Why Grow Your Own Herbs? The Case Against Supermarket Herbs

Walk down the produce aisle and you'll see small plastic clamshells of fresh herbs selling for $3-5 each. Yet herbs are among the easiest, most rewarding plants to grow—many are drought-tolerant, fragrant, and perfectly suited to containers or small garden beds.

Planning Your Herb Garden

A 200-400 square foot plot accommodates a generous herb garden. Sketch your design on graph paper first, noting mature plant diameters and allowing at least 12 inches between plants for maintenance access.

Must-Grow Herbs for Your Garden

Lavender

The heavenly fragrance of blooming lavender is reason enough to grow it. Harvest stems for scented sachets—tuck them in drawers and closets, or give as gifts. Plant as much as space allows.

The Classic Quartet: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme

• Parsley: Brightens potato salad, pasta, and serves as a beautiful garnish
• Sage: Dry leaves for stuffing, poultry, and rich dishes
• Rosemary & Thyme: Essential for roasting lamb, poultry, and vegetables

Tarragon

Elevates soups, vegetables, tuna, egg dishes, pasta, and green salads. A must for classic béarnaise sauce.

Dill

If you pickle vegetables or make flavored vinegars, you need fresh dill. Dried dill weed is cheap, but full dill stalks—essential for pickling—are expensive or unavailable commercially.

Chives: The Single Most Useful Herb

If I could grow only one herb, it would be chives. Always fresh, never limp like store-bought green onions. Their subtle onion flavor perfects baked potatoes, salads, and countless dishes.

Herbs to Approach with Caution

Cilantro: The Bolting Challenge

Cilantro bolts (flowers and sets seed) rapidly in warm weather. Commercial growers have secrets home gardeners don't. Pro tip: Store store-bought cilantro in a glass of water, covered with its original plastic bag—it stays crisp for two weeks in the refrigerator.

Mint: The Garden Thug

Mint's aggressive roots will overtake your garden. Even herbicide doesn't stop it permanently. Solution: Grow mint in containers only, and elevate pots occasionally to prevent roots escaping through drainage holes. Pineapple mint is especially delightful for tea and garnish.

The Bottom Line

For the cost of a few seed packets, you'll have fresh, potent herbs at your fingertips all season—plus the satisfaction of growing them yourself.