Few things can make home cooking taste as good as fresh herbs – and they’re freshest when they're homegrown. A lot of people would love to grow herbs in their kitchen but aren’t sure how, but we can help! Try our herb garden ideas and learn everything you need to know for growing herbs indoors, including a step-by-step guide to starting a herb garden in your kitchen.
Repurpose old yogurt pots and ice cream cartons to contain your plants.
How to grow your own herbs: Which herbs suit a UK kitchen?
You know you want to grow a herb garden, but which herbs in particular should you choose?
These 10 common herbs work well in the UK climate and can be grown on your kitchen windowsill:
- 1
Parsley
- 2
Basil
- 3
Tarragon
- 4
Mint
- 5
Coriander
- 6
Dill
- 7
Sage
- 8
Fennel
- 9
Rosemary
- 10
Chives
Herb gardening for beginners: A step-by-step guide
Now you know all the delicious and versatile herbs that you could grow, how do you actually start doing it?
Learn how to grow herbs indoors in five quick steps:
- 1
Make sure you have all the equipment you need. That means pots in which to grow your herbs, labelling sticks, a trough and gardening gloves as well as seeds.
- 2
Select the right spot. Opt for lots of natural light and adequate space.
- 3
Get potting soil. Your local garden centre will be able to advise on a fertile variety.
- 4
Choose your seeds or plants. Ready-to-go plants may mean things get going quicker but seeds will be cheaper and may offer more satisfaction.
- 5
Feed and water them regularly. Be careful not to overwater – a classic cause of plant death.
How to make a herb garden that’s sustainable and eco-friendly
One of the most popular reasons why people grow their own food is because they care about sustainability and want to reduce food miles or the use of fertilisers. If you want to reduce the carbon footprint of your herb-growing endeavours try these tips:
- ✦
Repurpose containers such as yogurt pots or soup cartons as ready-made plant pots.
- ✦
Avoid plastic by choosing compostable cardboard containers to start your seeds off and terracotta or wood pots to display your adult plants.
- ✦
Avoid chemical fertilisers. Herbs can grow just as well without chemicals and there are natural alternatives you can try if necessary.
- ✦
Collect rain water to water your plants. This will avoid using your household supply.
Non-cooking purposes for herbs
Once you’ve grown all your herbs you might find you actually have a surplus. Rather than letting them go to waste, here are a few other uses you can give them:
- 1
Make your own herb-infused perfume.
- 2
Use the herbs as a sleep aid (put dried herbs in a linen bag and leave on the pillow).
- 3
Convert the herbs into natural air fresheners for your home.
- 4
Make herb-infused toiletries (think moisturisers, bath salts or body oil).
- 5
Freeze them in an ice cube tray with some melted butter or olive oil to infuse future dishes when cooking.
If you’ve been inspired to grow your own herbs, follow these easy steps and you’ll soon find yourself with lots of fresh, tasty, and versatile plants to use however you like.
Key steps
To grow your own herb garden follow these key steps:
- 1
Choose which herbs you want to grow (it’s best to start with a few then scale up).
- 2
Create a welcoming home for your plants with nutritious soil and lots of light.
- 3
Buy in herbs or plant seeds.
- 4
Check your plants regularly to ensure good herb health.
