses, but they're also fairly easy to grow in various conditions. Here's a lowdown on some popular herbs, along with insights from our agricultural research.
Dill- Sunlight: Full Sun- Soil: Well-draining, Low Fertility- pH: Slightly Acidic (5.5 to 6.7)- USDA Hardiness Zones: annual
Dill is a charming herb that pairs well with flowers and boasts lacy foliage. It's unique in that the flavor of dill doesn't diminish with flowering, making it perfect for both cooking and decorative purposes. Be sure to add it to dishes after they've been removed from heat, as its flavors break down under high temperatures.
Thyme- Sunlight: Full Sun- Soil: Dry, Well-draining- pH: Neutral to Alkaline (7.0-8.0)- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Thyme, a Mediterranean herb, prefers rocky, dry soil and excellent drainage. Plant it in raised beds or containers if necessary, and place it in a permanent location for year-round growth. It makes a picturesque groundcover along bed edges or stone ledges.
Basil- Sunlight: Full to Partial Sun- Soil: Well-draining, Rich- pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral (6.0-7.5)- USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11, grown as annual
Basil adapts well to various environments and can be nestled between vegetables or in flower beds. It flourishes in warm temperatures and demands an abundance of flavorful foliage. Regular harvesting is necessary to prevent plants from setting flowers and to keep their leaves tender and flavorful.
Oregano- Sunlight: Full to Partial Sun- Soil: Dry, Well-draining- pH: Neutral to Alkaline (7.0-8.0)- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
Oregano is one of a few herbs that taste just as good, if not better, when dried compared to fresh. It acts as a hardy groundcover beneath tomatoes and other vegetables or as an edging in planting beds. When home-grown, harvest oregano in spring or early summer and hang the cuttings to dry for year-round use.
Cilantro- Sunlight: Full to Partial Sun- Soil: Well-draining, Rich- pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral (6.5-7.0)- USDA Hardiness Zones: Annual
Cilantro prefers cooler temperatures and is suitable for springtime gardens. It matures rapidly, producing plentiful foliage before bolting and setting flowers. Though the end of leaf harvesting comes when plants produce flowers, the flowers are attractive to beneficial insects and eventually mature into the seeds we know as coriander.
Mint- Sunlight: Full Sun to Part Shade- Soil: Well-draining- pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral (6.0-7.0)- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Mint is a rapidly growing herb that can spread aggressively through rhizomes. Contain it by growing it in pots if space is limited. Among the many types of mint available, classic spearmint and peppermint are the most popular, both offering unique flavor profiles.
Sage- Sunlight: Full to Partial Sun- Soil: Dry, Well-draining, Low Fertility- pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral (5.6-7.8)- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
Sage is a perennial herb that's incredibly hardy and adaptable. It thrives in hot, dry sites and makes an excellent choice for rock gardens, terraces, or raised beds. Ensure it has good drainage, as it cannot tolerate wet soil conditions.
Lemon Balm- Sunlight: Full to Partial Sun- Soil: Well-draining, Poor to Average- pH: Acidic to Neutral (5.0-7.5)- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
Lemon balm is a versatile perennial herb with a fragrant lemon scent commonly used to flavor teas. It's a member of the mint family and can be aggressive in the garden, so consider growing it in pots to contain its spread.
Borage- Sunlight: Full Sun- Soil: Well-draining, Rich- pH: Slightly Acidic to Slightly Alkaline (6.0-8.0)- USDA Hardiness Zones: Annual
Borage is a must-have in the garden for its striking blue flowers and lush foliage. Its flowers attract a multitude of pollinators and beneficial insects, making it a wonderful addition to fruit and vegetable gardens. Plus, its vivid blue petals and leafy greens are edible, possessing a taste reminiscent of cucumbers.
Parsley- Sunlight: Full Sun- Soil: Moist, Well-draining, Rich- pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral (6.0-7.0)- USDA Hardiness Zones: Grown as an annual
Parsley is a staple garnish but truly shines when added to soups and stews. Plant it in your garden for a flavor boost and textural interest. Parsley isn't as heat-tolerant as some of its counterparts, meaning it's often planted in the spring and fall for a more consistent harvest. Additionally, parsley is a favorite food source for black swallowtail butterfly larvae, so keep an eye out for these adorable caterpillars while tending to your plants.
- Incorporating herb gardens can lead to a delightful fusion of gardening ideas and lifestyle, enhancing the flavors and aesthetics of your home-and-garden, food-and-drink, and fashion-and-beauty endeavors, as well as your cooking experiences.
- The garden-fresh herbs discussed in this article, such as dill, thyme, basil, oregano, cilantro, mint, sage, lemon balm, borage, and parsley, can be used to elevate a wide range of dishes, from SouthernLiving's famous recipes to your personal culinary creations.
- For a beautiful and edible addition to your vegetable garden, consider planting borage, which not only offers a striking blue bloom but also attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.
- When it comes to harvesting, some herbs like oregano and lemon balm taste just as good, if not better, when dried, making them the perfect choice for year-round use in your spice rack or while preparing recipes from SouthernLiving's extensive collection.
- Growing your own herb garden isn't just a gardening idea for a flourishing herb garden but also a mindful journey towards cultivating a deeper appreciation for the connection between gardening, cooking, and the delicious flavors that nature has to offer.
