How to Grow Herbs for Your Kitchen

How to grow herbs for your kitchen

There’s no doubt that fresh herbs can elevate your cooking. So if you’re an avid cook, you might wonder how you can grow herbs for your kitchen. 

Growing fresh herbs is a great way to save time and money spent at the grocery store. In this article, we’ll teach you the best ways to grow your herbs so you’ll always have them on hand where you’re cooking. 

Grow Herbs Outside in a Window Box or Garden

While many herbs will thrive indoors on a sunny windowsill, some herbs do best outside. If you live in a smaller home that doesn’t have very much gardening space, installing a window box on a south-facing window could be a great way to start growing your own fresh herbs. Here are some tips for growing herbs outdoors: 

  • Starter Plants – While starting with seeds is undoubtedly the most inexpensive way to begin your herb garden, a starter plant will start delivering results much faster. If your local nursery sells herbs that have already sprouted, consider picking up a few herbs that you can simply replant when you get home. 
  • High-quality soil – Ensure the soil is not too compact, and choose a soil that provides optimal aeration, drainage, and nutrients.
  • Water often, but not too often – Most herbs will need watering when the soil a few inches below the surface is dry to the touch. You can tell if the plant needs water if you stick your finger into the soil by a couple of inches. If your finger comes out dry with no soil sticking to it, it’s time for water. If your finger feels damp and some soil is stuck to your finger, skip watering for now. 
  • Harvest often – Harvesting allows more room for the herbs to develop and grow. If you find that your herb plant is looking a little dense, harvest some herbs to add to your next meal!
  • Fertilize – As a rule of thumb, use a fertilizer that’s made for vegetables and herbs and fertilize every two to three weeks. You can simply mix the fertilizer into the water you’ll be giving your plants that week. Just make sure you fertilize the soil, not the plant itself.

Best Herbs for Outdoor Growing

If you’re planning to grow herbs outdoors, here are the ones that are most likely to thrive outside: 

  • Basil 
  • Chives
  • Mint 
  • Coriander 
  • Dill 
  • Fennel 
  • Rosemary 
  • Parsely 
  • Sage 

Grow Herbs Indoors

Growing herbs indoors is the perfect way to keep them thriving all year round. If you love the fresh smell and taste of herbs in your dishes throughout the year, this is the way to go. Here are our tips for growing herbs indoors: 

  • Natural light – south-facing windows have the best light throughout the entire day, so it’s more likely that your herbs will do the best when placed on the windowsill.
  • Under grow lights – if you don’t have a sunny windowsill, full-spectrum grow lights are ideal for all herbs. Start by having the lights on for 12-16 hours each day and adjust as necessary. 
  • Water and Fertilize – You can use the same watering and fertilizing tips as mentioned above. However, since the herbs will be grown indoors, they may not need to be watered as often. 
  • Give them space – herbs will continue to grow; while starting with a small pot might be a good starting point, you’ll eventually need to re-pot the herbs so you can allow them some room to grow.

Best Herbs for Indoor Growing 

For growing herbs indoors, here are the options that will give the best results:

  • Basil
  • Bay Laurel 
  • Chervil
  • Chives 
  • Mint 
  • Oregano 
  • Parsley 
  • Rosemary 
  • Thyme                                                   

Cook in Your Dream Kitchen with Mountain States Kitchen and Bath                                  

Now that you can grow herbs at home, you can get creative with those new recipes you’ve wanted to try out. If you love cooking but don’t love your kitchen, give Mountain States Kitchen and Bath a call. We’re dedicated to working with you to provide you with your dream kitchen that you can create new memories in with your friends and family.  Contact us today to get started on your kitchen project! We serve Lehi, Utah, and the greater Utah County area. 

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