Lifestyle

3 Steps to Your Own Herb Garden

April 27, 2018

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

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23 Comments

  • Reply
    louise
    May 19, 2018 at 11:08 pm

    i love it..i have rosemary up in the front..When you water it, the smell just fills your senses..

  • Reply
    Darlene Rose
    May 22, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    We 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!

  • Reply
    Lyn Stice
    May 22, 2018 at 3:07 pm

    I don’t get a lot of light in my Kitchen window will have to try somewhere else. Thanks for the tips.

  • Reply
    Courtney Johnson
    May 22, 2018 at 3:12 pm

    I 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.

  • Reply
    Pam Link
    May 22, 2018 at 3:21 pm

    I have an herb garden by my front steps. I love to water them because the smell is so wonderful! (especially the rosemary!

  • Reply
    catherine ondek
    May 22, 2018 at 5:12 pm

    I love the herb garden ideas. I’m doing my first herb garden. I’m very excited about this. Thank you.

  • Reply
    Donna L. Keller
    May 22, 2018 at 5:40 pm

    Love all of yours books that I have read so far, looking forward to reading more of them.

  • Reply
    Colleen Dinovo
    May 22, 2018 at 5:55 pm

    Used 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!!

  • Reply
    Janice
    May 22, 2018 at 5:58 pm

    I love my herb garden, your ideas are great.

  • Reply
    Sandy
    May 22, 2018 at 6:35 pm

    Thank 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

  • Reply
    Barb H
    May 22, 2018 at 6:45 pm

    I love the idea of these plant tags

  • Reply
    AnnaRingland
    May 22, 2018 at 7:34 pm

    Beautiful!

  • Reply
    Marilyn Linton
    May 22, 2018 at 7:57 pm

    Love your decorating and especially all your books.

  • Reply
    MO
    May 23, 2018 at 1:52 am

    New 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

  • Reply
    Carol
    May 23, 2018 at 4:55 am

    Love gardening, it is so therapeutic and I love the critters that enjoy it also!!

  • Reply
    Maryann Shaker
    May 23, 2018 at 11:35 am

    Thanks for the ideas to grow our own herbs in a sunny window area of our homes!

  • Reply
    Christine Kellogg
    May 23, 2018 at 8:20 pm

    Loved seeing how you put together your herb gardens—I do that too!!!! Only yours a a bit more beautiful!!!

  • Reply
    Denise Childs
    May 23, 2018 at 11:06 pm

    Thanks 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!

  • Reply
    Donna Horsfall
    May 23, 2018 at 11:07 pm

    Great idea

  • Reply
    Mary
    May 24, 2018 at 5:18 pm

    This 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!

  • Reply
    Terri Z
    May 24, 2018 at 7:56 pm

    The clothespins are a great idea. I could also write the herb name on the clothespin.

  • Reply
    Shona Douglas-Coulthard.
    May 26, 2018 at 3:38 am

    We are starting some herbs indoors. One of my favourites are parsley. Thank you for your books and ideas.

  • Reply
    Salus Defense Structured Silver
    May 30, 2018 at 11:52 am

    I enjoy what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and exposure!
    Keep up the terrific works guys

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