Seven Herbs You Can Grow to Spice Up Your Meals

Whether you’re a master chef or barely know your way around the kitchen, you’re probably at least somewhat familiar with the fact that most recipes require quite a few different herbs to really elevate the meal. But constantly going to the grocery store to pick up herbs for each recipe is a bit time consuming and expensive.

So instead of buying your herbs, consider growing some right at home in your backyard! These are some of the top herbs you can easily grow in a container in your yard.

Basil

Basil is a staple in many recipes and can give any meal a fresh taste. Better yet, it’s super easy to grow in a pot or container. Basil thrives in sunshine, but be sure to keep the soil well-drained to ensure you get a good harvest. Additionally, you’ll want to trim it often and pinch off any buds that appear. Once the plant starts to flower, the flavor of the leaves declines.

Greek Oregano

The next time you’re making a homemade pizza in your kitchen, be sure to toss some Greek oregano on there! This herb is packed with flavor, so it’s the perfect topping for a dish and it’s even great in homemade vinaigrettes and marinades. Like basil, Greek oregano does best in dry soil, and you’ll want to trim the leaves often to encourage new growth.

Rosemary

Most chicken recipes you’ll find require either fresh or dried rosemary. But don’t settle for the stuff you find at the store—grow this herb in your fenced-in backyard. This herb thrives outside, but you can even grow rosemary indoors next to a window. Be sure to give your rosemary plenty of moisture, but avoid drenching the soil.

Thyme

Luckily for those without a green thumb, thyme is about as low-maintenance as it gets when it comes to container herbs. Thyme is drought-resistant, so it requires very little water. For best results, grow your thyme in direct sunlight and place it in the front of your container garden so the leaves can hang over the edge.

Mint

If you’re making cocktails or fruit salad at your next grill out, consider tossing some mint in there! There are many different types of mint, like peppermint, mojito mint, strawberry mint, and spearmint. All the varieties prefer rich soil and ample moisture, and they all grow quickly. In fact, they can quickly overtake your container garden if you’re not careful! We recommend planting any mint in a separate pot so that it doesn’t overtake all of your other herbs.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a mint cousin. So it comes as no surprise that it can overtake a pot and rob other herbs of essential nutrients. While you’ll need to grow lemon balm in a separate pot, the flavors are well worth the slight inconvenience! Lemon balm leaves smell and taste just like lemons (hence the name), so they’re perfect in fruit salads, marinades, tea, and lemonade.

Parsley

If you’re looking for an herb you can grow alongside other flowers and plants in your garden, look no further than parsley. The unique leaf texture makes any garden look better, and the taste of fresh parsley elevates any recipe you’re making in your kitchen. Parsley is another herb that requires plenty of moisture, and while it prefers direct sunlight, it can take some shade.

Tips for Growing Container Herbs

Most of the herbs we touched on above will grow easily in pretty much any container. But for best results, ensure your pots provide plenty of drainage so that the roots don’t get too soaked. Additionally, find a pot that suits the size of the herbs you’re trying to grow. Pots that are too big or too small just won’t do.

Once you’ve found your pots, fill them with high-quality potting mix. Standard garden soil quickly compacts in pots, which only hurts the drainage process. A combination of potting soil and aged compost is also a viable option if you’re already in the habit of composting.

The container herbs we covered in this post require direct sunlight, which is great for our Southwest climate. But be sure to read up on your herbs’ sunlight and watering requirements, or else you’ll be disappointed with the results! Regardless of what herbs you grow, they all need to be harvested regularly to encourage fresh growth. Plus, you’ll always have fresh ingredients on hand when you routinely snip your herbs.

All herbs should be fed a liquid fertilizer every few weeks. Check out your local nursery to find a fertilizer that’s suitable for edibles. You should also consider adding a slow-release organic product to the potting mix at planting time to help your herbs get off to a fast start.

Elevate Your Meals at Christopher Todd Communities!

By growing these container herbs and using them in your recipes, you’re on your way to becoming an at-home Master Chef. But if you really want to take your cooking to the next level, you need to live in a rental home at Christopher Todd Communities.

Our single-family homes have spacious kitchens complete with stainless steel appliances that any professional chef would love. Better yet, every home has a fenced-in backyard that’s ideal for growing all sorts of container herbs and potted plants.

Find a rental home you’ll love and discover A New Way to Live® today by contacting our team at Christopher Todd Communities! In addition to all of the at-home comforts afforded by horizontal living, we offer resort-style amenities like swimming pools, fitness centers, yoga studios, and much more.