What Herbs Can You Grow in a Small Urban Garden?

Urban gardening has become somewhat of a trend in recent years. As more and more people are living in small, cramped apartments in big cities, a breath of fresh air and a couple of plants can really make a big difference in how someone feels in their space. And if you’re not sure where to start, herbs are always a good choice. But not all herbs are the same and not all of them require the same environment and maintenance, so make sure you check the needs of a specific plant before committing to it.

Yes, there are plenty of other plants you can grow in an urban setting, but herbs are convenient for two main reasons: Firstly, they are edible. Having something that grows fresh right there in your kitchen and using it in your cooking is a luxury unlike any other. And secondly, they are seasonal plants, so you don’t have to care for them year-round. They grow, wilt, wither, and then they grow again next year. Meaning, when the weather gets colder and you don’t even feel like going to your terrace to water them - well, you won’t have to. Additionally, herbs can grow in very small pots, so they are perfect for a small urban garden, a kitchen counter or a shoe organizer filled with soil.

So, let’s introduce the herbs:

Everyone loves cooking with basil. It can be small-leafed or large-leafed, but if you’re growing it to cook with, large-leaf is the way to go. Basil has a pretty short life cycle, but if you keep adding new seeds every few weeks, you’ll have a constantly growing plant throughout the year. It really loves warmth and lots of light, so something like a window sill in your kitchen is an ideal place for a basil plant. You can use the leaves in any combination with acidic foods like lemon and tomatoes. Add it to your tomato sauce, your salads and fish.

If you don’t have the capacities to grow full-size onions or shallots, chives are an amazing substitute. The leaves look similar to grass, and when you cut them, you need to leave about 2-5 centimeters at the bottom so that the plant can regrow and you can have more chives. You can use chives in almost any dish as a garnish, but the onion flavor cuts beautifully through rich and heavy dishes like eggs and custards.

We all know the fresh flavor and smell of mint leaves. It’s a beautifully vibrant plant, and not only is it great for cooking, but if you run your hands through it, your entire room will fill up with the fresh scent of mint. Mint can live in a small pot, but if you give it a little bit of extra space, it will spread extremely quickly. There are different types of mint, so pick one you like best, but they can all be used in teas, salads, as garnish, or in cocktails! You can just pick the leaves off as you need them, and they will regrow pretty fast.

The one herb that can be added to nearly every dish you’re making, and it’s so easy to grow. You can grow it from a seed or place a cutting in water to sprout roots and then put it in soil. The leaves have a distinct curly shape and you can just pick them off when you need them. If given the space, parsley can also grow a large root, which is loaded in flavor and amazing in soups. You should surely use this if you have a large urban garden where you can plant things in deeper soil. The experts at https://harpersnurseries.com/ say the key to urban gardening is maximizing the space you have, so use it wisely. Sprinkle parsley leaves over dishes, add them to soup in bunches or even blend them up in creamy soups, and save the large roots for your next stock.

Let’s talk a bit more exotic. If you ever cooked with sage, you know that just a tiny bit is enough to flavor an entire dish. It’s a bit tricky to work with, as it doesn’t like humidity or wet soil. This means that something like a kitchen without good ventilation isn’t a good spot. It might require special care, but the velvety leaves are so beautiful, it’s definitely worth it.

Growing herbs indoors is a challenge at first, but once you master their needs and have a sense of how they need to be taken care of, you can easily have a whole garden as both decor and practical cooking ingredients. If you’ve never grown anything before, or you consider yourself as someone who doesn’t have “green thumbs”, then herbs are a good place to start because they’re easily replaceable and they will teach you a lot about taking care of plants and the basics of gardening.