| So many of you have asked for it and we are now happy to announce that herbs have been added to the Start A Garden planner. You can now include Basil, Oregano, Garlic, Parley, Thyme, Chives, Cilantro, Sage, Rosemary, Fennel, Dill, Lavender, and Mint to your garden project.
Herbs are relatively simple to grow, but before you get started, here are a few of our top growing tips to make herbs oh-so-easy:
- Herbs look beautiful in indoor pots beside your kitchen sink but in order for herbs to succeed indoors they need to be planted in containers that drain well, with access to sunlight for at least 4-6 hours a day. In some cases, supplementing with artificial light is needed if planting indoors.
- Some herbs are super tough to grow from seed. If planting Oregano, Sage, or Rosemary, you may want to start from seedling or a plant cutting instead of beginning from seed.
- Mint does best in pots because it can overtake your garden. If planting in your garden, keep a close eye on it and trim it back often.
- Basil is a great companion plant to tomatoes and peppers. It not only repels insects but enhances the flavor of tomatoes.
- Herbs are very drought tolerant so once you get them started, they are generally easy to maintain and pest and disease free. Just harvest often to keep the growing cycle in place.
Once your herbs are ready to harvest, the question then begs what to do with your fresh herbs. We will soon be sharing not only garden tips, but new recipes to put your harvest to healthy use.
Here are two of our favorite recipes using fresh herbs. |
| | Watermleon Mint Cooler:
2 cups fresh watermelon Juice from 1 lime ½ cup mint leaves 1 cup Coconut Water (optional)
Combine ingredients in a juicer or blender and serve as a delicious drink. Add coconut water to your drink and it becomes an instant hydrator on really hot days. For kiddo’s, you can also freeze these and turn them into popsicles for a healthy treat on a hot day. |
| | Fresh Basil Pesto:
Basil is a delicious companion to pasta dishes, fish, chicken and pasta. It also makes for an amazing pesto. Our favorite basil pesto recipe is simply:
2 cups fresh Basil leaves
½ cup Parmesan Cheese
¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/3 cup Nuts (pine nuts, cashews, etc)
2 cloves of fresh garlic
Our friends at Healthy Kids Inc have just released a video showing how to make this delicious pesto with your own fresh basil. You can check it out here.
|
| |
Now that your garden is in full swing it will soon be time to talk about how to deal with plant disease (without harmful chemicals).
Much more to come. Have a great week.
Kirk Curry Master Gardener Co-Founder, Start A Garden
p.s. Interesting fact: Did you know that Coriander seed comes from the Cilantro plant? Learn all about growing this herb on the Start A Garden planner. |
| | | |
|
|
|
