Let's see how long this lasts ... Only thyme will tell.
Every summer, we would have a fresh pot of basil sitting out on the patio step, gifted to us by our grandmother. The basil in its planter would grow high, and its sweet scent would fill the summer air. Almost every weekend, we would have a fresh Caprese salad on the side of whatever my dad was grilling on the barbecue - as if we couldn't find any other recipes to incorporate its leaves into. "Pick three leaves for me, the biggest ones you can find," my mother would instruct to me during my summers as a child. I would slide the door to the backyard open, without shoes on, cross the hot patio tiles, and carefully select the basil leaves I thought were best. My feet would burn against the stones as I conducted a trivial inspection to be sure if what I was about to select would be sufficient for dinner. Plucking one leaf from the top, I would rip the basil into little pieces, and rubbing it between my fingers, release its perfume to test its scent. If I liked what I smelled, I would pick the others from the same stem. If not, I would repeat the process until I was satisfied. With the three best in my hand, I would proudly pass them to my mom and watch her slice the basil finely, sprinkling them over the tomato and fresh mozzarella. We never thought of getting a variety of potted herbs, but remained content with the flavour that basil added to our meals.
This year, Carmelina and I wanted to take the time to grow new herbs and add them to our family's garden. With more summer nights spent at home and fewer chances to dine out, we thought this was an appropriate summer to start such a project, especially since our regular meals could use the extra oomph. After researching different varieties and best practices, we decided the best herbs to grow were mint, lavender and chives. (Of course, we had already been given our annual potted basil). If you are also thinking of growing a herb garden, you'll need to consider some things: including the right location, materials needed, information about varying types and what practices to best reap the fruits of your labour. Watch the video we posted on YouTube, and keep reading for more helpful advice!
Before
Most of the herbs that you can grow at home need two things — sunlight and well-drained soil. When considering places in your yard to plant a herb garden, you will need to look for a location that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day and is well-drained. Answering the following questions will help you determine the best spot for the herbs you plan to grow.
Will they be kept indoor or outdoor?
Will they be kept in a pot or planted into the ground?
Am I planting seeds or a pre-grown herb plant?
For example, if you are choosing to grow the herb into the ground, you will have to treat the soil so that the plant will be prosperous. We chose to set our herbs outside in a planter, deciding to use ones that have already sprouted. This way, we can start using them right away and move the herb pots around for convenience. Once you have thought through such questions and did the needed research, there are supplies you will need to get started. We created a shopping list, so if you are following along, feel free to download the card.
The Herbs
Mint
The first herb we decided to plant is mint. While its aggressive nature and reputation for taking over the garden are well deserved, growing mint plants can be a rewarding experience if kept under control. One of the best ways to grow mint in the garden without the threat of rampant spreading is by using containers. You may also want to keep the planting-pots spaced at least a foot or two apart to prevent various types from cross-pollinating.
Although most mint varieties are easy to grow in various settings, these plants thrive best when located in organically rich, moist, but well-drained soil. Full sun to partial shade is also acceptable for growing mint. Keep in mind that many mint varieties exist; some of the most commonly grown mint plants include spearmint, peppermint, pennyroyal and chocolate mint. Carmelina and I have chosen spearmint, as its a personal favourite. A recipe we believe would bring out the best in this little leaf in an arugula, watermelon and feta salad!
French Lavender
Another herb that is gaining a lot of popularity in the culinary world is lavender. In the recipe card below, we infused the lavender within a blueberry lemonade, but there are many ways to use this versatile herb! One vital tip to growing French lavender in pots is to avoid soil moisture at all costs. French lavender appreciates well-draining, light and even poor soils as the herb excels at resisting drought. In fact, there are only three cases when you must water your flowers: just upon planting, once, thoroughly during heat waves (over 35°C) and if your French lavender is growing in a pot or flowerbed that is covered and never gets any rain. So upon planting, double-check that the container has a hole. You may even consider adding a drainage layer made with small gravel or clay pebbles to ensure a better corp. Pruning French lavender is possible, but must be exclusively performed on growth that still bears leaves. If you prune dry wood, it won't grow back.
Chives
When contemplating which herbs would make it into the backyard, chives were at the top of the list. Because chives will grow just about anywhere, they are perfect for anyone just starting to get a green thumb. The herb strives in strong light and rich soil but can endure other surroundings. Once the chives are about a foot tall, simply snip off what you need. When harvesting chives, you can cut the chive plant back to half its size without harming the plant. If your chive plant begins to flower, consider using them as well. Add the flower buds to your salad or as a garnish when plating a meal. Carmelina and I are excited to try them freshly topped on a dinner roll, like the recipe below.
After
Once you have planted your herb garden, make sure that it gets two inches of water every week. (Unless a specific herb you've chosen requires otherwise). Also, make sure to harvest your herbs frequently. Many times when a new gardener is starting an herb plot, they are afraid that harvesting the herbs often will hurt their growth. However, the opposite is true. Frequent gathering of herbs will result in the plant to produce more foliage, not less, which increases the amount you can harvest. At the end of the season, you can always dry or freeze your herbs to enjoy throughout the year.
Best of luck in the garden!
Sara
P.S. As a gift to our readers, we designed herb labels for you to use on your planters! Click the button below for your free download!
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