The weather is starting to warm up, and green thumbs right around New Zealand are making plans for the planting season. Even if you don’t have heaps of space in your garden or much planting know-how, you too can enjoy a harvest in no time. In fact, you can even get a head start inside your own home!
A kitchen herb garden is an easy way to grow your own food and save some money on the weekly shop. Many plants commonly used in cooking can thrive indoors with very little effort. Here are seven to start your own mini garden:
1. Mint
Mint may be one of the easiest herbs to grow. Most varieties are invasive and can quickly take over a container and choke out other plants. Plant some seeds in their own pot, and place it in a shady spot where it can get a bit of light each day.
2. Chives
Chives are great for indoor gardens. They don’t require much light and regrow quickly. Just pull a bunch, including the roots, from an established plant (an easier option than starting from seed). Put the bunch into a small container half-full of potting soil and cover the roots with more soil. Cut about one-third off the top of the plant to stimulate new growth.
3. Parsley
Not only is parsley easy to care for, it’s also a very common ingredient, meaning your plant could potentially get a lot of use. The catch to growing parsley is that it’s seeds can be tough to sprout, and it can take a couple weeks to see results. Buying an established plant is easier, as they don’t need a lot of light or maintenance.
4. Oregano
Another popular ingredient, an oregano plant is a great addition to a kitchen garden. All types of oregano plants need six to eight hours of sunlight per day. A sunny window sill is a great spot if you want to keep your herbs indoors, but it may do better outdoors if your home doesn’t get enough natural light.
5. Thyme
Thyme also needs six to eight hours of sunlight each day, making it a good friend for your oregano! This herb is easy to grow from cuttings or by dividing a larger plant into smaller ones and repotting them.
6. Rosemary
This herb thrives in hot, dry areas, so be careful not to overwater it. It does need a lot of sunlight—six to eight hours each day—so place it someplace warm and sunny. If you place your rosemary plant outside to get enough sunlight, remember to protect it from frost and cold. Bringing it inside during winter could help.
Growing tips
Now that you’ve picked some herbs to start your mini garden, you’re almost ready to start planting. Before you begin potting, watering and clipping, here are a few tips to help your herbs thrive:
- Pick the perfect pot. Choosing the right home for your plant is important! Containers should have small holes in the bottom so excess water can properly drain (this helps them get the right amount of water and prevents fungus from growing). A pot sized a bit larger than your plant needs will give it room to grow, and you won’t need to repot it so soon.
- Give your plants some room. Planting everything in one container can prevent growth, especially as roots begin to spread out. Put each herb in its own pot to give them the best chance to thrive.
- Feed them. Herbs get hungry, and the right soil can help. Use fresh potting soil, rather than stuff you can find outside. Give them fertilizer once every couple months, but be sure to pick a variety that promotes leaf growth (instead of ones that are for blooms). Some plants, like rosemary and thyme, like crushed up eggshells too!
- Water your plants right. Your other household plants might love water, but herbs tend to do better with a bit less. Water them at the base and let the soil dry before watering again. Over time, you’ll start to learn each plant’s individual needs by paying attention to their leaves. If they start to turn yellow, the plant has been over-watered.
With these tips and a little luck, you could have herbs at your fingertips. Your cooking could be tastier and your shopping list a little shorter. Plus, you could enjoy fresh ingredients and homey scents all year round!
Have a green thumb and a precious pet? Some plants don’t mix with our furry friends.
About Author: Momentum Life is a leading provider of Life insurance and Funeral insurance in New Zealand.
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