DIY: Herb Garden

If you’ve always wanted to be a plant parent but want to start easy, try your hand at growing your own herbs. These non-fussy kitchen necessities are a great way to eat organic and help in the fight against climate change.

To start your garden, first, pick the plants you want to grow. Some culinary staples include lavender, basil, thyme, sage, cilantro, rosemary, and parsley. Depending on your gardening comfort level you can pick out a package of seeds or just grab a seedling (baby plant) from your local nursery.

Next, plan your garden design. Do you have a patch of land outside to cultivate? Will you be making a container garden in your windowsill? Decide what route you will go and purchase a garden soil for planting. Make sure to read the care instructions on your selected herbs as some plants such as lavender and rosemary have higher drainage needs than most herbs.

Choose a spot that gets full sun. Herbs need maximum sunlight to grow. Once you have your herbs planted, the fun can begin. Regular care of plants is a relaxing, meditative practice. Plants like it best when they are watered in the mornings and the evenings. This allows them to absorb the water before it evaporates. Always check to make sure the soil is moist – dry soil or soil pooled with water will not lead to a healthy plant. Last, make sure you water the soil and not the leaves of the herb.

Now watch your herbs grow! Plants need a little TLC to stay healthy so keep an eye on them to make sure they’re getting enough sun and water. When they’re ready to harvest, sprinkle some leaves into your cooking and enjoy.