3 Easy-to-Grow Herbs
By Michele Harris
Basil
Basil can be blended into sauces or chopped up to boost a salad—it’s your go-to herb. According to the website A Couple Cooks, you can even use it to top ice cream! They say, “Jazz up vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries, basil and a balsamic reduction.”
You should grow more than one basil plant if you’re planning on using it for, say, a pesto sauce. There are over 60 varieties, so half the fun is choosing which plant you want. Basil develops easily from seed, thrives in moist but well-drained soil and loves the sun. If you don’t choose to eat it, it’s still a beautiful, aromatic plant.
Mint
It's a breeze to plant and grow mint inside. Like basil, mint needs good drainage; it prefers to be moist but not overly wet. Unlike basil, mint needs indirect light.
Mint likes humidity so that it can be sprayed between waterings. Or place its container (wide, shallow plastic ones work well) on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Rotate mint every three to four days. Fertilizing isn’t necessary for mint; in fact, it can cause the herb to lose some of its flavor.
Oregano
Known for adding flavor to food, oregano is another sun worshipper. Organically fertilize it, rotate its pot, and don’t overwater it. Oregano likes to be the only plant in the pot—don’t even grow it together with other oregano plants.
In spring 2022, Relax & Radiate Crate subscribers received a decorative planter pot, a grow-your-own-herb kit from True Leaf Market, and a set of watering globes. Don't miss our next box of surprises!
For more information, go to howtoculinaryherbgarden.com and gardeningknowhow.com.
This article originally appeared in Relax & Radiate Crate's mini magazine, The Girlfriend From AARP mini magazine (Volume 2, Summer 2022).
Happy planting!