Tina BevkStarting an herb garden is a fantastic way to add to your homesteading lifestyle. Herbs are easy to grow, useful in the kitchen, and offer many health benefits.
At our house, we have lemon balm that we harvest every summer, making the easiest and most deliciously refreshing lemon balm single-layer cake. Basil is always a favorite for our homemade pizzas, the same as oregano. Mint is great to infuse our jugs of water with. My kids love helping out by picking herbs, which keeps them busy while I'm cooking. Here are 11 essential herbs every homesteading mom should grow in my opinion:
Basil
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Basil is a must-have in any herb garden. Its fresh, aromatic leaves are perfect for making pesto, adding to salads, and enhancing pasta dishes. Basil’s versatility in the kitchen makes it an essential herb for any homesteader.
Useful Tip: Pinch off the flowers to encourage more leaf growth and prevent the plant from becoming bitter.
Thyme
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Thyme is a hardy herb that thrives in most conditions. It’s ideal for seasoning meats, soups, and stews. Its robust flavor and ease of growth make thyme a staple in any herb garden.
Useful Tip: Thyme is a perennial, so plant it once and enjoy it year after year.
Rosemary
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Rosemary is not only delicious but also a beautiful addition to your garden. It’s great with roasted vegetables and meats. Rosemary’s strong, piney flavor and its hardiness make it a valuable herb.
Useful Tip: Use rosemary sprigs as fragrant skewers for grilling meats and vegetables.
Oregano
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Oregano is a staple in Italian and Mediterranean cooking. It’s perfect for pizzas, sauces, and marinades. Why It’s on the List: Its strong flavor and numerous culinary uses make oregano a must-have. Useful Tip: Dry the leaves to keep the flavor strong all year round.
Mint
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Mint is refreshing and versatile. It’s perfect for teas, desserts, and salads. Mint’s ability to add a fresh twist to many dishes makes it essential.
Useful Tip: Mint can spread quickly, so consider planting it in a pot to control its growth.
Parsley
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Parsley is more than just a garnish. It’s packed with vitamins and can enhance many dishes. Its nutritional value and versatility in cooking make parsley indispensable.
Useful Tip: Flat-leaf parsley is often more flavorful than the curly variety.
Cilantro
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Cilantro adds a fresh, zesty flavor to salsas, tacos, and salads. Its unique flavor profile makes cilantro a favorite in many cuisines.
Useful Tip: Cilantro bolts quickly in hot weather, so plant it in cooler months for best results.
Sage
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Sage has a warm, earthy flavor perfect for fall dishes like stuffing and roasted meats. Sage’s robust flavor and perennial nature make it a valuable herb.
Useful Tip: Harvest sage leaves regularly to encourage new growth and prevent the plant from becoming woody.
Dill
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Dill is fantastic for pickling, adding to fish dishes, and flavoring dips. Dill’s unique flavor and usefulness in preserving make it essential.
Useful Tip: Harvest dill leaves regularly, and collect the seeds for next year’s planting or to use as a spice.
Chives
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Chives bring a mild onion flavor to dishes, and their purple flowers are edible too. Their mild flavor and versatility make chives a great addition to any garden.
Useful Tip: Chives are great in eggs, salads, and as a baked potato topping.
Lemon Balm (Melissa)
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Lemon balm has a light, lemony flavor that's perfect for teas and desserts. Its calming properties and pleasant flavor make lemon balm a favorite.
Useful Tip: Lemon balm can be used fresh or dried, and it also makes a great addition to homemade herbal remedies.
By growing these 11 herbs, you'll step up your meals, keep your kids busy, and create a beautiful, aromatic garden!
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