Gardening is a passion of many people and is a great recreational activity. It is not something that's only for aesthetic purposes as it also gives great produce that can be utilised in everyday cooking and eating. The best part about home gardening is that it is free from any kind of insecticides and pesticides, and one can always watch for the quality of these herbs.
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There are a lot of herbs that grow the best during monsoon time. It is because these herbs require a hot and humid climate to sustain. If you are looking for the perfect herbs to add to your kitchen garden during monsoon, then here are some options that you can consider.
* Thyme
Thyme belongs to the family of mint and is used in Spanish and Italian cuisine very frequently. Thyme is native to North Africa and is used in a lot of countries for medicinal purposes. This herb grows well in a warm and sunny area with the soil that has been drained quite well. Also, the plant takes a couple of months to develop. So one must make sure that they provide the plant with ample water whenever the soil feels a bit dry. The taste of this herb is very lemony and fresh, which is why it is used as a finishing ingredient to make a lot of dishes. The most common way of using thyme is to sun dry and convert it into a powder form. The only thing that one should remain careful about after planting thyme at home is to be conscious of insect infestation.
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* Parsley
Parsley is another herb that is extremely popular in Italian and Spanish cuisine. The popularity of parsley has also increased quite a bit in India in the past few years. It is used as a garnishing ingredient on the top of pizzas, salads, and pasta. Other than this, the application of this herb is quite varied in the culinary context. The best way to germinate parsley is to soak the seeds overnight first and then plant them the next day. Generally, the germination process takes 3 to 4 weeks. So one has to be very patient with the growth of the plant. After soaking the seeds in the water, a person can plant parsley the next day in the humid soil. The best time to plant parsley is sometime before the monsoon has arrived as it produces a lot of leaves specifically during monsoon. Frequent cutting of parsley leaves leads to even more fresh leaves.
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* Rosemary
Rosemary is a type of shrub that has some woody stems. The life of this plant is pretty long. Planting this for once can give a person an endless supply of rosemary herbs for years to come. Rosemary grows the best when the temperature is hot and extremely humid. Also, the plant requires very well-drained as well as alkaline soil for proper growth. Initially, rosemary was specifically grown in the Mediterranean. However, with time its popularity started spreading a lot. Now rosemary is grown even in slightly cooler countries. Its distinct fragrance and taste is what makes it so special. One must regularly trim the leaves of the rosemary plant for better growth and production. A great way to utilise the flavour of rosemary is to add it to different types of soups.
* Basil
Basil is another great choice for a kitchen garden herb plant as it can be grown both inside and outside. Also, the plant requires a lot of water, sunlight, and humidity. So to make sure that the basil plant grows very well, one needs to first ensure that the soil is damp enough. Also, if one wants to make sure that the growth is more holistic then trimming the plant from time to time is indispensable. Basil is generally paired with tomatoes in a lot of dishes to make appetising food. It is also a very important ingredient that is used to make pesto pasta, pizza, pasta, sauces, and many other such things.
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* Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is a plant that belongs to the mint family as well. The fragrance of this plant is very citrusy and it instantly fills a particular space with a very rejuvenating aroma. Also one needs a lot of sunlight to make sure that the plant grows well. However, to grow lemon balm in a darker and relatively cooler area, one will need to pay a lot of attention. The type of soil required to plant this at home is the one that is properly drained and doesn't have water logging issues. Just plucking fresh leaves from the plant and adding them to one's meal can make a world of difference.