An herb garden is one of the easiest things to grow and will change your cooking dramatically! They can be grown just about anywhere! Don't assume you need a yard…herbs do great in window boxes, on balconies or even inside. There is just no substitute for the flavor you can get from fresh herbs! I know we are heading into winter and our gardens are going dormant for the the season, but store bought fresh herbs are still available and I suggest you take advantage. When I bring home store bought herbs, this is how I like to keep them:
I use my favorite mason jar from my friend Autumn's wedding and display the herbs like flowers. It'll make your house smell wonderful. Just keep out of the direct sun (they can dry out faster) and change the water every other day.
Here is one of my favorite porch or balcony herb gardens! This one is my friend Autumn's and she was nice enough to let me post a picture of it!
I love it because you can plant different things on all of the tiers and it spins so you can make sure everything gets enough light! The best herbs to start with are basil, parsley, dill, chives, thyme, rosemary, oregano and cilantro. These are pretty easy to grow and all very useful!
Here is a really cool counter top one I found:
The water runs off the dishes and into the soil of the herbs, therefore you never have to water them! Just do your dishes often!
Aside from herbs, lettuce and tomatoes are probably the next step up on the easy growing chart. You can find lettuce seeds just about anywhere. As for tomatoes, my best advice is to buy your favorite kind of tomato at the store. Cut it open and try it, is it delicious? Then take the seeds out of that tomato and drop them into the ground or a pot. That way you know the exact species you are going to be growing. A lot of the tomato seeds they sell are bland, this way you know they will be great!
Inspired? Get planning for next spring or if it's 90 degrees like it is here today in Los Angeles, start planting!
These are really great ideas! I can’t wait to try all of them, they look delicious.
I love the dishpan/herb tray. How lovely is that?!
I LOVE your friend’s tier garden. Where did she get it? It would be perfect since my home’s backyard is a slab of cement.
Man I’m still obsessing over your friend’s herb garden. That would be so fantastic & decorative with herbs and even flowers for compact spaces. I must know where she got it!