Why You Should Grow Herbs

I love when I can walk through a garden and brush against herbs.

 I love the fragrance that wafts over everything and lingers on me even when I leave the garden; it makes me smile every time. 

But you know what I love even more?

 How awesome fresh herbs are.  Store bought cilantro and basil are only a shadow of the complex fresh flavor your fresh cut herbs will yield. The same is true of the home grown and dried herbs.

If you’ve been on the fence about growing herbs or adding to your herb garden I’m here to talk you into grown as many herbs as you can cram onto your place. 

Why? 

 Because they will make you happy. They will transform your simplest cheater meals into gourmet dishes. They make me smile and I think they will make you smile too.

 Those aren't herbs but I needed pictures, so just pretend "Armenian" is some kind of fancy basil.

They will be cheaper

Have you actually looked at how much herbs cost? 

Yikes! And if you want organic they cost double or even triple that. 

When you grow your own you will only have to buy them once a year, or once ever for many kinds. Let’s face it, eating real food can be expensive. 

Like crying-because-you-just-want-to-feed-your-family-well-but-can’t-afford-organic expensive. 

 These are the sorts of things you can easily do at home to stretch your food budget.

They will taste better

They will, and they will make your food taste better. When they taste better that also means that more of the health benefits are intact. Which is great in general but super important if you use herbs for home remedies.

They are easy to grow

I should maybe say instead that they are hard to kill. 

Alright, you have a black thumb? Buy already started plants and it will be even harder for you to kill them.

 Yes, there will always be something you can’t grow where you live but there will be lots of other things you can grow and you aren’t going to know what they are unless you get out there and experiment.   

Most herbs are relatively pest free meaning that growing them organically won’t be a struggle. Extra bonus.

Many are perennial or will self seed

You can plant tender perennials like rosemary in pots and bring them inside during the winter. There are plenty of other herbs that are tough as nails and will come back every year. Others, like cilantro and dill, will reseed themselves if you lightly cultivate the area they grew in the year before in the spring.  

What does this mean? 

If you mulch plants, save seed and plan a little you can avoid buying herbs or replacement plants for a very long time. Which will save you even more money. 

They can be great habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects.
You will notice right away how much the bees love your herbs.

 Many have lots of tiny nectar rich flowers that feed all your pollinators and lots of other beneficials you want hanging around your garden to help control pests.

 Oh, and those flowers make awesome edible garnish.

They will make you smile. The bees will thank you, your food will be awesome and you will save money. Alright I’m out of reasons.  Comment, share why you grow herbs!

This post is participating in the HomeAcre, Savory Saturdays, Green Thumb Thursday and From The Farm blog hops, check them out to find other great blogs like ours!