We all know that eating a lot of fresh produce is good for you as a color 010578, but many of us struggle to make such an eating plan work. Ever wonder how the pros get it done? It’s all in the tools they use! Check out our list of 10 key tactics the pros use for healthy herbs and learn how you can too.
1. Set up a garden
They may not be the only herb you are growing, but basil is usually a popular choice for many home gardeners because it is easy to grow, lasts longer than most herbs and it can be used in so many ways. You can plant your basil in a pot on your windowsill or put it directly in the ground outside. To enjoy fresh herbs at every meal, you can also add other herbs like cilantro, mint and oregano to your garden.
2. Buy from a green grocer
Herbs are probably more expensive when purchased at the grocery store than when purchased from a green grocer. If you want to save money and get variety for your recipes, buying from local greengrocers can be ideal. Look at the back of the produce department (if they have one) to find out what is in season and buy accordingly.
3. Decide on a type of herb
There are many different types of plants that fall under the category of herbs, but you need to decide which ones you would like to grow in your garden so that you can focus on only a few varieties. Some herb combinations are better than others, depending on your personal taste and cooking style, such as rosemary with tomatoes. On a side note, growing thyme helps conserve wild gardens since thyme grows prolifically by itself.
4 . Make sure your herbs are happy
If you have ever tried growing herbs in the same soil that was used for a vegetable garden, you probably know how frustrating it can be to get them to grow big and healthy. Create an herb garden bed that is at least twice as wide and twice as high as the size of your herbs. In addition to giving room for air circulation, this allows more sunlight in. Choosing a sunny spot is also important so that your herbs will thrive and not suffer from a lack of sunlight. You don’t want them to dangle their leaves in the shade the way they would when you grow mint for tea or oregano for pasta sauces.
5 . Cut your herbs exact size
Different herbs require different amounts of soil and water. For example, basil requires more space than the tiny mint or garlic. We recommend buying organic herbs from a greengrocer because if you buy from other sources, look for a “pinch” of herbs (or only one herb) per plant so there is no waste.
6 . Know what nutrients to add to your soil
Herbs need a special type of food to grow well; it is called compost and we will do an extensive article on that in the future. If you don’t already have compost, buy it from greengrocers because they will have all the ingredients needed for rich healthy soil.
7 . Monitor your herbs
Harvesting the herbs you have grown will not only help you make a delicious meal, but it will also encourage healthy growth. You can either cut the herbs in bunches or put them in a basket. If you choose to cut them, make sure to cut them before 10am and after 4pm because this is when they receive the most light. If you choose to put your herbs in baskets, be sure to keep them damp at all times. If they dry out even slightly, they will wither and die.
8 . Give your plants some attention
Environmentally speaking, it is best to give your plants as much natural sunlight as possible. However, if you are a busy individual you may find it difficult to maintain your herbs in a perfect way. You can make your herb garden easy by keeping them close to the house and placing some of the herbs in a basket that can be viewed from inside. Also, try not to take too much time away from your herb garden because it will become less healthy and less potent over time.
9 . Plant herbs according to the season
Using modern science, herbal experts have predicted which herbs should be planted based on growing conditions, climate and other factors such as sunlight hours. For instance, in the northern hemisphere, basil grows best during the summer months while oregano and other herbs thrive in colder temperatures. In the southern hemisphere, herbs such as rosemary need to be planted during winter while plants like thyme do well during the summer since it gets very hot.
10 . Enjoy!
These last two tactics are crucial if you want to eat more herbs. First, try to try different recipes with your herbs and remember that many Italian dishes focus on basil and oregano which are not only delicious together but also good for you. If you want to eat more herbs, try growing them in your own herb garden. And if you want to use herbs as often as possible, learn how to grow herbs in containers.
