Fresh herbs add a wonderful flavor to home-cooked food, and are so much more delicious than the dried alternative. But buying fresh herbs from the grocery store gets expensive, and the leaves soon lose their flavor. Growing an herb garden in pots, either inside or out, is an easy and cheap way to have a constant supply of great-tasting fresh herbs. In most areas, indoor herbs will grow all year round. Here are some simple tips for homegrown herbs and delicious food and herb pairings.

5 Tips for growing fresh herbs

Fresh herb tip #1: Choose a proper container
Herbs can grow in all kinds of containers, from standard plant pots to recycled containers. If the herbs are indoors, pick nice-looking pots, or give them a funky look with recycled kitchen items, such as colanders, food cans or cutlery drainers – in fact anything that looks good and has drainage holes or can have them added. Water regularly but don’t let the compost get too wet, or let the pots sit in water, and don’t forget to put saucers underneath indoor pots to protect tables, window sills and work surfaces.

Fresh herb tip #2: Use good potting soil
Whether the containers are inside or out, use potting soil, not dirt from the garden – it will be less likely to compact in the pots and will reduce the chance of pests and diseases.

Fresh herb tip #3: Grow in a sunny place and clip often
Pick a sunny windowsill for an indoor herb garden – in the kitchen, if possible – and keep using the herbs, because clipping off shoots and leaves will help the plants to grow strongly, and keep them compact and bushy.

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