Yesterday, was a big day for me. I got to enjoy the wonderful breezes and dappled sunlight filtering through the trees outside. It was the perfect day to get a good start on my herb garden.
I like growing herbs, because the store-bought kind are so expensive. Dried or fresh, herbs are one of those grocery items that seem to cost as much per ounce as gold. By growing the herbs myself, I save on both the cost of the herbs and the cost of making trips to the store to buy them, since it seems I never have the right herbs on hand for meals. Dried herbs are only good for about six months. After that, you might as well just be putting dirt in your food.
It also goes without saying, that fresh herbs, straight from my own garden taste better. I can pick as much as I need, when I need it.
Normally, I like to grow my herbs from seed to save the most I can. It is also a good science project for the kids when we plant them. This year, though, I have been running a bit late, so I’m opting for seedling plants for my herbs. Fortunately, we have a cute little produce and plant store nearby that sells locally grown produce, flowers and plants, so we picked up a few.
Two herbs that I am starting with, because I tend to use them the most often, and because they taste the best when they are fresh are basil and oregano. We enjoy homemade pizza at least once a week, and that alone justifies growing these herbs. They are can be used in a multitude of other dishes. I really enjoy a fresh mozzarella sandwich with fresh basil and olive oil on Italian bread, for example.
Because we haven’t had time to build a raised kitchen garden complete with a high fence to keep out the deer, I planted my herbs in containers. My kitchen herb garden sits just outside the front door on our porch. It is pretty and convenient.
Future herbs that I would like to add include rosemary (for roasted chicken) and maybe even some onions and garlic.
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