How to grow herbs for cooking

Where to Grow Herbs

Indoors

Place in a sunny east- or south-facing window or under a skylight.  Or, consider a grow light to place over your herbs.  Basil, parsley, and rosemary are easy to grow indoors.

Small Outdoor Space

For easy use, plant herbs along walkways or at the edge of your garden. 

Patio or Balcony

Find ways to use vertical space.  Hanging baskets and multi-level plant stands can help add more herbs per square foot.  If you have a rail, attach long window boxes to your balcony.

Easiest Herbs to Grow and How to Use Them

• Rosemary

Add flavor to poultry, beef, fish, potato dishes, pasta dishes, or pizza dough

• Mint

Add to tea, desserts, grain dishes, salads, pork, lamb, peas, or sauces

• Thyme

Add flavor to beef, pork, lamb, vegetable dishes, lentils, fish, soups, sauces, or egg dishes

• Sage

Add flavor to poultry, poultry stuffing, beef, pork, sauces, bean dishes, or sausage

• Oregano

Add to pizza, sauces, pork, vegetable dishes, fish, or chili

• Tarragon

Use to flavor poultry, seafood, egg dishes, or sauces

• Parsley

Chop and sprinkle onto any dish

• Cilantro

Use in fresh salsa or guacamole

• Chives

Add to egg or potato dishes

• Basil

Use in salads, pesto, sauces, egg dishes, or pasta dishes

Tips for Growing Herbs in Containers

It is great if you have outdoor space to plant herbs.  However, many herbs grow better in containers (especially mint, basil, thyme, parsley, and rosemary).

• Select Hardy Varieties

Choose herbs that you cook with the most frequently and try to find heirloom varieties whenever possible.  If you’re not sure how to get started, the staff at the nursery or gardening department should be able to answer your questions.

• Choose a Sunny Location

Position your pots directly beneath your window to increase sunlight effectiveness.  Don’t forget that pots can be moved around when seasons and light conditions shift.  Remember to rotate your pots occasionally, so that your herbs grow evenly.

• Use a Container with Good Drainage

Choose pots with drains and saucers.  If you only have a sealed pot, place rocks in the bottom of the pot and add some vermiculite to the soil, or use potting soil, to help with drainage.

• Use the Proper Soil

Be sure to purchase potting or container soil rather than bringing in dirt from outside. Potting soil is disease- and weed-free, drains quickly, and will help promote rapid and healthy root growth.

• Water and Fertilize Carefully

Most plants die from too much attention, rather than not enough.  Fertilizer should be added every three to six weeks, depending on whether the plant is indoor or outdoor.  Use a calendar to keep track.  To check for water, put your finger in the soil about two inches deep.  If it is dry, the plant needs water.  Otherwise, don’t water it.

• Harvest Properly

Wait until the plant is mature to harvest for the first time.  Never harvest more than one third of the plant at one time.  Wait for that one third to grow back before you harvest again.  Remove all flowers that appear to ensure the most vibrant flavor.  Herbs will grow quicker and fuller if you prune them correctly.

Want to learn more? 

Read VA's Garden to Table Cookbook to learn more ways to incorporate home grown herbs and more into your cooking.

Reach out to your dietitian for more information! Call 217-554-4676 for an appointment.

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