There are certain herbs that I love in combination with other foods. Basil over mozzarella cheese drizzled with olive oil, rosemary drizzled over a baked chicken breast, or cooked with Thanksgiving turkey are just two of many. However, there are five herbs in particular that I think every home gardener should add to their list. They are easy to grow, don’t take up a lot of space, and are super easy to start.
Basil
The aforementioned herb is my number one herb of choice. In addition to the dish I told you about earlier, basil can be added to sauces, soups, and stews to enhance flavor. There are a number of varieties of basil, including lemon, licorice, and slam queen to name a few, but my favorite is Italian Large Leaf, which is also the most common basil you see. You can grow basil in a pot on your windowsill and have it on hand year-round.
Rosemary
I mentioned this herb before and it is worth mentioning again because it is one of my favorites, especially when it comes to using it with poultry dishes. Rosemary can grow up to two feet tall, so it’s more than likely not a houseplant for most home gardeners. It’s also a difficult herb to grow, as studies have shown in some areas of the world that the germination rate is around 50%, so you’ll want to sow the seeds heavily. However, if you are successful with it, the rosemary adds tremendous flavor.
Oregano
What other herb can you think of that goes better with pizza than oregano? Common Italian is the variety of oregano that most people are used to. It’s also a great addition to soups and stews. It is a perennial plant so you will not have to sow new seeds every year and it is a very resistant plant.
Parsley
My mom made the best dish called parsley potatoes. It’s a basic recipe where you melt some butter, mix parsley into the butter, and then top some cut potatoes with the mixture. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until potatoes are soft. Adding fresh parsley to this recipe makes Mom’s cooking even better. Parsley is an annual herb so it will come back and the best part is you can have fresh parsley right from your backyard in as little as 70 days.
chives
Chocolate has its partner, peanut butter, and sour cream has its partner, chives. Chives are a perennial plant that have a mild, almost onion flavor. When grown, it looks like grass and is a great addition to potatoes, soups, stews, and more.
These are just 5 of the many herbs you can choose from when creating a mixed herb garden with your home garden. These easy-to-grow plants will add flavor to your kitchen with very little effort.