purple chive blossoms growing

Growing your own herbs is super easy and you’ll love the benefits of harvesting fresh herbs from the garden! Not only will herbs add a burst of flavor to your meals, they will also add beauty and fragrance to your gardens.

Herb plants can be grown just about anywhere there is at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Try planting them in containers on patios, balconies, and windowsills. Or tuck them into existing flower beds. 

Here are some of our favorite, easy-to-grow herbs to try:

 

Chives

Chives are a must for every herb garden. Not only are they one of the easiest herbs to grow, they are one of the most beautiful as well. The leaves have a mild onion flavor and can be added to dips, fish, potatoes and eggs. The blossoms are edible too and add color and texture to salads. The flowers will also attract pollinators to your garden!

Basil

Tomatoes and basil are the classic pairing for making delicious Italian dishes such as sauce, pasta, and pizza. Basil is an easy and fast-growing plant, making it an ideal herb for beginners. Keep plants moist and harvest regularly. While the flowers are pretty, it’s best to keep them from developing by snipping them off so the plant will keep producing those delicious leaves.

Oregano

This herb is another popular choice for Italian recipes, and is a flavorful addition in seafood, poultry, and potato dishes as well. Oregano leaves can be harvested at any time, although the leaves are at their most flavorful just before the plant blooms in summer.

Mint

Anyone who enjoys a cool glass of iced tea, lemonade or a freshly made cocktail should grow a container of mint! It’s such a summer pleasure to add a sprig of mint to summer beverages. Mint spreads lightning fast, so it is best to grow this herb by itself in a container. There are many mint varieties aside from the classic peppermint and spearmint. Why not try chocolate, orange or strawberry as well?

Rosemary

You’ll love harvesting fresh rosemary year-round to flavor meat, poultry, soups and stews. This plant tends to be evergreen so once it’s large enough, you can harvest small quantities throughout the year. It’s best to only snip leaves from the top of the plant.

Thyme

Thyme is another low-maintenance, mostly evergreen addition to any beginner’s herb garden. Although thyme is most flavorful in summer prior to its blooming, you can harvest it whenever you need it. Thyme is a savory addition to vegetables, seafood, roasted meats, soups, teas, and cocktails.