Best Herbs For Your Minnesota Garden

Herbs For Your Minnesota Garden

So long as there is no snow on the ground, you can harvest herbs in your garden. There is nothing more satisfying and simple than snipping off just what you need and enjoying the garden fresh flavor without having to fork out a few bucks per bunch at the market.

Herbs are among the easiest plants to grow. If you have a piece of land to plant them, great, but many actually do better in a container because their prolific nature can be contained. You can also place them right near your kitchen for quick cooking access as well as having them on the balcony.

Here is my list of the ones I use the most, and are the easiest to grow.

Rosemary

Use it fresh or dried — the flavor is fantastic either way. If you grow it in a pot, it will happily move inside when the weather gets too cold. Also, since it likes to dry out between watering, it likes its own space, as there aren't too many other plants that prefer the same treatment.

Thyme

I use this for two main types of cooking,  stews and summer meat grilling marinades, especially with chicken. Thyme is a low growing plant and the plant is very hardy in Minnesota.

 Sage

It is a favorite for seasoning poultry. Best grown in full sun and moist, well-drained potting mix, and with so many choices you cant go wrong.

Parsley

Parsley puts its roots down deep. Be careful to prepare a nice deep bed for it, eight inches or so, and dress it with rich moist soil. Choose a location that gets at least six hours of sun but holds moisture well. When parsley goes dry, it wilts and seldom recovers, so keep it mulched and watered well.

Chives

Truly one of the easiest to grow and one of the most common ones around.  More than likely your neighbor or parents have some you can transplant.  If you do plant it in your garden be careful it does not take off on you.   

Oregano

Oregano plants can be set out once the risk of frost has passed and make sure to put it in a sunny area with well drained soil.  They are very drought tolerant and watch the fertilizer on them as they can handle themselves very well.

Cilantro

This is truly my favorite herb by far!  I love the taste, smell, and ease of growing it, but I like to harvest it!  Yes, that sounds crazy, but here is why.  When I take it in my hands and rub it back and forth the smell it gives off is one of the best I have ever had the pleasure of having. Keep it trimmed back for lots of new growth.

Basil

Basil is a great herb for your container garden, and one of the most popular in the garden.  Keep it moist, and with some pinching back as you take some it will flourish for months to come.

If you have any garden questions please feel free to email us  info@mngardens.com  or if you have any tips please share them with us, we would love to post them.