How to Grow Herbs For Cooking at Home

By Rose Swartz March 20, 2023 15 mins read 253 Views

Whether you’re growing your own herbs indoors or outdoors, there are few things more satisfying than harvesting fresh, aromatic seasonings for your cooking.

Herbs need four simple things to thrive -- lots of light, good air circulation, high humidity, and healthy soil. It's easy to meet these requirements, both indoors and out.

Indoors

Fresh herbs are an essential part of many recipes, and growing your own allows you to use them whenever you want. Herbs add flavor to soups, salads, and teas, and can be used to make infused oils or vinegar.

Most herbs need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. If your windows don’t receive this much natural light, consider using a grow light to mimic direct sunlight.

If your herbs are not receiving enough sunlight, they will become leggy and misshapen. They also might not have new leaves and seem stunted compared to their older ones.

Ideally, the herbs you grow indoors should have south-facing windows for their best growth. If you don’t have any south-facing windows, opt for east or west-facing windows that get plenty of sun throughout the day.

Watering your indoor herbs a few times per week is key to maintaining healthy plant growth and keeping them looking great. Keep in mind that different herbs have different water needs, so you may need to water more or less often than other plants.

Outdoors

Whether they're growing in a container or an herb garden, herbs can be a beautiful addition to your outdoor space. They are perfect for adding flavor to dishes and also provide a variety of health benefits including anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals.

If you want to grow herbs outdoors, you'll need to be sure to give them ample sun and good soil that drains well. Make sure the soil you choose is rich in organic matter and has a neutral to slightly acidic pH.

When you start planting, plant the herb in a pot or container that has drainage holes. Be sure to change out the potting soil as needed.

You'll want to avoid repotting your plants too often, as this will stress them and likely kill them. Depending on the type of herb, it may be better to repot one pot at a time. This is especially true if you're moving them from a large pot to a smaller one.

Pruning

Pruning herbs is an important part of herb garden management. Just like getting your hair cut, it helps to maintain the shape of your plant and encourage new growth.

Fast growing herbs like basil, mint and dill benefit from frequent pruning. This will encourage a lot of new leaf growth, allowing you to harvest your herbs regularly for cooking at home.

For leafy herbs, a good rule of thumb is to start pruning in the early spring when growth is taking off for the season. For evergreen perennial herbs, you’ll want to prune them about once a year to keep them healthy and to promote thicker and bushier growth.

Herbs like parsley and cilantro are great for this method because they don’t have tough woody stems, making it easier to cut them back with your fingernails. For tender and woody herbs, it may be necessary to use a sharp pair of bypass pruners.

Harvesting

Herbs can be harvested for leaves, seeds or dried for storage. Leaves contain the highest amounts of oils that supply flavor and fragrance.

To harvest herbs for leaves, snip off a third to one-half of the stem length and store in a cool, dry place, away from light and heat, because UV rays can discolor them. Sage, thyme and summer savory can be air dried or dried in a dehydrator or oven to preserve their quality.

For annual herbs, such as basil, dill, coriander and savory, harvest the plants in early summer before they flower. After the flowers bloom, cut them back to half their original height to encourage a second flowering period in the fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are healing flowers?

Healing flowers are plants that promote peace and tranquillity. They help us unwind after a stressful day and make us feel more relaxed.

They also help us connect to our inner selves and reconnect with nature.

These beautiful blooms are used for meditation, prayer, and contemplation.

We call hundreds of varieties of flowering plants ‘healing’ because they provide such a fantastic experience.

This list includes roses, lilies, irises, daffodils, peonies, tulips, hyacinths, and many more.

But there are two species that I find particularly special. These are the Geranium and Lilium.

Geraniums are very easy to grow and come in various colors. Liliums are also known as lily-of-the-valley, which means 'lily' and 'valley.' Both of these species are popular garden flowers.

Healing flowers are often found growing near water. They are said to bring peace and calmness to those who meditate with them.

In ancient times, people would light candles in flower petals to symbolize the sun. This way, they could honor the sun without needing to go outdoors.

Some say that when you look at these flowers, you may see angels dancing.

Is basil good for kidneys?

The answer is yes. Basil is an excellent food for kidney health. It contains potassium which helps reduce high blood pressure. It also contains vitamin K, which is essential for bone strength. As well as this, it is rich in antioxidants which help protect against heart disease.

Basil is great for digestion too. It contains digestive enzymes that break down protein and carbohydrates. This makes it easier to absorb nutrients from your meals.

Basil is a wonderful addition to any diet. Try sprinkling some over pasta dishes, salads, soups, and sandwiches. Or add little stir-fried vegetables, chicken, fish, meat, and tofu.

It's delicious in pesto sauce and fresh in salad dressings. You'll find many recipes online where you can learn how to cook with basil.

Try making basil oil by adding a few drops of pure olive oil to a jar filled with chopped basil leaves. Let it steep overnight, and then strain out the leaves. Use the oil as a massage oil or rub it onto your skin.

It will leave your skin soft and smooth.

What is the difference between basil and oregano?

Both of these herbs belong to the Lamiaceae family. They share similar flavors, but the differences are obvious.

Oregano is more pungent than basil. It also adds an extra layer of flavor to foods.

Basil leaves are smaller than oregano leaves. They are also softer and less aromatic.

The two herbs are often used interchangeably. Although they are quite similar, each has its distinctive qualities.

How is basil used for medicinal purposes?

In ancient times, doctors would prescribe basil leaves to treat colds and coughs. Today, basil contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal remedy for arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, eczema, gout, hay fever, indigestion, migraines, menstrual cramps, sinus infections, sore throats, ulcers, varicose veins, and more.

Basil is also known for its ability to help protect against cancer, heart disease, diabetes, skin conditions, and even aging.

Basil is often referred to as "the herb of grace" because it helps us relax and unwind after stressful situations. It is also said to improve memory and concentration, boost energy levels, increase libido, and enhance athletic performance.

The list goes on and on. Basil is a versatile plant that offers a wide range of benefits for our health and well-being.

Is it okay to use dried herbs instead of fresh ones?

It is best to pick up fresh herbs whenever possible when using herbs.

Although dried herbs are convenient, they don’t provide the same benefits as fresh herbs.

Fresh herbs contain essential oils that give your food a unique flavor. These oils help preserve the nutrients within the herb.

Dried herbs lose all their flavor after drying, so they cannot replace fresh herbs.

You should only use dried herbs if you absolutely must. Otherwise, you should get your fresh herbs from the market.

Statistics

Studies have shown that cinnamon can lower fasting blood sugars by 10-29% in diabetic patients, which is a significant amount (9Trusted Source10Trusted (healthline.com)
Herbs are among the most popular and widely used medicinal remedies. According to a survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health, herbs were used by over 38% of adults in the United States.

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How To

How to use herbs safely?

Many people think that herbs should only be used under medical supervision because they believe that some herbs are poisonous. However, this is not true.

Many herbs have long histories of safe use. For example, garlic has been used for thousands of years to fight infections. It's also been shown to lower cholesterol levels and reduce high blood pressure.

However, if you're pregnant or nursing, avoid taking certain herbs. You should also avoid them if you suffer from allergies or sensitivities to herbs.

You can do several things to ensure you get the best results from your herbs and supplements. First, always read labels before consuming anything containing herbs or spices. Second, take the lowest dose recommended on the label. Third, don't use more than one supplement at any given time. Fourth, talk to your doctor about how to combine specific herbs and supplements. Finally, keep track of your consumption to know whether you need to adjust your dosage.