Yes, you can grow herbs year round without the worry of frost or not having enough garden space. Your kitchen is probably the best spot if you have the room, but any place will. Planting in small clay pots like the ones pictured here are cute and easily to move. $2.00-$14.99
Once the weather warms up, move them outside and then back again when the weather turns. The best part about growing your own herbs is that you cn use what you need at the moment. Some of our favorites are listed below.
BASIL
Basil is one of the easiest plants to grow indoors and doesn't need much care. Basil is an excellent source of vitamin K, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It's also a good source of calcium, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. It is known to calm nerves and detoxifies the liver. Basil oil has been known to clear blemishes, treating cuts, wounds and skin infections. Let's not forget about pesto, yummm!
Looking for easy recipe, try this one.We think it is a hit! https://thesuburbansoapbox.com/the-very-best-basil-pesto-recipe-and-tips/
ROSEMARY Rosemary is a great source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which can help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation and help with pain relief. Did you know that just smelling rosemary could improve your memory? Keep some all over the house and on the patio as rosemary repels flies and mosquitoes.
LAVENDER
Lavender is not only pretty but the health benefits are immense. The fragrance is very calming, which can help with sleep, stress, anxiety and headaches. It is best to grow it outdoors as it can get quite large, and the root system is actu
ally bigger than the plant itself. Lady lavender is only 10" and stays pretty compact, however we also offer hidcote, munstead and French. Just make sure that it gets plenty of sun and has adequate drainage in the pot. Add some gravel in the bottom of the pot along with some pea gravel or rocks on the top to keep the crown dry. They also like a A “fluffy’ aerated soil as they prefer the dryer side. The best soil is a combination of peat, vermiculite, and perlite. Our Fox Farm Coco Loco Potting Mix is ideal for lavender.
DILL
Dill is another one that likes a lot of sun and loves the Coco Loco potting mix. Turn your cucumbers into dill pickles, bake delicious breads, or create hearty soups or stews. Having fresh dill on hand is always better than opting for dried dill from the market. Did you also know that it is said to cure hiccups. Mix 1 tsp. dill leaf with a cup of boiled water, strain the leaves and drink. Let us know if this works for you.
MINT Mint is greatr for breath, digestion, nausea, headaches, asthma, and acne. It also is a great herb for attracting butterflies and bees. It also repels, ants, mice, ticks, fleas and moths. Mint does have a habit of taking over a garden, so planting in pots is a benefit. Though it does perfer sun, it will tolerate shade and help it from spreading or growing too fast. Mint is also super easy to propagate from cuttings and will readily re-root itself. You can cut out mint where you don’t want it, put it in water until it grows some roots, then transplant it where you do want it. We have many varieties in stock including apple mint, chocolate, lime, mojito, peppermint, and pineapple.
THYME
Thyme is idea for growing indoors as it stays small. Just make sure it gets plenty of sunshine. If growing outdoors, thyme thrives in dry and rocky areas, helps with soil erosion, and can easily withstand drought and below freezing temperatures. We stock variegated, French, lemon, lime and orange.
SAGE
Sage prefers a lot of sunshine but will tolerate some light shade. Only water when needed though and let the soil get a little dry. Make sure that your sage has plenty of circulation as it will get a powdery mildew on the leaves. Sage has antiseptic and antioxidant properties which can help with anxiety and fatique. It is also thought to be a memory enhancer. We carry a golden variegated, Berggarten, officianlis, tricolor, purple, honeydew and pineapple.
CHIVES Part of the onion family, can help boost your immune system. Multiple studies even suggest that eating allium vegetables, a category that includes garlic and scallions in addition to chives, is associated with a lower risk of developing certain cancers, including those of the prostate, stomach, and breast. Chives are one of my favorite herbs. They grow easily, can be grown indoors, and don't need much light. They grow to be about 18 inches tall, but don't require much space to flourish. Place them in south facing spot, keep soil moist at all times with proper drainage. Try not to let your chives bloom as you will get a smaller crop. Trim as you need them or if you think they are going to bloom, trim and dry your chives.
CILANTRO (Coriander) Let's not forget about cilantro. yes, it is a staple in many Mexican dishes and Asian cuisines but it is loaded with fiber and iron which helps clear heavy metals from our body. Cilantro attaches itself to mercury, lead, and other toxic heavy metals and draws them out of our tissues. Cilantro does need deep soil to thrive and can be a challenge to grow indoors. Cilantro generally produces new foliage that you can trim off every 5-7 days for about three weeks before it goes to seed. Here is a great video on how to trim your cilantro. https://youtu.be/0hVt_yaM7n0
Obviously there are so many more herbs and many that we offer, but we wanted to list just a few of our favorites. Join us on Thursday, May 4 at 5:00 PM for our FREE event. https://www.hillsborohosta.com/specialsandevents