GROWING HERBS: THE PERFECT STARTING POINT FOR YOUR GARDENING JOURNEY

Herbs are one of the easiest plants to grow from seeds. Cultivating herbs requires no prior gardening experience as they are low maintenance. To ensure that your herbs thrive, all you have to give them is water, soil, and about 4-6 hours of daily sunlight. They grow promptly and yield harvests quickly. A rewarding quick win like this will help build the momentum for your future gardening endeavors. With the success of herb gardening under your belt, you can start branching out into growing other plants confidently.

Given below are more reasons why herbs should be one of the first things you grow as a beginner.

Low Investment

You can purchase a packet of herb seeds for as low as $2 or a small herb plant for $5. Once the herbs grow and become established, you only have to water them as needed. With annual herbs, such as Italian Basil and Cilantro, you do not even have to fertilize them. With perennial herbs, such as Oregano and Thyme, you can fertilize them once a year during the growing season if you want to. Herb gardening requires minimal effort and minimal time investment. This is exactly why when a friend recently visited me and asked for an easy-to-take-care-of plant she could take home from my garden, I gave her a Peppermint plant.

Smells Great, Tastes Great

Herbs grown in your garden or container smell like heaven and they taste AH-MAZING. The flavor of the homegrown fresh herbs is more concentrated than that of the fresh herbs from supermarkets. They taste better than their counterparts sold in grocery stores. The natural fragrance of some herbs, such as Lavender and Thyme, is relaxing and helps lower stress.

Medicinal Benefits

Herbs not only taste delicious, but they also have medicinal properties. I use dried Lemon Balm leaves that I grow in the garden as a Medicinal Tea. It warms up my body and helps boost my immunity, especially when I start feeling like I am getting sick. I also grow Calendula, aka Pot Marigold, whose petals are used for tinctures and ointments to help treat rash,  bruises, sunburn, minor cuts, and first-degree burns. Calendula petals are also used for skincare and bath products.

Ideal for Small Space Gardening and Indoor Gardening

Whether you are an urban, suburban, or rural dweller, you can easily grow herbs where you live. You can grow herbs in the ground or containers. You can also grow them indoors by placing them close to a window from where they can get natural sunlight or use grow lights in darker spaces with little natural light.

Sun, Shade, and Snow-friendly

Some herbs, such as Lavender and Rosemary, love sunshine. Once established, they can become drought tolerant. They will fit perfectly in areas of your yard that receive 6+ hours of daily direct sun and heat. Other herbs, such as Peppermint, Holy Basil, and Lemon Balm, will do fine in areas that are partially shaded. Additionally, in regions with milder winters, you can harvest woody herbs like Thyme in the middle of winter. Woody herbs can tolerate light snow and ice.

Pest-resistant

In my outdoor herb garden, I have seen rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, birds, and deer leave herbs alone. Unlike some other plants that pests love to graze on, they seem to avoid munching on herbs due to the strong herbal scent. You can plant herbs right next to the vegetables growing in the garden to deter pests from approaching the veggies.

Support Nature

By planting certain flowering herbs like Borage and Holy Basil, you can provide food for bees that pollinate our trees, fruits, and vegetables. Other herbs, like the Florence Fennel, serve as host to the Swallowtail Butterfly for the entire duration of the Swallowtail’s lifecycle.

Good Learning Opportunity for Kids and Youth in Your Family and Community

Since it is easy to grow and take care of herbs, herb gardening provides a wonderful learning opportunity for children and youngsters. Gardening with herbs teaches them about taking responsibility and helps them foster a positive connection to nature.