5 herbs you can grow in your garden this spring

Temperatures are rising again, the sun is staying longer each day and many of us are drawn back to the balcony or terrace. Right now is the best time to sow new plants or move the large plants from the kitchen window back into the flower bed. For many people, just the thought of it can be daunting. Not everyone has a green thumb, after all. Luckily, you don't need one! Here are five popular herbs that you can easily grow in your garden.

In this overview article you will find the most basic information. For more in-depth instructions, I'll link you to other articles that you can read quickly.

Growing basil

Basil is often bought as an adult plant in the vegetable section of the supermarket. It is the first of the herbs that you can easily grow in your garden. Just a single basil leaf can add a visual nuance and flavor to a dish. Of course, most of the time it doesn't stop at the single leaf and the plant is quickly bare and used up.

Fortunately, you can simply cut a shoot from your basil and place it in a glass of water for a week or two. There it will grow new roots and be ready for planting again. It is important that you place the water glass in a well-lit spot. However, your basil should not be in full sun all day. You should also change the water about twice a week to provide new nutrients.

You can learn all the details about it in the article about basil cultivation.

Growing oregano

The well-known pizza spice oregano is a perennial plant and can therefore give you pleasure and just enough spice for a long time with proper care. Oregano comes in many different varieties such as Western oregano, Turkish oregano or marjoram. So if you like to bake pizza, you should grow these herbs.

Oregano is quite easy to grow from seeds or to clone from already mature plants. It does well in cool temperatures and survives the winter without any problems. In principle, you can harvest oregano whenever you need some fresh spice. However, the best time to harvest it is between June and October, while its flowers are blooming in a beautiful pink to purple color. At that time, oregano contains the most essential oils.

Here's more info on growing oregano in the garden.

Growing rosemary

Also full of essential oils are the needles of rosemary. Most people season their dishes with dry rosemary and have no idea at all what they are missing. Fresh rosemary is on a completely different level of flavor than its dry counterpart from the spice bag.

Rosemary can be sown from the end of March in a cold frame, greenhouse or simply in a pot on the kitchen window. However, you should only plant it in the garden from the second year onwards, otherwise it will not survive the first winter. As an alternative to sowing, you can also simply propagate rosemary from cuttings that you cut to about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long and then simply place in some potting soil.

Learn more about growing rosemary.

Growing spring onions

Well, now of course we move a little away from the herbs. From a culinary point of view, however, spring onions still belong close to basil, oregano and rosemary. They should not be missing in any kitchen and can refine many dishes with their strong green and mild flavor and make them seem a lot fresher.

The great thing about spring onions from the supermarket is that they are sold with their roots and can therefore be replanted immediately. You can even do this after you've already cut off the top part and cooked it.

Leave about 10 centimeters (4 inches) of your spring onions and place the root in a glass of water. Make sure that not everything is covered, but at least the entire root. After a week or two, your spring onion will start growing new shoots again, which you can cut off and eat without worry. Of course, this won't go on forever. For sustainable growing, you should move them to a flower bed. At best, you do this in late spring. It will then last for several years and can be cut back down to 5 to 10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) as often as you need.

Here are all the details about growing spring onions.

Growing peppermint

In terms of taste, we now go even further and end up with peppermint. The sharp, cooling menthol flavor of mint is probably familiar to everyone. Peppermint is especially popular because you can pick it up and let it melt raw between your teeth like a menthol candy. Whether raw, infused as a peppermint tea, or used as a special flavor for a cocktail, anyone growing herbs in their garden should not overlook peppermint.

Mints can be found in any hardware store as adult plants and as seeds, which you can sow in the spring at temperatures above 15 ° C (59°F).The light-germinating seeds should only be pressed superficially into the soil and after 2-3 weeks you can admire your first seedlings.

Peppermint does not need much sun and should also be protected from the wind. This is especially true when it is still small. Ideal for both is a garden fleece, which will block some light and also keep the air warm underneath.

Just like oregano, peppermint can theoretically be harvested all year round. However, the best time to use it is between July and October, when it contains the most menthol.

If that piqued your interest, you can read all the details about growing peppermint here.

Summary

Basil, oregano, rosemary, spring onions and peppermint are five herbs that anyone can grow in their garden without much effort. All of them are suitable for sowing in the spring and will last for several years. This will give you a fresh supply of spices for years that can enhance your vegetable pans, pizzas, teas, or even cocktails, and make a big impression on your friends and family.