If you are passionate about cooking, then the annoying chore of going to a shop to buy your herbs may affect your cooking spirits on certain days. Imagine having fresh herbs at your home- you go to your kitchen garden and pluck the herbs that you require. Now, tell me, doesn’t it sound interesting! Who does not like to have fresh and home-grown herbs and veggies, in this world of chemicals, toxins, and pesticides that are mixed with the vegetables we eat? You can grow a few kitchen herbs at your home for enjoying a healthy menu. All you require is a few square feet area in the kitchen balcony, and, of course, a bit of hard work and love.
Here are a few kitchen garden ideas and tips on how you can grow herbs right inside your kitchen!
Healthy Kitchen Garden Herbs
Coriander
Cilantro or coriander is one of the common herbs used in almost all Indian dishes. This herb can be grown easily in your kitchen, and the plants start flowering within a short span of time. For growing coriander, select a tray instead of a pot for better growth with huge space. Fill 80% of the tray with rich soil. You can grow coriander by planting 10 to 12 split seeds. Sow the seeds half an inch deep inside the soil, leaving a 3-inch gap in between 2 seeds.
Sprinkle water on the seeds and it will sprout in 15 days. Continue sprinkling the sprouts for seedlings to grow and be harvest worthy. Make sure the tray you are using has enough holes so that excess water drains out easily. Keep the tray under direct sunlight. You can use a nitrogen-based liquid fertilizer on a tray of coriander seeds, to enhance the foliage.
Cilantro grows well in a climate that is neither too cold or too hot. Generally, excessive heat causes the plant to fruit and flower to grow prematurely, before the leaves get ready for harvesting. It is important to harvest the coriander stalks at the right time as leaving them to grow too long without cutting will make the leaves tasteless. The coriander plant should be about 6 inches tall for harvesting.
Make sure you collect the seeds that grow on the maturation of the coriander plant. These can be divided into two and utilized for the second cycle of potting. Cilantro leaves should be harvested in small quantity, instead of doing it at once. Do not harvest more than 1/3rd of the foliage on the plant at any point of time as doing this will weaken the plant.
Curry Leaves
Curry leaves are not only used in various dishes but also used for its medicinal benefits. These leaves are commonly used for preparing different types of Ayurvedic medicines. To grow curry leaves, neither do you need too much area, nor do you require to spend too much money on the maintenance.
There are two different ways to grow curry leaves. The slowest method is to buy some fresh curry leaf seeds and take out the outer hard shell so that the seeds germinate and sprout fast. Seedlings that develop from these seeds will take a few years to become harvest worthy.
The second method you can choose is getting a plant to transplant it in a container in the kitchen garden. Curry leaves grow well in deep trays or containers that have enough holes so that the extra water can be drained out. Make sure that the container you use is filled with rich soil and change it when the plant starts growing. Take care to ensure that none of the roots is broken while re-potting.
Curry leaf plants require direct sunlight to grow properly. The plant starts leaving its leaves in winter and watering these plants should be reduced during this season for avoiding the roots from getting rotten.
Now that you understand that kitchen gardening is quite simple, start your own little kitchen garden today!
Parsley
Parsley is a slightly bitter herb that can improve the taste of your foods. Many consider parsley to be a great garnish for food, but it helps foods like stew attain a balanced flavor. As an added advantage, parsley can improve digestion. This is a kitchen herb that grows in a mild climate. Parsley plants will grow to be bushy and huge. This is one of the healthiest kitchen garden herbs as it is a good source of Vitamin C and A.
Mint
There are huge varieties of mint. You can use this herb in drinks like mint juleps or mojitos. Or even add some mint to your refreshing summer iced tea. Mints freshen the breath and are good for your stomach too. But if you are planning to grow mint, keep in mind that it is an invasive plant. Mint will spread and take over your entire garden. It is better to grow in containers.
Chives
This is a commonly grown healthy herb, but it is not consumed much. Yes, they are beautiful to look at, but their slight onion flavor is perfect for dishes that require a layer of taste, without an intense onion flavor.
Dill
It is one of the unique kitchen garden herbs as it is used for adding flavor to fish, peas, potatoes, and lamb. It also helps in digestion, fights bad breath, and helps treat cramps and swellings. It will predatory insects like wasps to your garden. Using this can save your visit to the dentist.
Sage
It is an aromatic herb that is great for seasoning sauces, vegetables, and meats. But be careful as sage tends to overpower other tastes. This kitchen herb helps to relieve cuts, inflammation and helps to treat memory problems. There was a time when this herb was considered a medicinal cure. It is easy to grow and does not require much effort to take care of. It is great for attracting bees.
Thyme
This is a delicate plant. Often, it is used for adding flavor to beans, vegetables, and eggs. Thyme is frequently used in Italian, Mediterranean, and Provincial French dishes. Pair it with poultry, lamb, and tomatoes. Often, thyme is added to stews and soups. This herb is a part of the mint family. The most common variety of all is garden thyme with gray-green leaves and lemon smell.
Lemon Balm
The delicious lemon balm is one of the beautiful kitchen garden herbs that can fill your pots with beautiful lush green leaves. You must cut it several times throughout the growing season and store it for teas and enjoy during the winter. The lemon balm gives a true lemon flavor and can be used in a recipe that utilizes lemon juice. You can even try it in pesto for your fish, and as a substitute for cilantro to add in ceviche. It is a useful and lovely herb.
Fennel
This kitchen garden herb is aromatic and flavorful, and along with anise, it is the main ingredient in absinthe. This kitchen herb is native to the Mediterranean area and grows best in dry soil near the riverbank or ocean. This herb has strongly flavored leaves and looks like a dill. The bulb of the herb can be grilled, or you can even eat it raw. Fennel bulbs are often used for garnishing.
French Tarragon
French Tarragon is the traditional ingredient of “Fines Herbs” and is regarded as the king of fresh herbs. A must-have ingredient for any culinary, it transforms any dish into a work of art with its unique taste. A pinch of it can make a huge difference in culinary.