5 Herbs to Grow in Your Kitchen Garden

Meals become extra aromatic with the addition of herbs and spices. Easy to find in the market, one can make use of multiple dried herbs to add a flavour boost. On the other hand, fresh herbs have their own character that can make your cooking come to life. Whether used for garnishing or actual ingredient of the meal, fresh herbs are a must have in the kitchen.

In comparison to the dried variety, you will discover that fresh herbs are a bit expensive. They may also not be available when you need them. A better alternative is to grow your own herbs. With a bit of attention and side of love, you can have your very own kitchen herb garden.

Nowadays, you can easily buy seeds in the market that have good germination quality. Additionally, fertilizers that work great for both indoors and outdoors are available to add to the herb pots. We have listed 5 herbs that can be grown right in your kitchen:

Oregano

Originally from the Greek countryside, oregano is now grown all over the world. It has a spicy and bitter flavour that brings out the taste when added with other vegetables. Being easy to grow, it is a recommended for a first-time gardener. In the right indoor conditions, oregano will thrive well and is easier to maintain. Germination of oregano can take up to 2 weeks and it becomes ready to harvest within 13 weeks.

Basil

Since basil is a warm weather herb, it can be grown without trouble in Pakistan. The herb is available in multiple types; the most common being sweet basil. Apart from its anise-like taste, the herb is well-known for its sweet but strong aroma. The germination can occur between 5 to 10 days while it will be ready for harvest within 10 weeks.

Coriander

Apart from being an essential herb in Indian cuisine, coriander is also used in Mexican, Thai, and Moroccan meals. It is also called cilantro at times. With a fresh, lemony, and piney aroma, it comes with a zesty taste. In addition to being used for its flavour and scent, coriander is also added to make meals digestion-friendly. The herb also happens to contain antioxidants and minerals, which makes it a good choice for personal health. Coriander takes 7 to 10 days for germination and is ready for harvesting within 3 to 4 weeks.

Parsley

Also cultivated as a spice and vegetable, parsley can brighten the flavours in meals. While it can taste mildly bitter, it brings about a balance to a variety of savoury dishes. Just like other bitter herbs, parsley is good for stimulating the appetite and helping with digestion. The plant can take 14 to 30 days for germination and will be ready for harvesting within 10 to 11 weeks.

Rosemary

An evergreen shrub prone to warmer zones, rosemary comes with a sharp flavour and piney aroma. While it can be used fresh with many meals, it often gives a better taste and scent when used dried. The taste can be overwhelming so it is advised to use it with caution in the recipes. Germination can take 14 to 21 days while it can be harvested within 11 to 14 weeks.

Your kitchen garden must have access to good sunlight and individual herbs may have their own environmental and watering requirements. The seeds can be bought from a local nursery along with the soil fertilizer. One can also find these on online stores including imported varieties.