By Maggie, gardener and blogger, From Soil to Soul
Herbs are one of the very first things I get to harvest in early Spring from my Zone 3 Canadian Prairies garden. And many of the herbs in my garden continue producing all season long too!
But not only is it the early and prolific harvests that make herbs an amazing addition to the garden. It’s also that they’re incredibly easy to grow! Not to mention, they can elevate any dish. For anyone managing kidney disease or watching their sodium intake, fresh herbs are an excellent way to add bold flavor to meals without relying on salt or high-sodium seasonings.
So let me ease your mind about growing (and cooking with) herbs.
As a garden blogger, here are my top 5 herb tips:
Tip 1: Direct sow your herb seeds instead of buying started plants.
While it’s always fun to browse through a garden centre, don’t waste your money on the started herb plants! You’ll be able to grow more herbs for less and have more resilient plants if you start your own seeds instead.
Tip 2: Plant different herbs at different times of the gardening season.
Not all herbs have the same growing habits. For example, basil loves the heat and thrives in July and August. Whereas cilantro is a cool-season herb and prefers to be planted in the Spring and Fall.
Tip 3: Grow what you love to eat!
One of the best parts about food gardening is bringing the harvest back to the kitchen. There are so many herbs you can grow in Canada. But you’ll enjoy your garden more if you choose to grow what you already cook with. Of course, experimenting with a few new-to-you herbs is ok too!
Tip 4: Harvest herbs by using kitchen scissors or sharp pruning shears.
Keep your herb plants healthy and robust by using a clean, sharp tool to harvest. Avoid ripping off leaves or pinching them with your fingers. While it may be convenient, it can stress your herbs and lead to disease.
Tip 5: Enjoy your garden herbs fresh while also preserving some for the Winter.
Blend your fresh herbs in dips and salad dressings. Finely chop them and sprinkle on soups and salad. Or sautée into your favourite dish. But be sure to also save some herbs to enjoy in the off season. Dehydrating herbs is a great way to have shelf staple spices in your pantry. You can also easily freeze most h