This article is not about what is the best herbs to grow for kitchen herb gardens. This article is not about which herb will be best for cooking. This article is not about which herb is best to use as a spice, or which herb is best for brewing teas. This article is not even about what the best herbs to grow are for potpourri. This article is not even about which herbs should be planted in your kitchen window. This article is all about how to best grow oregano in every growing season, so you can enjoy the aroma all season long!
In order to be successful growing herbs in pots, you must take the temperature, moisture and sunlight of the plants into consideration. All three factors affect the growth of plants. The soil, weather, and sunlight are great contributors to the health and growth of plants. This is no where to dive into how to best grow oregano from beginning to end. However, lots of very detailed herb growing articles have already been written. Plus, the purpose today is to get you more familiar with the wonderful world of medicinal herbs, share tips for using them in your kitchen, and overall get pumped about learning more about growing herbs in every growing season!
Sunlight is the most important factor for any type of herb, particularly when it comes to herbs that will be grown for consumption. Herbs such as basil, mint, sage, parsley, oregano, and thyme require the highest levels of sunlight. And herbs such as Rosemary, basil, sage, chives, dill, and tarragon do well in low light conditions as well. Herbs that are best to grow indoors will typically need six hours or more of direct sunlight each day.
Dehydration or water logging is a concern for anyone who likes to garden in containers. Basil, mint, and cilantro are the most delicate of all herbs and should be kept in an area of high humidity or a humidifier if you live in an area that has hard winters. If you do not live in an area where hard winters are a common feature, do not despair. You can still grow basil, mint, and cilantro by regularly (twice weekly, preferably) giving them small amounts of water (not too much). Keep a water pouches on hand to mist the plants whenever there is a lot of rain in the area.
If you are growing culinary herbs for use in your kitchen, there are two considerations that are just as important as sunlight and humidity. First, herbs will not grow as quickly without the right conditions, and second, they need their soil, which is often the source of the nutrients that they need to thrive. Mint, Rosemary, oregano, parsley, and basil all can be grown in containers, although you may have to adjust their growing directions to take advantage of the best growing conditions that exist in your area. Mint, Rosemary, and oregano are best grown in full sun, but basil and cilantro can also be grown in low light. Parsley, chives, and basil can also be grown in the shade since they require minimal daily watering.
When it comes to potting herbs, many gardeners are intimidated because there are so many options available. There are large rectangular pots, square containers, plastic baskets, and round holes or tubs. Tubs and holes look best when they are tightly packed together, with plenty of room at the bottom for moisture to evaporate, but some plants like fennel and coriander do better when they are spread out on spouts in rows. Herbs can even be planted in small planters with perforated holes, allowing moisture to evaporate but preventing roots from breaking down. Keep in mind that some plants, such as oregano, need a lot of sunlight, while others, like garlic chives, will do well in shaded areas.
One final consideration is whether to use a single potting mix, or several. The first step of planning your herb garden is to determine whether you will be growing herbs indoors or outdoors. Both types require the same basic growing conditions, but growing herbs indoors can often yield spectacular results if you know what you are doing. Herbs can be as beautiful and fragrant as they can be in your culinary herbs indoor garden, if you follow the right growing techniques.
If you want to avoid the mess and difficulty of preparing and planting most culinary herbs (especially Rosemary, mint, and thyme), then an indoor garden is an excellent option. Once you’ve decided what herbs you will be growing, you can choose from hundreds of different plants and pots. You can find kits for growing herbs like Rosemary, mint, thyme, basil, and others. Many people start with small containers (pedal-type) and then add more as they see their gardens growing.