solvida
7 Edible Herbs to Plant in Your Garden
- , Plants
There is something immensely satisfying about growing something in your garden that you bring to the table and eat. While not every homeowner will be an enthusiastic fruit and vegetable gardener, everyone can grow edible herbs. All you need is a few pots to start an container garden or a small patch of garden and sunlight. In this article, you’ll discover our top 7 edible herbs to plant in your garden this year: Basil, Chives, Cilantro, Garden Sage, Oregano, Rosemary, and Thyme.
Table of Contents
Basil
Used almost exclusively in Italian cooking, Basil can be harvested for tomato sauces, pesto, or applied directly to authentic pizza. It’s a warm-season annual and should only be planted once the final freeze of our North Texas winter has passed. Basil produces beautiful small white or purple flowers. These flower buds will prevent the stems and leaves from growing, so pinching the flowers off will encourage Basil to grow. Most Basil varieties grow to be between 2 and 3 feet tall if you can keep from picking it for that long.
Chives
A relative of the onion, Chives are often used sprinkled over salads and potatoes. Chives grow in small clumping blades and stay relatively short, growing up to only 12 inches tall. Chives also produce rounded lavender-colored blooms. This makes Chives a great option for a border plant in your garden. Plan to prune your Chives frequently, as it will promote growth and stronger leaves.
Cilantro
A classic herb found in many Mexican dishes, including salsa. The Cilantro plant is a very fast-growing, cool-season annual. Plant Cilantro in a very sunny location and watch it grow to a mature height of 24 inches. However, you can start to harvest the Cilantro leaves as soon as it reaches approximately 7 inches in height. Cilantro prefers well-drained soil, so grow it in a pot unless your garden bed drains well.
Garden Sage
Most often used to enhance the flavor of both poultry and pork, Garden Sage grows very easily in Texas. While most varieties of Sage are edible, there are a few that are grown for ornamental interest only, so make sure you are planting and harvesting an edible Garden Sage. Garden Sage has grayish-green leaves and grows to between 2-3 feet in height and width, making for an attractive plant within your garden bed. Garden Sage is a perennial plant that will return each year. However, after about 4 years, you should plan to replace your Garden Sage as the plant tends to get very woody.
Oregano
Typically associated with Italian cooking, Oregano is most often a perennial plant with green and sometimes golden foliage. Oregano can grow to over 2 feet tall and spreads nicely. This growth habit is why you will often see Oregano planted as a groundcover in mixed herb gardens. Oregano produces small blooms, which can be white, pink, or light purple, depending on the variety. Oregano leaves can be harvested frequently. However, as with most herbs that are harvested for the flavor of the leaves, only harvest the leaves when the herb is not in bloom.
Rosemary
Used primarily in Mediterranean recipes, Rosemary is widely used for cooking in addition to being installed as an ornamental plant in landscapes all around North Texas. The Rosemary plant has mosquito-repelling properties as well. Some varieties of Rosemary remain small and are best suited for mixed herb planting. However, other varieties of Rosemary grow in shrub form and are a reliable evergreen shrub in garden beds, growing up to 4-5 feet tall and wide. Rosemary produces bluish-green leaves and grows small purple flowers in late winter and early spring. Plant all varieties of Rosemary in full sun with excellent drainage.
Thyme
Thyme is a universal herb. This perennial plant is used to season meats, sauces, soups, and even desserts. Thyme can be found in many forms and varieties. Common Thyme grows low and shrubby, reaching 12 inches in height, while most other varieties grow low to the ground and spread. Thyme produces many flowers in the spring and summer months. One of the most interesting ways to use Thyme in landscaping is to plant it between stepping stones in a garden pathway, like a mossy groundcover plant. Thyme is hardy enough to survive light foot traffic and releases an incredible fragrance when stepped on. As with almost all herbs, Thyme does best in full sun and requires excellent drainage.