Whether an amateur cook who enjoys experimenting with recipes or an accomplished chef, most home cooks agree that fresh herbs bring a more vibrant, savory taste to dishes.
Unlike dried herbs that lose their flavor over time, fresh herbs from your kitchen herb garden are at the peak of perfection.
While planting a kitchen herb garden may seem like a difficult task, you will find that it is actually surprisingly easy..
The first step in planting your kitchen herb garden is to decide the type of garden that best fits your needs.
If you have ample space, planting a garden outdoors near the kitchen for easy access may be the best option.
For those with less space, a potted garden will allow you to have herbs nearby.
However, you will be limited to the herbs that grow well in pots and the amount of space you have available for the pots.
Keep in mind that whatever type of garden you choose, you need to be sure the space has adequate sunlight for growth.
Second, decide which herbs you want.
When selecting herbs for your kitchen herb garden, consider the herbs you use frequently in your cooking.
Parsley, thyme, rosemary, basil, chives and sage are common choices.
Finally, begin planting.
While most herbs can be started from seeds, if you're new to gardening, you may find it easier to begin with young plants purchased from a nursery.
Take care to set plants apart to allow them room to grow.
Taller plants or ones prone to climb should be placed at the back of the garden.
It's also a good idea to separate perennials from annuals to make it easier to replant when necessary.
If planting in pots, you will want to remove the plant from the pot it came in and replant in a larger pot to allow for growth.
Pots should have drainage holes in the bottom.
While there are a variety of options for soil, soil-less potting mix is a good choice as it drains well.
Feed if needed.
While this may not be required for outdoor kitchen herb gardens, indoor gardens sometimes need a little extra boost for optimum growth.
However, be careful to limit feeding to only what is necessary.
Herbs that are growing will concentrate flavor and scent if conditions are slightly lean.
Monitor herbs to determine when they need water.
Outdoor plants generally do well in this as they can drain away excess water, but indoor ones need more care.
A finger test can help you see how dry your plant is.
If soil is dry to one inch, water, but be careful not to overdo it.
Over-watering can lead to root rot.
Before long, your plants will begin to mature and you can begin to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Leaves can be snipped as needed.
Take care not to remove more than a third of the plant at one time as this can slow regrowth.