These 21 herbs and spices are highly recommended to grow in your garden.
Gardening with herbs is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. Not only are you able to enjoy a delicious bounty, but you’re also bringing beauty and nourishment into your life. If you’ve been thinking of creating an herb garden in your backyard, balcony or patio, here are 21 herbs and spices that will add a flavorful touch to any outdoor space.
From basil and rosemary to oregano and dill, there are many different types of herbs that can be grown in containers or directly within the borders of a raised bed. Learning which herbs grow well in a container will help maximize their growth potential—and make it easier for anyone without much gardening space available. It’s also important to know what should not be planted near other herbs as certain combinations can stunt growth or hinder flavor outcome. Lastly, we’ll cover which herb grows fastest so that regardless of where your gardening skills currently reside you’ll be able gather up those ingredients fast.
What Are The Best Herbs To Grow?
Growing herbs is a great way to add flavor and nutrition to your meals. There are many different types of herbs that can be grown in the garden or indoors, and each has its own unique flavor and health benefits. Some of the most popular herbs to grow include rosemary, oregano, basil, thyme, sage, chives, parsley, cilantro and mint.
Rosemary is one of the most flavorful herbs and is great for adding to things like poultry, meats, and vegetables. It also has medicinal properties that can help with digestion issues like indigestion or bloating. Oregano is another popular herb that adds a robust flavor to dishes like pasta sauce or pizza. It also contains antioxidants which may help reduce inflammation in the body. Basil is an herb that adds a sweet yet savory flavor to dishes such as pesto or tomato sauces. It’s also rich in vitamin K which helps support healthy bones and teeth.
Thyme is an herb with a slightly lemony taste that pairs well with fish or poultry dishes as well as soups and stews. Sage has an earthy taste that pairs well with roasted vegetables or meat dishes such as pork chops or turkey breast. Chives have a mild onion-like flavor that goes well with salads or omelets while parsley adds freshness to any dish it’s added too including soups and sauces. Cilantro has a strong citrus-like flavor which makes it perfect for adding freshness to Mexican dishes such as tacos or burritos while mint can be used in teas for its calming effects on the body but can also be added into desserts for a refreshing aftertaste.
If you’re looking for herbs with medicinal qualities then some good options are lavender which helps reduce stress levels; lemon balm which aids digestion; chamomile which helps promote relaxation; ginger which aids in digestion; turmeric which helps reduce inflammation; echinacea which boosts immunity; dandelion root which supports liver health; peppermint oil for headaches; fennel seed for digestive issues; ginkgo biloba for memory enhancement; catnip tea for colds/flu symptoms; valerian root tea as an aid against insomnia; garlic capsules/oil capsules/tea bags for heart health benefits ;and finally St John’s Wort oil capsules/tea bags for mood enhancement. All these herbs have powerful healing properties when taken correctly so make sure you do your research before consuming them.
What Herbs Grow Well In A Container?
Mint is an excellent choice for container gardening, as it does not require much space and can tolerate short periods of drought. It also has a pleasant aroma that can add to the ambience of a garden. Basil is another herb that grows well in containers, as it can be planted in full sun or partial shade and requires little maintenance. Fennel is also suitable for container gardening, however, it should be planted in a larger pot as its height may cause the container to become top heavy and fall over.
Rosemary is another herb that thrives when grown in containers. This plant prefers hot and dry conditions with plenty of sunlight, so it should be placed in an area with full sun exposure. Proper drainage is essential for rosemary to avoid root rot, so ensure the soil drains well and avoid overwatering. Rosemary will also benefit from fertile soil that contains plenty of organic matter to keep the roots healthy.
When planting herbs together in one pot, consider their heights before selecting them for your garden. Taller herbs like fennel should be avoided when planting in smaller pots as they may become too top-heavy and cause the container to topple over. Instead opt for trailing herbs such as oregano or thyme which will cascade over the edges of a pot nicely while still providing plenty of flavor for your dishes.
Container gardens are perfect for novice gardeners who want to enjoy fresh herbs without taking up too much space or requiring too much maintenance. By selecting herbs with similar needs such as sunlight requirements and water preferences you can easily create an attractive herb garden right on your balcony or patio.
What Herbs Should Not Be Potted Together?
When it comes to potted herbs, there are some that should not be planted together. For example, basil should not be planted with other herbs in a single pot as it needs a lot of space to reach its full potential. Instead, it is best to dedicate two separate areas for basil and the other herbs. Other herbs that do not do well when potted together include mints, oregano, thyme, bay leaves and parsley. Mints can be particularly problematic as they tend to spread quickly and can take over an entire pot if left unchecked.
In addition to avoiding certain herbs when planting in one pot, it is also important to consider the size of the container being used. Large containers are best for pairing basil with other herbs as this will give each plant enough space to grow without overcrowding the pot. Smaller containers are more suitable for growing more compact varieties such as chives and lavender which take up less room in the pot.
Finally, there are some plants that have an adverse effect on each other’s growth or flavor when grown together such as cilantro and horseradish or lemon balm and hops. In these cases it is best to either dedicate two separate areas for these plants or avoid planting them together altogether in order to get the most out of them both in terms of flavor and growth potential.
Overall, there are certain combinations of herbs that should be avoided when planting them in one container such as basil with other herbs or cilantro with horseradish due their different needs or potential adverse effects on one another’s growth or taste. It is important to consider both the size of the container being used as well as any potential conflicts between different types of plants before deciding which ones should go into a single pot together so that each herb has enough room and resources available for optimal growth and flavor development.
What Should You Not Plant Near Herbs?
When planting herbs, it is important to be aware of the plants that should not be grown near them. Wormwood, for example, should not be planted in a vegetable garden at all and should be kept far away from basil and sage plants in an herb garden. This is because wormwood can cause these other herbs to grow poorly. Mint is often used for its medicinal properties, but it can spread quickly and take over an area if not contained properly. Therefore, edging or containers may be necessary when planting mint or other herbs that spread easily such as oregano, bergamot (beebalm), or lavender.
When selecting a place to grow your herbs, make sure they receive four to six hours of sun daily. Consider planting a variety of both annuals and perennials so that you have a constant supply throughout the year. Popular culinary herbs include basil, mint, oregano, thyme, bay leaves parsley cilantro chives and lavender; all of which tend to grow well with other herbs like rosemary sage savory and thyme.
It is also important to pay attention to the plant tags that come with each pot when purchasing herb plants as they will provide information on the height and width of the fully grown plant. This will help ensure that you have enough space between each plant so they are not overcrowded which could result in decreased growth or disease transmission between them. Additionally, this will also help prevent any potential competition for resources such as sunlight or water between different species of plants in your garden bedding area.
Overall it is essential to consider what types of plants should not be planted near your herb garden when planning out your layout beforehand in order to ensure healthy growth for all species involved without any potential negative effects from one another’s presence nearby.
What Is The Fastest Growing Spice?
Dill is the fastest growing spice. It germinates quickly and produces a large harvest in a short amount of time. Its leaves are delicate and feathery, making it ideal for adding flavor to salads, soups, and sauces. Dill has a mild, slightly bitter taste that complements many dishes. It is also known for its medicinal properties, such as aiding digestion and reducing inflammation.
Cilantro is the second fastest growing spice. It germinates quickly and produces an abundance of leaves in just a few weeks. Cilantro has an earthy flavor that adds depth to many dishes like tacos, salsa, and guacamole. It also contains essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc which makes it beneficial for overall health.
Ginger is the third fastest growing spice on this list. This root vegetable grows rapidly when planted in warm climates with plenty of sunlight or indoors with proper lighting conditions. Ginger has a distinct flavor that can be used to add heat to savory dishes or sweetness to desserts like cakes or cookies. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it beneficial for treating ailments such as nausea or muscle pain as well as boosting immunity levels in the body.
Coriander is the fourth fastest growing spice on this list with its seeds germinating within two weeks of planting them outdoors or indoors with proper lighting conditions provided they are kept moist at all times during growth period. Coriander has an aromatic flavor which can be used to enhance savory dishes like curries or soups while its essential oils have antiseptic properties which make them useful for treating skin infections.
Turmeric comes fifth on our list of fast-growing spices with its roots taking about one month before they are ready for harvesting. Turmeric has a pungent taste which can be used in curries, rice dishes, soups, stews, pickles, marinades etc. Additionally turmeric’s active ingredient curcumin helps reduce inflammation, improve digestion and boost immunity levels thus making it beneficial for overall health.
Basil takes the top spot when it comes to fast-growing herbs that germinate quickly within days after sowing their seeds outdoors or indoors under suitable conditions. Basil adds freshness to any dish due to its sweet yet peppery aroma while its antioxidant content helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals thus making it beneficial for overall health.