D.I.Y Herb Garden
February 9, 2024
Many of us have bunkered down at home and are not getting out to visit the Waterford Kitchen Garden as often as usual, so we have put together a guide which will have you growing a thriving herb garden at home!
You don’t need a green thumb or a lot of space to grow your own herbs, all you need is a well-lit windowsill or small backyard to take your culinary feats to the next level.
No matter which herbs you choose to grow, follow our D.I.Y herb garden guide and you’ll be picking fresh produce in no time!
You can choose to grow your herbs in pots or in a garden bed, for convenience many people ensure their herbs are located close to the kitchen. According to the Gardening Australia Guide, the most used herbs are basil, chives, parsley, mint and rosemary.
BASIL
Height: grows to 40cm tall
Light requirements: prefers full sun but will tolerate part shade
Where to plant: great border plant in garden beds and grows well in pots, plant 20cm apart
Best time to plant: spring
Kitchen uses: freshly picked or dried, perfect for Italian food
CHIVES
Height: 20-30cm tall
Light requirements: grows well in sun or semi-shade
Where to plant: perfect for pots
Best time to plant: spring and summer
Kitchen uses: best used fresh in salads, soups and with eggs
PARSLEY
Height: 30cm tall
Light requirements: sun or part shade
Where to plant: in the garden or larger pots
Best time to plant: spring, summer or early autumn
Kitchen uses: fresh or dried, often used as a garnish
MINT
Height: low growing, scrambling plant
Light requirements: shade
Where to plant: best grown in a pot to help control the spread
Best time to plant: any time of year
Kitchen uses: meat dishes, mint sauce and desserts
ROSEMARY
Height: 60-150cm tall
Light requirements: sun or part shade
Where to plant: pots with drainage
Best time to plant: spring, summer or early autumn
Kitchen uses: fresh or dried, pairs well with lamb and chicken
CARE TIPS – FOR HAPPY HERBS:
- When harvesting your herbs, cut them where the stem meets the main plant. This will ensure the plant can continue to grow and will encourage new shoots.
- You should water your herbs weekly and more often in hotter months. A good way to know if your herbs need water is by checking the soil, if it feels dry it’s probably thirsty.
For more information on the best way to grow each of the herbs above follow this link to the Gardening Australia Guide website.
We can’t wait to see what you grow, make sure you share your Waterford herb gardening pictures with us on Facebook!