If you could grow just one herb, what would it be? Pick 3 herbs for beginners.

1. 83

   Patsybellposted 8 years ago

   If you could grow just one herb, what would it be? Pick 3 herbs for beginners.
   
   There is no point in growing tomatoes if you don't grow basil. What are the herbs you grow to eat?
   
   

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   Arabella Drakesonposted 8 years ago

   Basil because it can be used in so many dishes, especially Italian ones. Cilantro because it adds great flavour to many dishes, and thyme because it goes with meat dishes like chicken.

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      Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Great suggestions. Everything tastes better when these herbs are fresh from the garden.

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   aesta1posted 8 years ago

   Rosemary because it goes well with my favourite dishes, parsley because I use it all the time, and mint because I use it for tea.

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      Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I think those are great choices. I have 4 kinds of mint and it would be hard to give any of them up. Thanks for you advice.

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   Jodahposted 8 years ago

   I love the smell and taste of parsley, so would choose it.

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      Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I love parsley. It wouldn't be summer without tabouli. Thank you.

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5. 84

   Howie Wattsposted 8 years ago

   Basil, if I could only grow one. Basil, Oregano, and Tarragon if I had to pick three. All three are versatile and used in many different types of dishes...from sauces, to meats to seafood etc. However...I can not live without my garlic and I may want to have cumin on hand as well :-)

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      Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I've only started growing garlic in the past few years. Howie, it was a surprise to me how easy it is to grow. We could never limit ourselves to just three, could we? Thank you.

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6. 84

   liesl5858posted 8 years ago

   If I grow just one herb, I would pick mint because I like the smell of it and the taste when used in cooking. Here are my pick for 3 herbs for beginners, they are rosemary, mint and spring onions. I like this three herbs because they are easy to grow especially for beginners and I use them a lot in my cooking. I use a lot of spring onions in my cooking especially stir fries or salads. Rosemary, I use with roast lamb. I like drinking mint tea.

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      Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I add  mint to my tea, and use it in some recipes, but never just simple mint tea. I like your pick because it is so versatile. Great Suggestion.

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   Carb Divaposted 8 years ago

   There is a big difference between what I would like to grow, and what is possible {smile}. My favorites are basil, dill, and rosemary.

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      Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Ah, Carb Diva, I hear you. Thanks for the reality check. If I can help you grow some herbs you would like to grow, please ask.

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   sallieannluvslifeposted 8 years ago

   Ooooh...good question!!  That's a hard one for me because I make so many different dishes using so many different herbs!  I guess, like many others, I would choose basil, but parsley, cilantro, thyme, rosemary, chives and oregano are all my favorites and the ones I grow to eat!

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      Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Once folks are at your level of expertise, a limit of three is just wrong. sallieannluvslife, are your herbs gown in an herb garden or alongside vegetables and flowers?

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      sallieannluvslifeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Patsybell!  I actually converted a flower bed into an herb bed for the bulk of my herbs, but I do grow a few - like chives and sometimes mint (spreads like wildfire) - in planters.  How about you?

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      Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      My herbs surround the patio in tiered raised beds. There is some shade for tender herbs. The mints are planted in long round terra cotta drain pipes for control. In the garden, are many herbs planted as companion plants and to attract pollinators.

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      sallieannluvslifeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Wow!  That sounds awesome!  We have really sandy soil here so I had to convert to raised  beds for my garden last year (not my strawberries).  Maybe I will take some hints from you and plant some herbs as companion plants in my garden this year.

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9. 81

   elle444posted 8 years ago

   Basil, parsley and rosemary.  They're all easy to grow (in full sun) and make everything I cook taste better!  The other herbs I grow are thyme and oregano, which are also lovely.  This  year i'll grow all of these and will add cilantro!

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      Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Your garden and kitchen must smell heavenly. Thanks for the suggestions.

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      Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      These are the three I love too!

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      Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Faith Reaper Do you grow one or more kinds of basil? I admit, I'll grow at least 3 basils and probably more.

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    ChristinSposted 8 years ago

    Grow to eat? Rosemary, Basil and Sage
    
    Grow medicinally - hmmm comfrey, aloe and tea tree

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       Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Are you growing all these now? You can teach us a lot about medicinal herbs. How about a hub?

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    Lady Guinevereposted 8 years ago

    The easiest and it is also a perennial is Chives and there are a variety of them.  You have regualr chives and then you have garlic chives.  They do really good all the ay up to the first hardy frost.  They do die in the winter but they come back in the spring.  I have gorwn these and even separated them into other pots and given them away and/o made new ones in my garden.  I find it best to grow them in pots and not in the ground.  They are the easiest for beginners.  You can cut them up and put them on your buttered baked potatoes or in salads and much more.
    Lavendar is another herb that is good in all kinds of nosegay products and also in some bathing and smelly stuff.  It is also easy to grow and if grown right in the ground it comes back year after year.
    Sage is another aromatic plant and it also comes back year after year..in some places.

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       Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Those perfect purple chive blooms are the surest sign of spring in my garden. And I love making chive herb vinegar. Thank you.

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    JoanieMRuppel54posted 8 years ago

    Basil because I cook a lot of Mediterranean dishes.  The 3 beginner herbs would be again, basil, rosemary, and chives.

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       Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       I like your choices. It seems like fresh summer herbs just invite Mediterranean cuisine.

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    StoneCircleposted 8 years ago

    For most cooks, parsley can be a basic herb needed in almost every recipe. It is easy to grow, dry & store, and use right off the plant.
    
    If you are into canning, you need to have dill. Dill seeds are very common in canning recipes. Dill weed is great with fish and making salad dressings. Also can be dried and stored for the winter.
    
    If your family loves pasta, basil it is. It also makes a great herbal tea  and loaded with vitamin K.

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       Patsybellposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       I can see sticking to one herb would be a tough decision for you too. I can't even limit myself to one kind of basil. Thank you for your response, fellow herb gardener.

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