Tuesday was Earth Day! I love this day for lots of reasons. One reason is that it reminds me spring is here, and warmer days are ahead. With the arrival of spring, I planted herbs over the weekend. Herbs are easy to grow. It is hard for even me to kill them! By growing my own, I save money and avoid waste. Purchasing fresh herbs can cost anywhere between $2.00 to $3.00 a package, and they may spoil before I can use them. I planted marjoram, parsley, oregano, thyme, cilantro, rosemary, and basil. Choose anything that you like. You may purchase herb plants with your SNAP benefits at local farmers’ markets or you can grow your own from seeds. Herbs grow well in your yard or in a pot if you live in an apartment.
Getting started:
Pots (6 to 8 inches)
Potting soil
Seeds
Small hand shovel or spoon
Rocks, gravel, or broken clay pots
Steps:
- Place a few rocks in the bottom of the pot. This help with drainage.
- Using your spoon or shovel, fill the pot with soil (leave two to three inches at the top).
- Place four or five seeds in each pot.
- Cover seeds with ½ inch of soil.
- Moisten with water.
ONIE Tip: Harvest leaves by cutting with scissors.
To help plants grow and stay healthy, water regularly and place in an area with plenty of sun. It may help to turn the plant pots to keep plants growing evenly on all sides. When the plants reach about 6 to 8 inches, you can begin to harvest the leaves for cooking. Herbs are easy to use in cooking, and pair well with many different foods. For example, marjoram pairs well with chicken, carrots, corn, green beans, and peas.
Karla and the ONIE Project
ONIE Project 