herbs
mint
Why: Mint has an aromatic taste with powerful antioxidant properties. It is used for many medicinal purposes including headaches, indigestion, and relieves feelings of stress and anxiety.
When: Late spring.
Where: Can be planted directly in the garden or indoors or ideally, in a separate pot. Sow seeds ¼ inches deep and space them 18 to 24 inches apart. The ideal temperature is 13 to 21◦C.
Care: Mint needs to be watered regularly, once or twice a day, to ensure the soil is always moist. It grows best in full sun but it can also do well in partial shade. Mint is considered to be invasive as it will send out runners and it can take over throughout your garden if you don’t continuously cut it back and restrict its growth. To help with this issue, consider planting mint in pots.
DTM: 2 months.
Harvest: Once the plant has grown multiple stems and it is about 3 to 4 inches tall, it is ready to be harvested. You may snip off individual leaves or snip off the whole stem, leaving one inch left to re-grow.
parsley
Why: Parsley is rich in vitamins C, A, and K. It contains antioxidant properties and is also known help fight against cancer. Did you know you can rub crushed up parsley on mosquito bites to help relief the itching?
When: Early spring to late spring.
Where: Directly plant your seeds in prepared soil. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep and 1 inch apart. Thin to 6 inches apart once parsley leaves start to grow. Space each row 10 to 12 inches apart. The ideal temperature is 15 to 18◦C.
Care: Water your plant about 2 to 3 times every week, you will know if it needs more water by looking at it. Keep the plant in full sun exposure but partial shade will work as well.
DTM: 70 to 90 days.
Harvest: You may harvest parsley once it has grown to about 6 inches tall. Using a pair of sharp scissors, snip off the outer stalks first as those ones are the oldest. It is best to harvest early in the morning when the oil in the plant is the strongest.
basil
Why: Basil contains many health benefits but it is also used for medicinal purposes as well including treatment for snakebites, headache, and the common cold. Furthermore it offers a unique flavor to many dishes such as pizza and pasta.
When: Mid to late spring.
Where: You may plant basils outdoors or indoors and it grows wonderfully in containers as well as long as it receives enough light. Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep and 10 to 12 inches apart. The ideal temperature is 24 to 28◦C.
Care: Basil needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight in a warm temperature as it is sensitive to the cold. Add a layer of mulch to help regulate its temperature and moisture. Many say that planting basil next to tomatoes helps improve its taste and growth as well.
DTM: 50 to 60 days.
Harvest: Once the plant grows to about 6 to 8 inches tall, you may harvest it by snipping off just above a set of leaves. Similarly to parsley, it is best to harvest basil early in the morning when it tastes its best.
dill
Why: Dill contains many health benefits and also protects against some diseases. Furthermore, planting dill in your garden attracts many beneficial insects including ladybugs and tachinid flies that help control many common garden pests.
When: Spring to summer.
Where: Dill should be planted directly in the garden as they do not transplant well and tend to bolt if transplanted. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep and 12 to 15 inches apart. It is often grown in clumps instead of rows for the purpose of self-sowing (the seeds will drop by itself and grow). The ideal temperature is 15 to 21◦C.
Care: It grows best in full sun, although it will tolerate light shade but it will not grow as bushy. Dill do not need a lot of water, just enough to keep the soil moist.
DTM: 70 days.
Harvest: You may harvest once you see the plant has at least 4 to 5 leaves, it should be about 6 inches tall. Simply use a sharp pair of scissors to snip off the leaves or stems.
chives
Why: Chives are one of the easiest herbs to grow and it is known to improve sleep, bone health, and several other health benefits. It will also look beautiful in your garden as it blooms into flowers.
When: Early spring for indoors or late spring for direct sow outdoors.
Where: You may plant them either directly in the garden or start early indoors and then transplanting it later in containers or in the garden. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep and 2 inches apart. The ideal temperature is 19◦C.
Care: Chives grow best in full sun with cool temperature, but it will tolerate light shade. It is known to help improve the growth and flavor of carrot and tomatoes if planted next to them. Divide the clump of chives every few years to stop it from overcrowding.
DTM: 3 months.
Harvest: Once the plant has grown to at least 6 inches tall, it is ready to be harvested. Did you know the entire chive plant is edible including the flowers? It will have a mild onion flavor. Cut what you need or the entire plant (leaving about 2 inches) if you desire as it will grow back.