Top 10 Herbs for Your Frugal Garden

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Herbs are expensive to buy. When purchasing them dried in their little bottles or canisters, you do not know how old they are. When purchasing them organic and fresh, they are not always the freshest. You also cannot be sure that organic is truly organic.

Growing herbs in your frugal garden is inexpensive, gives you fresh herbs much of the year and allows you to preserve them knowing that they will be replaced each harvest season, giving you the freshest preserved meal add-ins possible. Herbs are also easy to grow within the home year-round, allowing you to have fresh herbs whenever you want them.

These starter herbs will give you quite the garden, and  help you to save a lot of money at the grocery store.

1. Basil: A wonderful culinary herb, basil comes in a number of varieties. Italian and Asian cuisines often feature this beauty.  While it is common to grow and use sweet basil, other types will be worth your while to consider as well. Some of these types of basil are lemon, spicy globe and red ruben.  Preserve this herb in the freezer or in oil, or add it to pesto for freezing in ice cube trays.
2. Chamomile: This herb makes a great tea! Chamomile is often used for aiding minor sleep problems. German and Roman types of this herb are popular, though there are others to choose from. Harvest this chamomile just before the flowers are in full bloom, and preserve them by drying or freezing.
3. Chives: Chives are a member of the onion family, and add complimentary flavor to potatoes. The flowers are tasty in salads.  Grow both the common variety and garlic chives, as they are easy. Cut them to 2 inches from ground level one to three times a year, and they will continue to provide wonderful harvests until autumn.
4. Dill: Used when making pickles, and in many other recipes, this herb will make a wonderful addition to any herb garden. While used as an herb by many of us, dill seeds are actually considered a spice. I still wanted to add it here, because I do not foresee an upcoming article on spices. (Though you never know.)  Preserve by freeze-drying, but use it within a few months.
5. Fennel: This is a perennial herb with small, yellow flowers. The herb is both flavorful and aromatic, and the dried seeds are considered a spice. The bulb of this plant has many nutrients, including folate and calcium, and is referred to as  a root vegetable. Preserve fennel either by drying or freezing, or consider making an herb vinegar for flavoring salads throughout the winter.
6. Garlic: Also a member of the onion family, garlic is known for helping with many known health issues. As a culinary herb, it is used in a variety of dishes including soups and pasta. The bulb, flower, leaves and head are all edible, though the bulb has the best flavor. To preserve, use varieties that keep well into the winter. Consider a type of garlic that is able to be braided and hung in the kitchen or pantry.
7. Lavender: The flowers of this herb are often candied. They can be used in cake decorating as well. Teas are also made with this herb. Harvest once the flowers have turned purple, and preserve by drying.
8. Mints: This aromatic herb helps with stomach issues, and has culinary uses as well. It is added to teas and soups, and makes a great jelly. Preserve this herb by drying, in jelly or syrup, or by freezing.
9. Rosemary: A perennial herb, rosemary has needle-like leaves that look something like pine needles. This is a highly aromatic herb that is used when barbecuing, and in a number of other types of recipes. This herb provides the body with calcium and iron. Hang rosemary in small bundles in the kitchen to always have it on hand. Dry the herb and place it in canning jars for winter use.
10. Sage: An excellent aroma, and very tasty. Add to soups and stews, and roasted dinners. Sage is often preserved in an herb vinegar, for use throughout the year. It can also be preserved by freezing or drying.

 

 

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