Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow. Even if you think that you dont have a green thumb, you can definitely grow some herbs. And the best part is that you dont need a huge space to grow them. These simple herbs can be grown in any containers or plastic bottles. It is so much more rewarding to grow your own herbs than to buy them. Also the taste and smell of fresh herbs is something else altogether. You can grow your herbs in balconies, kitchen gardens or sunny window sills as well. Growing your own herb ensures that they are organic and free from chemicals. A kitchen window with these green bright herb containers will look vibrant. How to care for your herbs Light Most herbs grow best in bright light of atleast 4-6 hours. If they are planted in containers, it is best to turn them frequently so that they dont bend towards one direction. A sunny spot is the best location to grow your herbs. Watering Water your herbs well but make sure that you dont let them sit in wet soil. Overwatering will cause root rot and your herbs will die. Make sure the soil is dry before you water it and ensure that the soil is moist and not wet at any time. One of the signs of overwatering is yellowing of leaves. Soil The soil needs to be well draining and not clumpy. Herbs prefer soil rich in organic matter. You can use organic kitchen waste compost to fertilizer your soil. Container Make sure the container you are using has good drainage holes. The container should be big enough to allow the plant to grow well. 10inch pots would be ideal to grow your herbs. You can also grow them in recycled plastic containers as well. Just ensure that the water drains well. Pruning - The best thing about herbs is that the more your prune them or pluck the leaves, more growth will take place. This will ensure that you have an endless supply of fresh herbs for your everyday meals. If your herbs start flowering, it means you havent pruned them enough. But dont prune more than 1/3 rd of the plant. Here is a list of 15 herbs you can easily grow in your kitchen garden : Basil Basil likes warm temperature and sunlight for atleast 6 hours for optimum growth. It requires well drained, moist soil. Pruning of the leaves encourages new growth. You can easily grow basil from cuttings or seeds. The more it is harvested, the bushier the plant will be. Rosemary It grows well in alkaline, well drained soil and likes hot climate. Pruning will help more growth. Rosemary will grow for many years if planted in a large container with the right conditions. Oregano Oregano can grow in containers or ground and spread quickly. It likes full sunlight or part shade as well and can grow faster with pruning. The more it is harvested the quicker it will grow. Thyme Thyme likes fast draining soil. It can take a few months to become fully established. Water well so that the plant does not wilt. Mint Mint is one of the easiest plants to grow. It can be easily propagated from cuttings. Once it gets established, it will take over your garden. It is suitable for both sun and shade regions. It is best to plant mint in a pot which has space for it to spread. Sage Sage grows easily from cuttings. It likes warm temperature and well draining soil. It does not tolerate wet soil. Marjoram Marjoram is similar to oregano and spreads well and grows quickly when pruned. It is best grown in a warm sunny spot and likes well drained soil. Coriander An Indian dish is not complete without coriander. Easy to grow from seeds and can be harvested within 30-45 days, coriander likes full sunlight, and well draining soil. Garlic chives The more you pluck these leaves, the more leaves you have, garlic chives is an easy herb to grow, prefers well draining soil but is also slightly drought tolerant. Spring onion No Chinese dish we prepare is complete without spring onions. Grow it in full sun and fertile soil. Lemongrass Lemongrass tea is soothing and refreshing. The more you harvest these leaves, the faster it grows. Lemongrass likes fertile, rich well draining soil. Curry leaves An Indian dish is not complete without these fragrant leaves. Curry leaves like abundant sunlight and will grow well in a bigger container. Dill Dill can be easily grown from seeds. Sprinkle the seeds lightly on well draining, organic matter rich soil and water well. After 10-14 days young plants will grow. It can be grown in full sunlight or partial sunlight as well. Lavender Lavender likes full sun and it is very important to have a well draining soil mix. It does not like wet soggy soil. Pruning the branches will encourage new growth. Lemon balm Lemon balm thrives in cool climate and requires a good amount of sunlight. Dont overwater your lemon balm. Add a few leaves to make lemon balm tea which is fragrant and refreshing. Use your fresh, home grown herbs in salads, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, soups, stew, roasts and so many more dishes. You can make teas out of most herbs which have many health benefits. Herbal teas help in relaxing our mind. The antioxidant and vitamins provide good immunity. It helps in reducing pain and soreness. Herbal teas greatly improve digestion and detoxification. It stimulates brain function as well. Try growing some of these herbs that you use in your cooking and see for yourself how rewarding they can be. Get Help From An Expert Want help to get started on these lovely fresh herbs ? Get in touch with us athttps://www.urbanmali.com/or call us at 918880482000 for any queries. We can help you with your kitchen garden.
