The Easiest Herbs to Grow in Your Back Yard

Herbs are one of the easiest types of plants to grow. Fresh homegrown herbs can add a punch of flavor to any meal. Even if you are getting a late start in the growing season some herbs can be grown year round and a few plants of each can provide you with an abundance of herbs to use and share with friends and neighbors or dry and save for the non growing season.

Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow and is known for growing extremely fast. With dozens of diverse varieties to grow from it is easy to see why basil is a huge part in many herb gardeners planting space.

Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto and even one plant can provide you with enough pesto for an entire year. Many other types of basil such as sweet basil, lemon basil, and cinnamon basil can provide huge flavor to many meals. Basil varieties with purple leaves and beautiful blooms are specifically desirable for gardeners looking to add some color and beauty to their gardens.

Basil grows best in full sun and can be grown in containers or tucked into flower beds with other vegetables and herbs.

Mint is an extremely easy herb to grow. It comes in many different varieties such as spearmint and chocolate mint each having a unique look, smell and taste. Mint can be added to recipes such as lamb, fish, poultry or vegetable or you can simply snack it and enjoy the taste on it's own/

Mint is best grown in full sun and is an extremely easy to care for, prolific plant. It is best to grow mint in an enclosed, confined area such as a planter box or a container. If put in a bed with other vegetables and herbs mint will spread everywhere and is known to take over the entire area from other plants. Although mint is a very hearty plant on its own, mint does appreciate some fertilizer every now and again.

Cilantro is an easy, fast growing vigorous plant that is a great addition to any garden large or small. Cilantro can be used in salsas or marinates adding a huge spark of flavor.

Cilantro grows best in full sun and soil with good drainage. It is best to give cilantro a bit of room from other places since cilantro frequently self sows, meaning after the seeds drop off the plant a new plant will grow without any intervention from the gardener. Unlike mint cilantro will not take over an entire planter bed but it does enjoy just a little room to grow and spread.

The entire cilantro plant is edible. You can use the leaves and stems in recipes such as soups and salsa and use the flowers in salads. In temperate climates cilantro will grow year round.

Parsley is a beautiful herb to grow, growing thick and up to a foot high. In the south parsley can grown year round, in the north the growing season can be a bit shorter. Place parsley in full sun to partial sun and in rich soil. Parsley will thrive on its own or in containers and beds with other plants.

Parsley is a great addition to many recipes and grows in abundance. To harvest parsley cut the outer stems never taking more than 1/3 of the plant. After you harvest parsley the plant will continue to produce and even become bushier. You can freeze or dry parsley to enjoy year round.

Rosemary is a beautiful, aromatic herb to grow. Rosemary can grow to be 5 feet in warm climates resembling a small tree. Easy to grow and prolific rosemary is a great addition to any herb garden.

Be sure to plant rosemary herb seedlings 2-3 feet apart as rosemary can grow large and tall. Rosemary loves full sun and rich soil that drains well. Rosemary will not take over and entire area so it is fine to plant with other plants however do be sure to give small rosemary plants ample room to grow.

Growing your own herbs is fun and easy. Grow your own herbs and cut back on your grocery bill while adding great flavor to your recipes. If you live in a climate where you are unable to grow year round, growing a few of each plant will provide you with plenty of herbs to preserve and enjoy year round.