A Few Favorite Things - Herb Container Garden
 Create an easy herb container garden right outside your door to bring tons of flavor to your dishes.
I’m a sucker for fresh herbs. Having them on hand from summer through fall is a great way to save money while also adding tons of flavor to your dishes. I love to place a container right outside my kitchen door so I can easily grab what I need for a recipe and easily care for them.Â
Why You'll Love Them
- They boost the flavor of your dishes
- They make a great garnish for finishing off your dish, especially when entertaining
- They have some nutritional value
- Can be used in grilling, roasting, soups and stews
- You can create mini floral arrangement for summer tablescapes, or add them to floral bouquets
- Tie them together to form a bouquet garni, for soups and stews
- Dry them for use in the winter and save moneyÂ
Which Herbs To Plant
You want to plant the herbs you love the most and will use in your cooking regularly. Here are some to consider:
Thyme
Parsley
Basil
Mint
Rosemary
Thyme
French or English thyme are the most common varieties for cooking. There are other variations such as lemon thyme, but I tend to stay with the basics. It has small leaves, a woody stem, and an earthy taste. You use it in soups, stews, dressings and also as a garnish to finish off a dish. Thyme can also be used in tea, think a slice of lemon, a sprig of thyme and a touch of honey. I love to add thyme to carrots like in this recipe  Maple Roasted Carrots . Here is more info on thyme if you are interested.
Parsley
There are two types of parsley flat leaf and curly. I believe flat leaf is more versatile and use it regularly in cooking. I find that curly parsley is more often used as a garnish. Parsley is also great in soups, stews, salads and sprinkled over a dish once it’s ready to be served for a flavor boost. I love using fresh chopped parsley on Roasted Chickpeas Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. Here is more info on parsley if you are interested.
Basil
Basil is a favorite summer herb, think pesto, caprese salads, fresh pasta sauce. Generally sweet basil or Genovese Basil are the common varieties, however there are many different ones if you are interested in exploring. One plant is generally enough unless you are looking to make pesto, then you will need several. I love to make pesto and freeze it so I can taste summer all winter long. A favorite recipe for using basil is Prosciutto and Pesto Grilled Cheese. Here is more info on basil if you are interested.
Mint
Consider planting mint. If you love mixed cocktails or mocktails then mint is a great herb to have on hand. It’s also great to flavor your water, think orange or lemon slice with a sprig of mint. Mint is also used in many salads think tabouli, or fruit salad. Since it grows profusely, it should always be planted in a separate container. There are a few types of mint but spearmint and peppermint are the most commonly found. Here’s more information on mint.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a hearty herb, with a tough wood like stem. If your’re lucky you can plant it and it will come back the following year as it’s a perennial.
I tend to use rosemary mostly in the fall and winter for soups and stews. However, it is great to use in grilling marinades and also as a skewer for meats and veggies in the summer. Another great idea is to throw it into your fire pit for a nice aroma. Here is more information on Rosemary.
Other Herbs To Consider
Cilantro – Great to plant if you love Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern or Asian cuisine just to name a few.
Chives – Chives are great if you like to have a slight onion taste to your food, also makes a great garnish.
Oregano – Fresh oregano is a wonderful surprise on top of pizza and flatbreads but you can also plant it to dry it.Â
Where To Buy Herbs
Herbs are easily found in supermarkets and garden centers. This makes it easy for planting once you have your other supplies.
If you are feeling adventurous you can plant from seed. The easiest herbs to do that that with are basil and parsley. You simply sprinkle them onto the soil and water.
What Type of Container To Use
Container preference depends on how many plants you plan to plant. Also, you may want to consider containers that fit your lifestyle and aesthetic. When considering containers, you can use one large container or several smaller ones for each plant or a combination of both. Small containers and terracotta containers need more frequent watering so keep that in mind. In addition, make sure your container has drainage holes. It’s important to not let the plants sit in water. I like to use these self-watering containers from Target, they come in many sizes, are lightweight and are great if you travel and can’t water as regularly. Here is an article to help you if you have trouble deciding on size or type of container .
What Type Of Soil To Use
We are keeping this easy and basic ( I am not a professional gardener by any means) so you can just use some regular potting soil or compost if you have that. While I know there are many different things you can do or add to your soil, I find I have success with just basic miracle-grow soil you can find anywhere. If you’re lucky and can find organic potting soil for veggies and herbs you can use that.Â
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