Growing a small herb garden at home during the COVID-19 lockdown is not only a great way to relax, but also a practical way to ensure fresh greens for your daily meals.
If you're spending more time at home during this outbreak, consider planting a few herbs. They grow well both indoors and outdoors — a much better option than constantly scrolling through the news.
These herbs can be used to enhance the flavor of various dishes. Here are 5 steps to grow herbs at home, as suggested by cnet.com:
One of the best things about having a home herb garden is being able to use fresh herbs whenever you need them. Making pasta or roasted chicken? Just pick a few leaves from your basil, sage, or thyme plant.
Pots allow you to place your herbs wherever you like — on your porch, kitchen floor, or even a shelf.
Herb pots can be made from clay, wood, plastic, or metal. But most importantly, make sure they have proper drainage holes. Every herb container must have a drainage system — this is a key rule for successful herb gardening.
Wide-mouthed pots may look pretty, but they are not always ideal. Without proper drainage, herb roots can rot easily.
Choose pots that match the size of the herbs you're growing. Oversized pots require more effort to manage, while undersized ones can cause root binding, which prevents the plant from absorbing enough nutrients to grow.
If you're new to herb gardening, start with easy-to-grow options like parsley, mint, and basil.
These herbs grow quickly and don’t be afraid to harvest them often — they grow back fast. Here are a few beginner-friendly herbs and their characteristics:
Basil
Basil is easy to grow and loves sunlight. It thrives in nutrient-rich soil with regular watering.
Mint
Mint grows quickly and spreads easily in pots or garden beds. It tolerates some shade but does best with strong sunlight.
Parsley
Chefs love parsley for its strong flavor. It grows well in moist soil and containers with good drainage, and it prefers shady areas.
Thyme
Though not common in all Vietnamese households, thyme is aromatic and drought-tolerant. It needs lots of sunlight and well-draining soil. It’s often found in regions like Da Lat or Sa Pa.
If you're not an experienced gardener, using young starter plants is recommended instead of growing from seeds. This method saves you 2–3 weeks and helps you harvest sooner.
Always use potting soil, not soil from your garden. Potting mix offers better drainage, is lighter and more aerated, while garden soil tends to be dense and heavy.
If you don't have ready-made potting mix, use a trowel to dig and break up soil to make it more suitable for containers.
To keep your herbs healthy and growing, consistent care is essential. With proper attention, you can harvest your herbs regularly right from your own home garden.
Follow the steps above for planting and caring properly, and you’ll enjoy fresh, flavorful herbs in your meals every day.
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