How to grow herbs for cooking

How to grow herbs for cooking

Grow your own cooking herbs to add fresh flair and flavor to your menus all year long!

Is it a cooking herb or a spice?

The first thing to know when selecting which herbs to grow is the difference between cooking (culinary) herbs and spices. The cinnamon stick that you put in your hot chocolate or apple cider is a spice, while the parsley on the edge of your plate is an herb.

Herbs for cooking are generally the fresh or dried leaves of plants, while spices are the ground seeds, roots, fruits, flowers, and / or bark.

Herbs add a subtle flavor, while spices are generally spicier and add a more robust flavor.

Herbs cover a range of approximately 70 cultivars, divided into categories of medicinal, ornamental and aromatic herbs, as well as culinary or cooking. To start growing herbs for cooking, it is best to first select where and how you want to grow them.

Site selection

Most cooking herbs thrive almost anywhere that gives them plenty of light, good drainage, and nutrition. In addition to outdoor garden locations, culinary herbs can be grown in patio containers, such as indoor herb gardens, or in greenhouses using soilless growing techniques such as hydroponics or aquaponics.

Herb gardens for outdoor cooking

        For easy access, plant your herb garden as close to your kitchen as possible. Herbs grown in full sun have denser foliage, darker color, and higher levels of essential oils that add flavor to your recipes. Good air circulation and drainage are also important to the success of your herb garden for cooking. The size of your herb garden for cooking, of course, depends on the space you have available to grow. Generally, a 20 by 4 foot area accommodates a satisfactory variety of cultivars.

Many herbs overlap in the category. Border your herb garden for cooking with a few cultivars that have ornamental or aromatic as well as culinary qualities. However, remember that the main purpose of this garden is to use it in your kitchen.

Place your frequently used cooking herbs in less visible areas so you don't leave big holes in your garden when you harvest them for cooking!

Most culinary herbs thrive in the same growing conditions as improving vegetables and as such are a natural addition to your garden. Some cooking herbs even have properties that repel common insect pests and garden diseases, which is an added benefit for your vegetables.

The best time to amend your soil with nutrient-rich compost is when tilling your garden plot. Herbs have thick roots that benefit from thick organic matter, which helps drain excess water and also helps provide good air circulation.

After planting your cooking herbs, surrounding them with a two- to three-inch layer of mulch helps the soil retain moisture. Plus, compost and mulch help keep the soil neutral to slightly alkaline that most herbs prefer.