Buying fresh herbs is super expensive, and most of the time you don’t end up using the entire bunch you buy before it goes bad.
Having fresh herbs on hand is a cooking must, but the cost can definitely get in the way. Having an herb garden with your most-used herbs can eliminate that problem and allow you to cook with fresh herbs way more often.
Fresh herbs make everything better, so I knew that planting my own herb garden on my balcony could make my recipes 10 times better.
Planting an herb garden is a lot easier than I thought it would be. A lot of herbs have very similar growing conditions, and you don’t need to grow a ton of different herbs, just the ones that tend to be used the most in cooking.
These herbs are the most useful ones for a basic herb garden:
- Basil
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Mint
- Sage
- Oregano
- Chives
- Parsley
You can plant your rosemary, sage, oregano, and thyme in the same pot. They prefer the same type of soil and watering level (around once a week).
As for the other herbs, pay attention to what kind of conditions the plant prefers. Chef John with Food Wishes outlines the specifics in his video below.
Regardless of what herbs you decide to plant, start by placing some small rocks or broken pottery shards near the hole(s) at the bottom of a terracotta pot or planter. This will aid in draining excess water and allow the plants to grow properly.
As they grow, be sure to trim the plants regularly as well. You can use the trimmings in a recipe!
Taking care of your garden has never been so delicious!