Growing Fresh Herbs

Growing herbs at home not only offers a delicious burst of flavor to your favorite dishes but it also makes an impact on how your family eats and how much you spend. If you enjoy cooking and want that fresh-picked taste in your meals year round, starting a herb garden may be a very rewarding task.

May is a good time to plant just about any herb, whether outside in your garden or potted indoors. Take a look at your spice cabinet and make a list of herbs you use regularly so you can decide which herbs to start with. Read on as we share some ideas on some of the easy-to-grow herbs at home.

Basil

If you want to grow just one herb, make it basil. It's one of the most low-maintenance herbs out there and it complements so many cooking styles and cuisines. As the summers get warmer, basil continues to grow and become more flavorful. Harvest foliage regularly to prevent it from flowering as this promotes woody growth and more bitter flavors.  

Dill

Another herb that thrives in the hot summers of Missouri is dill. There are different varieties of dill, all of which have a unique taste and can be used for those classic dill recipes like soups, stews or for pickling. Dill plants do not like to be transplanted so it is recommended to sow seeds directly into the ground. Unlike many herbs, the flavor of dill foliage is best once the plant begins to flower.

Oregano

Oregano can be grown throughout the entire year. It is a perennial herb that is most commonly used on tomato-centric recipes like pizza and pasta sauce, as well as olive oil-based dishes. For the best flavor, harvest in spring and early summer, just as the flower buds form.

Thyme

When it comes to planting thyme, you can start by growing them indoors and then transfer the young plants outside when they’re ready. Once established, thyme requires relatively little maintenance. It's best to harvest them before their flowers open.

Mint

Mint is such a versatile herb and it thrives in Missouri’s cold weather. The only real challenge of growing mint is that it is incredibly invasive. It will spread throughout your garden and may harm your other plants. It is best to plant mint in gardening containers so you can isolate them.

At Sara's Boxes & Boards, adding fresh herbs is one of our not-so-secret ingredients to enhance the color, texture, aroma, and flavor of our charcuterie board. As a bonus, we are able to curate an impressive charcuterie that becomes the talk of the party.

Do you have a favorite herb that you cook with or grow? Tell us in the comments!