5 Easy to Grow Herbs for the Backyard Gardener

When I first started gardening, herbs were a little overwhelming to me. The herbs I remembered my family using came in little canisters with red lids. As a brand-new gardener, I wanted to try to grow herbs for a couple of reasons. One, fresh is always best – right? And two, I had heard several herbs make great companion plants for common backyard vegetables. At this point in my gardening journey, I never started anything from seed and bought everything from the local big box hardware store in town. Now, I try to start seeds on my own, but if I am unable to, I will shop at a local plant nursery. Shopping local is usually cheaper when it comes to plants, and you are helping someone in your community. So, back to my picking out herbs adventure at the big box store.

Pulling up to the garden center, I thought this would be easy. I’d be in and out in about twenty minutes and back home to plant my herbs. I was mistaken. I didn’t realize there were so many herbs to choose from! Not just mint – but spearmint, peppermint, sweet mint, chocolate mint, pineapple mint, catmint, and more! Now you see where the overwhelm came from. Looking back, I should have thought about what I wanted to grow and not just wing it. Lesson learned.

So maybe you are starting your first backyard garden and you would like to know some easy herbs to try to grow this year. Here are a few herbs and what they are commonly used for.

Basil

Basil is a popular herb used in Italian cuisine. Known for its sweet and slightly spicy taste, it is commonly found in soups, salads, sauces, and pasta dishes. Basil can be eaten fresh or cooked. However, some nutritional value is lost when cooked.

Basil makes a great companion plant for tomatoes, asparagus, peppers, and root vegetables. Basil should not be planted near cucumbers, fennel, or herbs like sage and rosemary.

Are you wondering if there are any health benefits of eating basil? Yes, there are. Basil has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The eugenol in basil may help lower blood pressure. Cholesterol and triglycerides may drop from the essential oils found in basil. Basil is also rich in magnesium which helps with blood flow.

Chives

Now if you told me I could only grow one herb, chives would be the winner. They are the perfect finishing touch on a baked potato or freshly cooked omelet. Chives have a mild flavor so cooking them loses their flavor. Finely chop them and take your dish to the next level.

Chives grow well with carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, beets, broccoli, cabbage, and peppers. Don’t plant them next to asparagus, peas, spinach, or beans because they compete for the same soil nutrients.

Chives are full of flavonoid antioxidants which help improve heart health and fight inflammation.

Dill

Dill is the perfect garnish for soups and vegetable side dishes. It can also be used in yogurt based dipped like tzatziki. It can be used in all sorts of potato-based dishes such as baked potatoes and potato salad. Of course, my favorite use for dill is pickles!

Dill grows well with asparagus, corn, cucumbers, brassicas, and basil. It should not be planted near carrots as it can cross-pollinate and stunt the growth of the carrots.

Dill has been known to have many health benefits. It can help regulate diabetes, improve heart health, and even help promote lactation in breastfeeding women.

Mint

Mint is a popular addition to many foods and drinks. It can be used in mint jelly, ice cream, and lemonades. Of course, it is widely used in toothpaste, mouthwash, and breath fresheners.

It makes a great companion plant for brassicas because it helps deter flea beetles which like to chew holes into tender leaves. Mint is also useful around vegetables that mice would be attracted to because mint helps repel mice. You should not grow mint near oregano, rosemary, lavender, chamomile, parsley, and strawberries.

Mint is a well-known and popular herbal remedy. It has been known to ease upset stomachs, help calm anxiety, and encourage restful sleep.

Parsley

Most widely used as a garnish, parsley is also used in herbal bouquets in French dishes. It also makes a great addition to soups, stews, and sauces.

Parsley grows well with asparagus, corn, tomatoes, beans, peppers, and brassicas. It should not be grown around lettuce, carrots, onions, garlic, and mint.

Parsley is full of vitamin K which helps promote bone health. It is also a mighty natural diuretic and can help decrease blood pressure and bloating.

Which herbs will you be adding to your backyard garden this year?

Have you grown any of these herbs before? Which ones would you add? Leave me a comment and let me know.