Tips for growing herbs

[Kirsten]

I have a desire to grow my own herbs like I've seen some people doing on their kitchen windowsills. Can anyone give me an idea of which herbs are the easiest for a beginner to start with?

[Lyndish]

Mint is very easy, but if it gets any seeds into your garden it will grow everywhere. Otherwise, as long as they get sunlight and water, most herbs are pretty easy. If you want to grow them from seed one of the starter kits with three different herbs that some of the shops sell. Rosemary, Thyme, and Parsley have always grown well for me.

[Tamin]

Basil is very prolific too but it gets really tall.  It may not be the ideal plant for your window sill.  Oregano is also a good one to have but it's like mint.  It will get out of hand if you let it.

[Kirsten]

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll see what they have at the shops and make my choice from there between mint, oregano, thyme, rosemary and parsley. Or I may end up trying to grow all of them, who knows. LOL.

[Lyndish]

I forgot about one really important thing: which herbs do you use? If you are going to use the herbs in cooking, then it makes sense to get ones that your family already eats. If you are just going for decoration or scent, herbs like rosemary are a better bet. It is easy to grow and take cuttings from, and if the leaves are crushed it has a very sweet scent.

[Kirsten]

I want the herbs for cooking. I think there is a great deal of satisfaction in eating something that you grew yourself, don't you think?