D.I.Y Herb Garden

February 9, 2024

Many of us have bunkered down at home and are not getting out to visit the Waterford Kitchen Garden as often as usual, so we have put together a guide which will have you growing a thriving herb garden at home!

You don’t need a green thumb or a lot of space to grow your own herbs, all you need is a well-lit windowsill or small backyard to take your culinary feats to the next level.

No matter which herbs you choose to grow, follow our D.I.Y herb garden guide and you’ll be picking fresh produce in no time!

You can choose to grow your herbs in pots or in a garden bed, for convenience many people ensure their herbs are located close to the kitchen. According to the Gardening Australia Guide, the most used herbs are basil, chives, parsley, mint and rosemary.

BASIL

Height: grows to 40cm tall

Light requirements: prefers full sun but will tolerate part shade

Where to plant: great border plant in garden beds and grows well in pots, plant 20cm apart

Best time to plant: spring

Kitchen uses: freshly picked or dried, perfect for Italian food

CHIVES

Height: 20-30cm tall

Light requirements: grows well in sun or semi-shade

Where to plant: perfect for pots

Best time to plant: spring and summer

Kitchen uses: best used fresh in salads, soups and with eggs

PARSLEY

Height: 30cm tall

Light requirements: sun or part shade

Where to plant: in the garden or larger pots

Best time to plant: spring, summer or early autumn

Kitchen uses: fresh or dried, often used as a garnish

MINT

Height: low growing, scrambling plant

Light requirements: shade

Where to plant: best grown in a pot to help control the spread

Best time to plant: any time of year

Kitchen uses: meat dishes, mint sauce and desserts

ROSEMARY

Height: 60-150cm tall

Light requirements: sun or part shade

Where to plant: pots with drainage

Best time to plant: spring, summer or early autumn

Kitchen uses: fresh or dried, pairs well with lamb and chicken

CARE TIPS – FOR HAPPY HERBS:

• When harvesting your herbs, cut them where the stem meets the main plant. This will ensure the plant can continue to grow and will encourage new shoots.
• You should water your herbs weekly and more often in hotter months. A good way to know if your herbs need water is by checking the soil, if it feels dry it’s probably thirsty.

For more information on the best way to grow each of the herbs above follow this link to the Gardening Australia Guide website.

We can’t wait to see what you grow, make sure you share your Waterford herb gardening pictures with us on Facebook!