10 Best Herbs to Grow & Why

Hey y’all, I’ve shared that I’m a wannabe gardener, however I have had some success with Herbs. They are super easy to grow and a great addition to any garden.

Here are the 10 Best Herbs to Grow and Why! Herbs are easy to grow and are such a money saver. You’ll learn which herbs to plant as annuals and which are perennial, as well as how to preserve herbs for off season enjoyment.

In addition, which herbs are a beautiful addition to your landscape, why these are my favorite and how I use them.

Sage is a beautiful addition to the landscape year round.

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I’m sharing some of my own tips and some from experts.

My absolute favorite herbs to grow are Basil, Rosemary & Sage.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Let’s get the list started first.

Top Ten Herbs to Grow

• Basil
• Cilantro
• Dill
• Mint
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Chives
• Lavender

Annual Herbs to Plant

When you plant an annual herb, this means you have to replant it every year. So let’s take a look at which of the favorite herbs to grow will need replanting seasonally.

Basil – My favorite herb and I’ll be sharing why is a moment.

Cilantro is a warm weather herb that is only harvested once. You may get some new growth but not much. Occasionally I have had it to sprout from the seeds that drop. I love to have fresh cilantro, but its not as cost efficient to grow as most other herbs. Fortunately, it’s also the least expensive herb to purchase.

Perennial Herbs to Grow

The majority of herbs are perennial and therefore once established, you will have fresh herbs at your fingertips year after year. Obviously, perennial herbs are the most cost effective.

Dill is favorite herbs to grow because it is a tasty addition to many recipes. I love having fresh dill for fish and dill dips and sauces.

It is a warm season herb and even a light frost will be too much for this delicate plant. Therefore, be sure to preserve some for winter.

Dill will come back next spring but can quickly turn to seed if the seed buds aren’t pinch off. You may want your plant to turn to seed to be used for pickles, etc.

If the original plant drops seeds, you will see little plants popping up all around your original plant. Therefore, you can enjoy dill all summer.

Mint is a great herb to plant and we have it growing in several areas of our landscape. It spreads rapidly and therefore can be very hard to control. It is great for making these Peach Mojitos as well as a natural mosquito repellant.

Oregano is a perennial that comes back year after year. In milder climates, it can produce even during winter months.

Parsley is a biennial, which means it will come back a second year before going to seed.

Rosemary is a wonderful herb to have in your garden because it survives most winters and can be used all winter long. See why it’s in my top 3.

Sage is beautiful in the garden. Read more below.

Chives will also survive most milder winters and are a great substitute for shallots if you are in a pinch. They also have a beautiful bloom in the Spring.

See this refreshing Fresh Herb and Cucumber Dip Recipe.

Lavender is so beautiful and once established, will produce every year according to the experts. I’ve personally not had great luck with lavender but I’ll give you the secret tip if I ever figure it out.

I’m leaving it in my top 10 because I really want a garden full and have faith that I’ll figure it out. Thanks in advance for any tips.

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My 3 Favorite Herbs to grow

Thankfully I have had better success with these three herbs that I planted. These are my three favorite herbs to grow and each one for different reasons.

Basil

Although you have to re-plant Basil each spring, it’s still a wonderful herb to have in your garden.

Basil is super easy to grow and doesn’t require a lot of attention. The only thing you want to do with basil is harvest it often. Don’t let it flower. If you see a flower starting, pinch it off immediately. The more you harvest your basil plant the better it will grow. What’s not to love about that?

Basil will produce all summer long. Providing you with lots of yummy meals and my favorite Basil Pesto Recipe. In addition, basil is wonderful for Caprese Salads, especially when fresh tomatoes are in season.

Sage

I rarely use sage for seasoning, however I love it in my garden. It has the most beautiful blooms in the spring.

In addition, it smells great when added to floral arrangements and my Christmas Garland.

It shows up big time in the Spring with these beautiful purple blooms and once they are gone, the leaves are a soft silvery green.

Sage and Rosemary gathered for a Dried Fruit and Herb Garland

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Rosemary

Just like sage, Rosemary isn’t my favorite herb to cook with. However, it’s beautiful, smells delicious and is available all year in my garden.

I personally love using rosemary to mix with fresh florals.

Sprigs of Rosemary fill in around the hydrangea arrangement & both Rosemary and Sage add a green touch to the Black Eyed Susan arrangement.

When I have guests arriving, I always cut several sprigs and add them to bud vases through out the house. Rosemary and Sage adds a fresh wonderful scent to the kitchen.

Rosemary and dill as well as many other herbs are great for garnishing your dishes.

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Dry or Freeze Herbs for Winter use

Most herbs can be preserved to use in soups, salads, etc. during the off season. Here are some tips for Drying Herbs with a section on freezing as well.

Some perennials will survive a mild winter and therefore, you may not need to preserve them.

However, I’m in zone 7b and some herb survive the winter but there’s no guarantee.

Basil will not survive the winter.

Frozen basil is great added to soups or chili recipes during the winter. See more details here.

In addition, to floral arrangements, delicious recipes and yummy spices, you can see how to use your fresh herbs to make Botanical Art and Free Herb Centerpiece ideas.

I hope you enjoyed learning more about the 10 Best Herbs to Grow and Why!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I look forward to sharing my next adventures with you.

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