Fresh herbs can truly transform any meal into something so much more. And the best part is that you can create a mini-herb garden right in your kitchen so you don’t even have to walk to the backyard to spice up your signature dishes!
All you need is a windowsill with plenty of light and you are ready to get started. Just follow these three simple steps and pretty soon, you will be garnishing your foods with fresh herbs.
STEP ONE: Decide
First choose what flavors you like. Basil, cilantro, dill, oregano and sage, as well as Debbie’s favorites, rosemary and thyme, all do well in a window setting. Plus, they all grow wonderfully when you start from seeds or purchase small plants so you can do what makes you feel most comfortable. Next, pick out individual pots for each herb. You can opt for a traditional pot or a pretty ceramic design, just be sure there are drainage holes and waterproof saucers.
STEP TWO: Plant
Fill containers with a potting mix, or a combination of seed-starting soil and potting soil. Be sure to avoid garden soil, it can be too heavy and may contain disease organisms. If starting with seeds, sow them according to the packet to determine the planting depth. If using plants, opt for compact or dwarf varieties to best fit your space,
STEP THREE: Care
Place your garden in a sunny window, south-facing whenever possible. And remember to steer leaves away from cold windows to prevent breakage. Water each day, keeping the soil moist, but not soggy, and drain saucers after watering. Fertilize every two weeks with a half-strength solution of an all-purpose fertilizer. Pinch back branching plants, like basil, so they stay shrubby vs. leggy.
BONUS TIP: Garden to Table-Scape
Put a new twist on dining alfresco by repurposing your plants as a centerpiece. Run your herb garden up the middle of your table or cluster them in the middle, then as guests sit down to eat, you can invite them to infuse their meals with fresh herbs!
Once you are reaping the delicious benefits of this simple garden, add these herbs to some new dishes from Debbie’s latest cookbook, Debbie Macomber’s Table.
23 Comments
louise
May 19, 2018 at 11:08 pmi love it..i have rosemary up in the front..When you water it, the smell just fills your senses..
Darlene Rose
May 22, 2018 at 2:49 pmWe love doing pots of fresh herbs. W usually keep them in the kitchen window! Right now we have one Myler lemon growing on our small tree in a pot!
Lyn Stice
May 22, 2018 at 3:07 pmI don’t get a lot of light in my Kitchen window will have to try somewhere else. Thanks for the tips.
Courtney Johnson
May 22, 2018 at 3:12 pmI love this post! Encouraging people to grow herbs is such a great stress reliever, and it’s so wonderful to have fresh herbs on hand for cooking.
Pam Link
May 22, 2018 at 3:21 pmI have an herb garden by my front steps. I love to water them because the smell is so wonderful! (especially the rosemary!
catherine ondek
May 22, 2018 at 5:12 pmI love the herb garden ideas. I’m doing my first herb garden. I’m very excited about this. Thank you.
Donna L. Keller
May 22, 2018 at 5:40 pmLove all of yours books that I have read so far, looking forward to reading more of them.
Colleen Dinovo
May 22, 2018 at 5:55 pmUsed to do a big herb garden — since I have had seven strokes; now I am limited to pot gardening LOVE growing herbs – beautiful and useful!!
Janice
May 22, 2018 at 5:58 pmI love my herb garden, your ideas are great.
Sandy
May 22, 2018 at 6:35 pmThank you for the easy instructions; I never had a herb garden and know I am going to use your instructions and hopefully have fresh herbs. Thank you again! Sandy
Barb H
May 22, 2018 at 6:45 pmI love the idea of these plant tags
AnnaRingland
May 22, 2018 at 7:34 pmBeautiful!
Marilyn Linton
May 22, 2018 at 7:57 pmLove your decorating and especially all your books.
MO
May 23, 2018 at 1:52 amNew to Herb growing, what is pinching?
Also any thing we can plant near basil so the wooded critters leave it alone.
I tried getting then up off the ground but something keeps eating them.
MO
Carol
May 23, 2018 at 4:55 amLove gardening, it is so therapeutic and I love the critters that enjoy it also!!
Maryann Shaker
May 23, 2018 at 11:35 amThanks for the ideas to grow our own herbs in a sunny window area of our homes!
Christine Kellogg
May 23, 2018 at 8:20 pmLoved seeing how you put together your herb gardens—I do that too!!!! Only yours a a bit more beautiful!!!
Denise Childs
May 23, 2018 at 11:06 pmThanks for the great tips on growing your own herbs. Just choosing three to start is a great idea. Since we have to deal with allergies of blooming flowers, growing fresh herbs is a wonderful compromise: I get the benefit of growing live plants and my family get the benefit of the wonderful flavors, sun-kissed and grown with love. We get plenty of sunshine in Albuquerque, now I just need to get to the store for the pots, potting mix and plants. You’re the best!
Donna Horsfall
May 23, 2018 at 11:07 pmGreat idea
Mary
May 24, 2018 at 5:18 pmThis makes it sound so easy! I don’t have a kitchen that gets sunlight though and last time I tried to grow fresh herbs they all died! I’ve been trying to get my brother to grow some cause he has a green thumb and (he’s a chef)but he doesn’t show much interest! I’ll try again since this article inspired me!
Terri Z
May 24, 2018 at 7:56 pmThe clothespins are a great idea. I could also write the herb name on the clothespin.
Shona Douglas-Coulthard.
May 26, 2018 at 3:38 amWe are starting some herbs indoors. One of my favourites are parsley. Thank you for your books and ideas.
Salus Defense Structured Silver
May 30, 2018 at 11:52 amI enjoy what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and exposure!
Keep up the terrific works guys