{"id":29564,"date":"2022-04-04T19:32:13","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T19:32:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=29564"},"modified":"2022-04-04T19:32:16","modified_gmt":"2022-04-04T19:32:16","slug":"how-to-grow-herbs-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-to-grow-herbs-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"Flex Your Green Thumb with this Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Your Own Herbs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to develop your green thumb? Here\u2019s a complete guide on <\/em>how to grow herbs<\/em> for beginners\u2014plus the <\/em>health benefits of herbs<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Discovering you can actually<\/em> grow your own food is a pretty magical moment. Maybe it happened to you as a small child watching your grandfather tend to his expansive garden, or maybe it didn\u2019t hit you until you snagged a potted basil plant from Trader Joe’s and managed to keep it alive long enough to make a delicious pesto. Maybe it hasn\u2019t happened for you yet (just wait!).\u00a0 In a world where many of us are insulated from the agricultural process, the act of growing your own food can seem cathartic and downright revolutionary.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been wanting to try your hand at growing edible crops for a while but don\u2019t know where to start, herbs are the gateway you\u2019ve been looking for. Not only are they endlessly useful, but they\u2019re super accessible. Walk into any hardware store or plant nursery on the hunt for seeds, and you\u2019ll find yourself rich with possibilities\u2014from classic options like basil and parsley to more bespoke picks like tarragon and nettle. Another perk? Herbs aren\u2019t picky about their growing conditions. As some of the most adaptable plants out there, herbs can thrive in a variety of different climates and need just the slightest bit of TLC to really take off. Translation: Whether your available garden space is a city balcony or a few sunny acres of land, you can bet your little herbs will be happy either way. Ready to get started? Here\u2019s our guide on how to grow herbs for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n

Why Grow Your Own Herbs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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To some, spending weeks (or even months) tending to sprouts in the hopes of one day adding mint to your smoothie<\/a> may seem a bit excessive\u2014especially considering you\u2019re likely able to have all the herbs you could ever want at your fingertips with just one trip to the grocery store. Still, there\u2019s something to be said for dedicating time and energy towards growing any<\/em> food, including something as simple as herbs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

And who knows? Gardening could be just the hobby you need to slow down and destress a bit from daily life. According to a study by a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service<\/a> specialist, keeping your hands and mind busy by gardening\u2014and spending time in nature\u2014can lead to increased self-esteem, a boosted mood, reduced anger, and lower levels of anxiety and depression. What\u2019s more, a study out of the University of Colorado Boulder<\/a> determined that microorganisms in soil can promote stress resilience and reduce the risk of mood disorders. So not only will you get nutritional benefits from eating whatever you grow, but you can also count on some mental health benefits, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Sustainability is another core consideration when it comes to growing your own herbs. Will growing your own cilantro save the planet? Probably not. But even in some small way, growing your own herbs can help take some of the pressure off of an already taxed global food system that\u2019s suffering at the hands of population increases and climate change. Another perk? Many herbs (think: rosemary, thyme, cilantro, dill, and lavender) are beloved by important pollinators, like bees and butterflies, granting them renewed resources that are untouched by dangerous pesticides. The moral of the story: When you\u2019re growing herbs, you\u2019re not only benefiting your health (and tastebuds)\u2014you\u2019re impacting the world around you.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Health Benefits of Herbs<\/h2>\n\n\n

When it comes to growing herbs for consumption, think of them as one more tool in a holistic toolbox designed to help you achieve your best, healthiest self. \u201cI like to think of herbs as an easy way to add nutrition to meals,\u201d says HUM dietitian and trichologist Samaria Grandberry<\/a>, RDN. \u201cSometimes people can be overwhelmed with trying to get in the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, but I always tell clients that adding in herbs counts as nutrition. They\u2019ve been a cornerstone of different cultures for centuries and are a great way to get in extra minerals and nutrients.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re looking to boost your overall health or target a specific issue (like digestive problems), there\u2019s an herb ready to help. Grandberry sees a lot of clients dealing with inflammatory issues, and credits herbs like turmeric<\/a>, rosemary, peppermint, and lavender with helping quell those flare-ups. \u201cI also love to use aloe vera on the scalp of my clients or recommend it for internal use\u2014the gel can act like a lubricant for people who are dealing with things like inflammatory bowel issues,\u201d she adds. \u201cMarshmallow root is another herb I love\u2014you can add to soups or smoothies to help target digestive issues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a look at some popular, easy herbs to grow and their basic health benefits:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n