Lifestyles: Essential herbs for your home garden

As spring is in full bloom, I am so excited to begin planning my garden for this year. Having a garden at my home is lots of work but it is also very rewarding.

Aside from the obvious prize which is the bounty of herbs and vegetables that I discover almost every evening. There too is a relaxing and therapeutic value to planting at home.

I would like to encourage you all to plant your own herbs and vegetables this year.  You do not need acres of land to begin.  All you need to know about planting you learned in Kindergarten.  I am sure that we all remember the milk carton seedlings that were planted then took home as gifts. That is all of the confidence that is needed to plant just one thing.  

Just like that school project you just need soil, a container and seeds. If you have never planted and maintained a full-size garden then I urge you to begin on a smaller scale. Herbs are the perfect way for you to cut your gardening teeth.

Depending on your ambition you can grow each herb from a seed, which takes only a few weeks to do. Or you can do what I usually do and buy healthy, organic raised herb plants from a local nursery. The benefit of buying herb plants other than timing is the fact that they are stronger and more established which means that they have a greater chance of thriving.

To begin growing  herbs you do not need lots of space, mainly just a sunny spot for them to reside. Container gardening may be a good idea for you based on your gardening choices.  

{Photo: Stock}

You could plant in your kitchen window, on a porch in pots, or once the threat of frost is no more, you could plant them directly in your garden. There are handy herb identifying charts available online as well as the infamous planting almanac which contain a wealth of information necessary for the entire planting year. Do some research to know the soil, light and watering requirements for each item that you plant.

Growing herbs is  a great way to extend your palate and teach you which flavors compliment which dishes. 

I will be planting the following herbs as well as sharing recipes and photos of each one that I plant:

~Basil
~Thyme
~Oregano
~Cilantro
~Rosemary
~Parsley
~Chives
~Sage
~Mint

 In closing, I would like to leave you with this.

Gardening is addictive, happy planting!