If you’re looking for a way to add more fresh ingredients to your meals, herbs from your own garden are a great option. Many people may feel intimidated by the idea of caring for an herb garden, but we’re here to show you how easy it can be! We’ll explain how to care for herbs year-round without the hassle and fuss!
5 Steps on How to Care for Herbs Year-Round
Having fresh herbs from your garden doesn’t have to be labor intensive and difficult. We break down how to care for an herb garden all year in five easy steps!
1. Decide Inside or Outside
In Florida, we’re lucky enough to have a climate that’s fairly warm all year round, making our home state the ideal environment for many plants and herbs. But constant heat may not be ideal for some herbs, and Gainesville, our hometown, can get pretty frigid in the winter. So, the first decision you’ll want to make is whether your herb garden is going to be inside or outside. There are pros and cons to each decision.
Inside, you can expect:
- The Pros:
- Precise temperature control
- Easy access to your herbs, no matter the weather
- Full control of water intake
- Less risk of pests ruining your garden
- The Cons:
- More restricted access to sunlight
- Some dirt in your home
Outside, you can expect:
- The Pros:
- Beneficial bugs and wildlife to help your plants
- Less mess inside your home
- The enjoyment of getting some vitamin D when you garden
- The Cons:
- Less temperature control and risk of plant death
- Pests in your garden
- Seasons of heavy rain or drought
The best way to come to a decision is to decide what essential herbs you want to grow and then see if they are suitable for your area’s hardiness zone. If they’re not ideal for your zone, they’re best grown inside!
2. Get Them Sunlight
Regardless of whether your garden is inside or outside, sunlight is essential to a thriving herb garden. If you decide to keep your herbs inside, make sure there is a nearby light source for them, such as on the sill of a window or near a large window. You can even invest in an herb lamp to keep them strong and healthy when a period of rainy days comes and blocks the sun!
If your garden is outside, you’ll want to find the ideal location in your yard for sunlight. You don’t want your herbs constantly exposed to the sun, but they also shouldn’t always be shaded. Try to find a spot that is partially shaded to protect your herbs from Florida’s harsh sun while still getting them the light they need to grow.
3. Water as Needed
Want to hear a secret? Most people are overwatering their plants. And it’s what’s causing their plants to die.
Yes, your herbs will need water to grow, but don’t fall into the trap of overwatering. If you’re noticing signs of browning, wilting, or lack of growth in your herbs, too much water could be the culprit.
A good sign that your herbs need water is if the soil is dry to the touch. Wet soil means you should hold off for a little longer before the next watering.
4. Add Some Nutrients
Some extra nutrients go a long way in helping your herbs grow and thrive. While you may not want to mess with fertilizer, things as simple as coffee grounds and eggshells can add much-needed nutrients to the soil of your herb garden. At Ward’s, we even offer some locally sourced compost that can take your garden to the next level!
5. Use Regularly in Your Meals
The most important step: don’t be afraid to use your herbs! Put all your hard work to good use by enjoying a fresh, healthy meal made with herbs and seasonings you grew yourself. From adding them to your salads to seasoning your steaks with them, the options are endless for what you can do when you have a fresh herb garden right at your fingertips.
Jump Start Your Fresh Herb Garden at Ward’s Supermarket!
If you want to get a head start on your herb garden journey, Ward’s offers live herbs and plants for you to take home to your garden! We get our fresh herbs from local farms in North Central Florida, so you can enjoy high-quality, live plants for your home-cooked meals. Stop by Ward’s Supermarket today to find your next hobby!
