How to Grow Parsley from Seed

Learning how to grow parsley from seed means you'll have ready access to this versatile herb almost year-round. Named 2021’s Herb of the Year by the International Herb Association, parsley is one of the most recognizable of herbs. If you’ve been to a restaurant, you’ve probably been served curly parsley as a garnish. However, parsley is much more than a garnish and it can be an important herb to grow if you’re selling herbs and produce for profit.

How to Use Rosemary in Your Home and Chicken Coop

Rosemary uses are as varied as its varieties from the kitchen, throughout the house and even to the chicken coop. A native of the Mediterranean, Portugal and northwestern Spain, the name rosemary means "sea-dew" since its blossoms have a dew-like appearance. Known for remembrance, rosemary is certainly a hard-to-forget herb!

How to Grow Blackberries and Raspberries

Blackberries and raspberries kicked off the 2020's as the Herb of the Year. Scientifically known as Rubus, and referred to as brambles, it would be hard to find a more useful herb for the homestead and self-reliant homeowner. Learning how to grow blackberries and raspberries provides delicious berries that can be eaten straight off the vine or cooked into cobblers, crisps and tons of other dishes. The berries can also be turned into products like jams, jellies or even wines for personal use or for sale to add diversity to farm income. Some even grow the berries and offer them as a u-pick product during the summer months providing customer foot traffic to the farm.

5 Tips for Successfully Planting Herbs in Pots

Planting herbs in pots has benefits for everyone from the space-starved gardener to the gardener with poor soil and everyone in between. Herbs in pots can fill gaps in the garden, allow special care of plants that require a little effort and provide a temporary home for herbs like rosemary and scented geraniums that will need to be moved inside during Northern winters.

Keeping Potted Rosemary Healthy All Year

In the language of herbs, the rosemary plant is known for remembrance. And if you’ve ever smelled the fresh piney scent of rosemary, it’s not likely something you’ll forget. Most herb gardeners grow this must-have plant in their gardens during the spring, summer and early fall. But what do you do with a healthy rosemary plant over the winter if you live in the north? 

All the ingredients to repot this root-bound rosemary – a new bigger pot, pebbles, sand and soil.

The Best Herbs to Grow in Fall

A long time ago, my garden mentor told me fall is a great time to plant. I initially thought this was crazy advice. But it's not. Fall doesn't have to mean the end of your garden! There are lots of plants to grow in the fall and there are definite advantages to growing in a cooler climate. Below are some of my favorites herbs to grow in the fall so my kitchen stays stocked with fresh seasonings through autumn. 

Sage - The Thanksgiving Herb

Thanksgiving and sage. The two go together like birds of a feather. Haha! Seriously, though, sage is the classic Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing seasoning. Its reach, though, extends beyond the holidays into a year-round classic for other culinary delights and in herbal teas.

Make Your Own Herb Vinegar

If your garden's been prolific, you’ve got lots of herbs that you don’t want to go to waste. So, why not make some herb vinegar? This is a great way to preserve tender herbs, such as basil and lemon balm. It provides a tasty addition to your menus. And, if you make an extra batch or two, you can use it for homemade holiday gifts.

Growing and Making Fresh Herbal Tea

As summer heats up, the herb garden is in full swing and many of the herbs have grown so big that it’s time for them to have some trimming done to encourage fullness and regrowth. What do you do with all those trimmings? Make a fresh herbal tea, of course! If you’ve never had fresh herb tea, it’s definitely something you should try. It’s easy and delicious!

Lemon Balm is a member of the mint family and grows rapidly.
I usually cut mine back once or twice a season to keep it under control.

How to Make Herb Butter

Herb butters seem so fancy when you go to a restaurant. They add a unique flavor to whatever they touch. Did you know they're actually easy to make at home? They're a great way to use your herbs through the growing season and preserve them for beyond.

Chives and dill have been chopped and butter is waiting to soften. A hint of lemon juice makes this extra tasty.

Three Easy-To-Grow Herbs

Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow. They’re not fussy and usually, you can just plant them and let Mother Nature take care of the rest. It’s best to try to meet the growing requirements stated on the label when you buy the plant. But even in that regard, herbs give you lots of leeway. Many will thrive in both full sun and partial shade. They usually don’t like wet feet, so make sure your site is well-drained.

Since the growing season is upon us, I encourage everyone to experiment with a few easy-grow-herbs that can even be tucked in among your other garden plants — no fancy herb garden required!