5 Easy to Grow Herbs For Beginner Kitchen Gardeners
“The best time to start your kitchen garden was yesterday…the next best time is today!”
Why Start With These 5 Easy to Grow Herbs?
Starting a kitchen garden may seem overwhelming, but like any new skill, it becomes easier when you start small and choose the right plants. The key to success is beginning with simple, resilient herbs that require minimal effort yet offer big rewards in flavor, health, and garden benefits.
Herbs are low maintenance, adaptable, and incredibly versatile. They thrive in raised beds, containers, or even a sunny windowsill and can be used for cooking, wellness, and even garden pest control.
In this article we will explore why herbs are so special and why basil, lemon balm, echinacea, dill, and oregano are the perfect beginner friendly plants.
What’s So Special About Herbs?
Herbs are more than just plants. They are flavor enhancers, natural healers, and garden superstars all in one. Whether you're growing them for their culinary uses, health benefits, or simply their beauty, herbs bring so much to your garden and your life.
1. Herbs Are Beginner-Friendly
Most herbs are low maintenance and grow well in small spaces, making them perfect for new gardeners. Many are perennials, meaning they return year after year with little effort.
Some, like oregano and lemon balm, are so resilient they practically take care of themselves.
2. Herbs Support Health and Wellness
Plants like echinacea and lemon balm have been used for centuries to boost immunity, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. Growing your own herbs gives you full control over what you consume. Your herbs and your meals will be free from pesticides and additives.
3. Herbs Help Your Garden Thrive
Herbs attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies while repelling unwanted pests.
- Dill is a host plant for caterpillars that transform into butterflies.
- Basil and oregano deter harmful insects, eliminating the need for chemical pesticides.
4. Herbs Can Be Grown Anywhere
Herbs thrive in raised beds, containers, or even a kitchen windowsill. They adapt to different environments and can be harvested fresh, dried, or preserved for year round use.
5. Herbs Nourish the Whole Body
Beyond their practical benefits, herbs hold intrinsic value in how they nurture the mind and soul. Tending to a herb garden is a form of self-care, offering a sense of peace, purpose, and creativity.
The act of planting, smelling, and harvesting fresh herbs is a sensory experience that can be both grounding and uplifting, helping to relieve stress in our fast-paced lives.
Whether you're brushing past creeping thyme on a garden path or gathering basil for tonight's dinner, herbs create daily moments of connection with your garden.
Fresh from the Garden: Tips to grow Essential Kitchen Herbs
Basil
🌿 “Basil is the whisper of summer, carrying warmth and fragrance from the garden straight to the heart of every meal.”
Growing basil in a kitchen garden is simple and rewarding, providing a steady supply of fresh, fragrant leaves for your meals.
Basil thrives in warm, well draining soil and requires at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Start by planting seeds or seedlings after the last frost, spacing them about 10-12 inches apart to allow for bushy growth.
Regular harvesting by pinching off the top leaves encourages fuller, more vigorous plants while preventing flowering, which can reduce flavor.
Basil grows well in raised beds, containers, alongside tomatoes and peppers. Each plant benefits from their shared growing conditions. Keep the soil evenly moist but avoid overwatering, as basil dislikes soggy roots.
With minimal care, basil will flourish all season long, filling your kitchen garden with its unmistakable aroma and fresh, flavorful leaves.
Bruise a leaf between your fingers and release that instantly recognizable fragrance that speaks of summer gardens. The flavor combines sweetness with subtle peppery notes, growing more complex as leaves mature.
Lemon balm
🍋 “Lemon balm is sunshine in leaf form, soothing, uplifting, and a reminder that peace is always within reach.”
Growing lemon balm in a kitchen garden is easy and rewarding.
It offers a steady supply of citrus scented leaves perfect for teas, culinary use, and natural remedies.
This hardy herb thrives in well draining soil with partial to full sunlight, though it tolerates some shade. Plant seeds or seedlings after the last frost, spacing them 12-18 inches apart, as lemon balm spreads vigorously.
Regular harvesting by pinching off leaves or trimming stems encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming too leggy.
Lemon balm grows well in raised beds, containers, or herb gardens, but it’s best to contain it if you don’t want it to spread aggressively. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and enjoy its refreshing lemon fragrance and calming properties all season long.
In late spring, globe shaped purple blossoms appear on tall stems, drawing both pollinators and admiring glances.
Echinacea
🌸“Echinacea stands as nature’s shield. It's strong, radiant, and always ready to heal, reminding us of the quiet power found in resilience.”
Growing echinacea in a kitchen garden is simple and rewarding. It offers beautiful blooms and homeopathic benefits.
This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. It tolerates poor soil conditions once established.
Direct sow seeds or plant seedlings in early spring or fall, spacing them 6–8 inches apart to allow for mature growth.
Echinacea is drought tolerant, requiring only occasional watering once established, making it an excellent low maintenance addition to raised beds or pollinator friendly gardens.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming, but allow some to go to seed if you want natural reseeding. With its vibrant purple petals and immune boosting properties, echinacea is a stunning and beneficial herb to grow in any kitchen garden.
Dill
🌾 Dill “Like its feathery leaves dancing in the breeze, dill brings lightness and grace to both the garden and the plate.”
Growing dill in a kitchen garden is easy and rewarding. It offers feathery, aromatic leaves perfect for pickling, seasoning, and fresh salads.
Dill thrives in full sun and well draining, nutrient rich soil, making it a great addition to raised beds and container gardens.
Direct sow seeds in early spring, a few weeks before the last frost, and again in late summer for a fall harvest.
Dill can be spaced 9 plants per square foot, though taller varieties may need more room to prevent crowding.
Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy, and avoid transplanting, as dill prefers to grow undisturbed.
Harvest leaves regularly to encourage bushier growth, and if left to flower, dill will attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
Once it bolts, allow seed heads to mature and collect dill seeds for cooking or replanting. With minimal care, dill provides a steady supply of flavorful leaves and seeds while enhancing the biodiversity of your garden.
Oregano
🌿“Oregano is the essence of resilience, thriving with little, growing abundantly, and infusing life with deep, earthy warmth.”
Growing oregano in a kitchen garden is simple and rewarding. It provides bold, earthy leaves perfect for seasoning sauces, meats, and vegetables.
This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and well draining soil, making it an excellent choice for raised beds, containers, and herb gardens.
Direct sow seeds or plant seedlings after the last frost, spacing them 9 plants per square foot in a raised bed garden.
Oregano prefers drier soil, so water sparingly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Regular harvesting by pinching back stems encourages fuller, bushier growth and enhances flavor.
Once established, oregano is drought tolerant and requires minimal maintenance. In summer, it produces small, edible flowers that attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
For the best flavor, harvest leaves just before flowering and dry them for long term storage. With its low maintenance nature and rich, savory aroma, oregano is a must have for any kitchen garden.
The diverse flavors, fragrant presence, and easy growing nature, of these five herbs make a versatile and rewarding addition to any kitchen garden, enhancing both your meals and your gardening experience.
Plant them where you can easily brush against them during morning garden visits, releasing their fragrances and connecting you to the ancient pleasures of growing herbs all day long.
Quick Herb Chart
| WHY GROW IT | HOW TO GROW IT | BEST USES | |
| BASIL | Easy to cultivate, grows fast, and enhances countless dishes | Loves warm weather, needs 6-8 hours of sunlight, and thrives in well-draining soil | Fresh in salads, pasta, pesto, and infused oils |
| LEMON BALM | A fast growing herb with a refreshing citrus scent | Grows in full sun or partial shade, prefers rich, well-drained soil | Tea, stress relief, insect repellent, and homemade balms |
| ECHINACEA | Beautiful, hardy, and packed with immune boosting properties | Thrives in full sun, needs well draining soil, and is drought-tolerant | Herbal teas, immune support, and pollinator gardens |
| DILL | Low maintenance, attracts pollinators, and is perfect for pickling | Prefers full sun, well draining soil, and regular watering | Pickling, seasoning fish, and fresh in salads |
| OREGANO | Hardy, drought-tolerant, and loaded with flavor | Thrives in full sun, well draining soil, and minimal watering | Italian and Mediterranean dishes, homemade spice blends, and infused oils |
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Herbs
Growing herbs is simple and rewarding, but a few common missteps can slow down their growth or reduce their flavor and productivity.
Many beginner gardeners unknowingly overwater, plant at the wrong time, or forget to harvest regularly, all of which can affect their plants’ health. By understanding and avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure a thriving, low maintenance herb garden that provides fresh flavors and benefits year-round.
Here are five key pitfalls to watch out for and how to fix them.
Ignoring Soil Quality – Use rich, well draining soil with compost for the best results.
Overwatering – Herbs prefer well drained soil and don’t like sitting in water.
Lack of Sunlight – Most herbs need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Not Harvesting Regularly – Trimming herbs encourages more growth and prevents them from going to seed too soon.
How to Harvest and Store Fresh Herbs
The art of harvesting and storing herbs transforms your garden's bounty into a year round culinary treasure.
Whether you're snipping fresh leaves for tonight's dinner, drying bundles for winter use, or creating herb infused oils for your pantry, proper harvesting and storage techniques help preserve both flavor and medicinal properties.
With a few simple methods, you can capture the essence of your herb garden's peak season and enjoy its gifts long after the growing season ends:
Fresh Use: Snip off leaves and stems as needed. Use right away for the best flavor.
Drying: Tie small bunches together and hang them upside down in a dry, dark place.
Freezing: Chop fresh herbs and freeze them in olive oil or butter cubes for easy cooking.
Herb Infusions: Make homemade herbal teas, infused oils, or DIY herbal remedies.
Simple DIY Projects With Herbs
DIY Herbal Pest Spray – Use basil and oregano to make a natural pest deterrent for plants.
Herb-Infused Oil – Store fresh herbs in olive oil for a flavorful cooking staple.
Lemon Balm Sleep Tea – Dry lemon balm leaves and steep them for a soothing bedtime tea.
Echinacea Tincture – Use echinacea flowers and roots to create a natural immune booster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do i start my raised bed garden?
Start small with one or two raised beds. Choose a sunny location, use high-quality soil, and begin with easy to grow plants like lettuce, basil, or cherry tomatoes. Invest in basic tools and focus on learning the lessons from the garden.
What are the best vegetables to grow in a raised bed?
Raised beds are great for growing herbs, leafy greens (lettuce, kale, spinach), root vegetables (carrots, radishes, beets), and fruiting plants (peppers, tomatoes, strawberries).
What if I don't have a lot of space for a garden?
Even in a small area, you can grow plenty of herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Use vertical gardening (trellises), intensive planting, container gardening (pots) or square-foot gardening to maximize space.
What if im busy and don't have a lot of time?
If you set your garden up the right way and grow the right plants at the right time, you will lessen the time you spend tending your plants
I'm afraid of bugs. What should I do?
Not all bugs are bad! Beneficial insects like ladybugs and bees help your garden thrive. To keep pests away naturally, use companion planting (marigolds deter aphids), row covers. When you use sprays, they kill everything, not just what you don't like.
What should I do if my plants are struggling?
Check for watering issues, pests, soil quality, and sunlight levels. Yellow leaves often mean overwatering; dry, crispy leaves could mean underwatering. Check for pests and hand pick them off.
What should I plant?
Start with easy, quick growing, high-yield plants that fit your space and climate.
