Not much compares to the fresh taste of basil in a batch of homemade pasta sauce. Not only are herbs a healthful and delicious addition to your recipes, but they’re also fun to grow and a great activity to do with your kids. Learn how to easily start your herb garden at home and, with a little bit of effort and time, you’ll reap the culinary benefits fresh herbs bring to your kitchen table.
Begin with the basics
The care and feeding of your herb garden
4. Use fertilizer when adding starter plants to containers. To add starter plants to containers, simply dampen and spread high-quality potting soil into the container. You’ll want to dig a hole big enough to fit the starter plants and then add fertilizer to speed up the growing process. For best results, follow the fertilizer package directions when using fertilizer on your starter plants. Once that is ready, just add the plant to the soil and fertilizer mixture, cover and fill in any spaces and then spray everything until damp.
“I always start from plants I buy at the nursery. I don’t usually grow things from seed,” mom of two Jill Robbins told Mom.com. “I’m not that great of a gardener and it makes me feel better if I can see the plant from the start.”
5. Keep pests away with diluted neem oil if you’ve transplanted your indoor herbs outside and are concerned about bugs getting to your precious leaves. Neem oil is a natural pesticide and can be purchased in your local nursery. It is diluted and then sprayed periodically on herb leaves to keep pests away and are safe to humans and pets. Clemson University College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences suggests spraying plants in the evening for best results.
Tending an herb garden is a great way to add some fresh flavor to your meals but it’s also a fun, productive family activity that can bring everyone together in the kitchen. Preparing meals together, using fresh ingredients you grow and harvest yourself is rewarding for everyone. Much like cultivating your own herb garden at home, the time spent together cooking, preparing, and sharing a meal will help grow and nurture your family for years to come.
