Growing your own herb garden

Growing your own herb garden offers an immediate purpose and sense of accomplishment; there is something really authentic about literally going back to the roots and reaping the benefits of what we have sown.

Growing a herb garden can become a welcome little sanctuary

In a time, when we are often too busy to feel any sort of respite, something simple like growing a herb garden can become a welcome little sanctuary.

Other than this, you may just be curious to try your hand at what you have seen on the cooking channels, with the ´Naked Chefs´ of the world stuffing delicious-looking chickens with bunches of fresh herbs from the windowsill.

Now if this sounds like it may be just be what you are looking for, then follow the simple guidelines below and you will have your very own little herb garden in no time.

Herbs love a sunny windowsill

Although these hardy little plants can be grown on the patio, verandah or garden, the windowsill is still the most suitable for most of us, as it means we can keep a close eye on them, grow them in most home environments and they are close at hand for culinary and medicinal use.

Where to start - choosing your herbs

Now, a good starting point is to choose the herbs that you feel you will get the most use out of.  Start by looking at what you have in your cupboard or those you have seen referred to mostly in your favourite recipes.

You can grow almost any herb on the windowsill; just trim them to keep them contained and bushy. However, firm windowsill favourites include chives, basil, mint, parsley, coriander, lavender, thyme , oregano and marjoram.

Herbs like basil, chives. parsley and thyme do best when they are bought as seeds that start their life indoors, while it's best to buy other herbs like mint, lavender and coriander as actual plants.
Chives are the easiest herb to start off with and they are great used in salad or veggies. Mint is great for use in soups, salads and teas, while oregano, thyme, basil and marjoram are wonderful in meats and sauces. For those who enjoy garnishes, parsley is a good choice.

Next, select a container of your choice for your herbs

Various containers can add a décor element to your home. You can stick to clay or plastic but for a more vintage feel, old teapots or cups can be used too.
Just make sure that whatever you choose to use, has adequate drainage to keep your herbs healthy. For a general guideline, containers should be at least four inches wide, as this gives the herbs space to grow.

As for the location of your garden, choose a sunny windowsill; the kitchen often works best.

Potting your herbs

As a base to pot the herbs,  use a good potting soil, fill the container up with the soil, leveling it out as you go and then scoop out a little of the soil as you need to make room for the plant or simply sprinkle the seeds you have, in rows.

Pat the soil gently around the herb, ensuring that it fits snugly into the soil and then water, until the soil is moist. Herbs are fairly low maintenance but they do require a good sunny spot and they need to be watered every now and again. A good guideline is to top up with water when the soil starts feeling a little dry.

Fertilizing your herb garden

Keep your herbs looking healthy by fertilizing them monthly or regularly spray them with a seaweed tea. (Plants love this as it contains large amounts of minerals and keeps the plants healthy.)

To make seaweed tea, chop up some seaweed, put it in an old orange sack and soak one bag of seaweed in a bucket of water for a week. Dilute the tea with an equal amount of water and use it in a watering can to fertilize the soil.

Whether you decide to create a taste of Italy or a beautifully scented windowsill, it will be all yours and fresh for the picking.
Good luck and enjoy!

Author info: Nikki Schöntauf

Nikki has many interests from psychology to cupcakes and has always loved to write. She studied a post-graduate degree at UNP, works full-time in marketing and has recently married the love of her life. Her first words were “whats that?” which sums up her personality: inquisitive, loves to learn and in this journey of life "trys to be the best me I can be".