Mequoda Publishing Network is all about learning new things and sharing that knowledge with others. One thing that we are having a lot of fun with right now is learning all about spice and herb gardening. Food Gardening Network has shared some great tips on how to get started in their Freebie “How to Master Spice and Herb Gardening at Home”.
If you’ve always thought about growing spices and herbs at home but didn’t know where to start—you’re in the right place! Because with this FREEBIE, How to Master Spice and Herb Gardening at Home, we’ll walk you through the best choices for growing spices and herbs both indoors and outdoors, along with tips about watering, fertilizing, and harvesting. Who doesn’t appreciate the simple joy of reaching to the windowsill to snip a few fresh leaves of basil for tomato sauce. Or the pleasure of snagging a few sprigs of mint for tea.
Please use this FREEBIE, How to Master Spice and Herb Gardening at Home, to start planning your very own little spice and herb garden. Whether this is your first-time growing spices and herbs, or whether you’ve been nurturing a spice and herb garden forever, this FREEBIE will give you a wealth of information about many different ways of growing spices and herbs. Are you ready for some homegrown seasoning success?
Are you torn between growing spices and herbs on the windowsill or in a window box? Or, do you want to pick the right spice and herb combination for your container garden? This FREEBIE, How to Master Spice and Herb Gardening at Home, covers it all. Annuals? Perennials? Indoors? Outdoors? Learn how to pick the spice and herb combination that works best for you. We have covered the essentials for you.
The Difference Between a Spice and Herb
A lot of us use the terms spice and herb interchangeably. If you’re in your own kitchen, does it matter? Not really. But it’s good to know the general differences between a spice and herb.
Growing Spices and Herbs
You’ll find spices and herbs growing in practically all parts of the world. The most popular culinary herbs are pretty hardy, so no matter where you live, you can find a way to nurture you own favorite herbs. Rosemary can thrive outdoors, but it also works well as a container plant.
Spices can be a little more particular about their growing conditions—but that’s what container and indoor gardening are for! If you love ginger but you live outside hardiness zone 8 or above, you can still grow it with the right level of TLC. And there’s something to be said for cooking with ginger freshly harvested from your own garden!
Growing Herbs Indoors and Outdoors
When it comes to growing spices and herbs, growing herbs indoors is a piece of cake. For the most part, you can just plunk your herbs into the ground and they’ll grow where they’re planted, with little fuss. Perennials give you the bonus of only having to plant once to get a harvest year after year.
If you’re growing your herbs mostly outdoors, consider the space you have available. Parsley, chervil, and oregano can be planted fairly close together. Basil, dill, chives, rosemary, sage, and thyme need about a foot between each plant. And herbs like coriander, lavender, mint and tarragon need even more space—up to 2 feet!
Mulching Spices and Herbs
Herbs are the laid-back members of the culinary plant family. They’re pretty forgiving of benign neglect (but not overwatering!), they deter pests, and they keep on growing, even as you pluck their leaves off to flavor your dinner. Spices, while they’re not quite as laid-back, usually spice up your landscape with their lovely leaves and flowers. When you’re growing spices and herbs, consider adding a little mulch for TLC.
Harvesting Your Spice and Herb Garden
We outline the basic methods of harvesting your spice and herb garden, depending on which part of the plant you plan to pick. If you’re going for just the leaves, pick them before the plant flowers; you’ll get better flavor that way. If you’re harvesting the flowers, get picking just before the plants have fully flowered. And if your goal is to harvest seeds for spice (think coriander and dill), be patient and wait until the seeds are almost dry on the plant.
So what are you waiting for? Get started with your own spice and herb garden and get tips on best practices for growing spices and herbs with our FREEBIE, How to Master Spice and Herb Gardening at Home! Add some homegrown spice to your cooking and baking!
About Food Gardening Network, a brand of Mequoda Publishing Network: Food Gardening Network was founded by home food gardeners and for home food gardeners—the mission is to serve gardeners with tips, tools, advice, and recipes for growing and enjoying good food at home. During the Covid-19 pandemic that began in 2020, it became apparent that home food gardening would grow beyond a hobby for many home gardeners. Food Gardening Network launched in January of 2021 as an all-encompassing resource for gardeners of all skill levels, with in-depth articles on planning, planting, maintaining, and harvesting home garden crops. Food Gardening Network also includes easy-to-prepare recipes so home gardeners can enjoy the fruits of their labors in delicious, creative ways.
About Mequoda Publishing Network: Mequoda provides actionable ideas, inspiration, and advice for gardeners, cooks, and crafting enthusiasts—with the goal of improving their lives and increasing personal enrichment and enjoyment. We operate five multiplatform consumer brands, including six magazines, 28 email newsletters, and more than 100 digital books. We partner with dozens of sponsors to help them market their products to our audiences. For nearly two decades, Mequoda has explored and expanded the evolving art and science of multiplatform publishing and marketing. With in-depth research, aggressive testing, and cutting-edge strategy, Mequoda has developed a reputation as an industry leader for building and operating multiplatform communities that serve, engage, and delight consumers, sponsors, partners, and affiliates.
Contact: To learn more about our Email Marketing and Broadcasting Services, Exchange Program, or to become a marketing partner with any of our publications, please contact me at Christy@Mequoda.com or 781-556-1006.
