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Growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices is one of the best practices that give you the fruit of your efforts, quite literally. While growing fruits and vegetables can require a lot of time and also require a vast land, adding spices to your kitchen garden can be extremely rewarding.
Whether you have a huge lawn, a backyard, or space to put up pots on your balcony, you can make the most of the space by growing spices. From the all-time favourite herbs like cilantro to spices like fennel seeds, there are a lot of options you can choose from. So, gather your gardening tools and grow the spices with the best yields in your kitchen garden.
Basil
Known for its aroma, Basil is one of the most frequently used herbs in Italian cuisine. It can also be used to add to your water to spice it slightly and enhance your water intake. To grow it in your kitchen garden, all you need to do is plant it in a spot which gets 6-8 hours of sunlight. Also, make sure that the soil is moist and has a slightly acidic pH.
Mint
Pudina, also known as mint, is a spice that is known for its cooling and refreshing properties. It can either be grown from seeds or cuttings. Since they prefer moist soil and slightly cooler temperatures, you can plant them at the onset of winter. Also, note that the mint plant can spread quickly, so it is better if you plant it in a container and place the pot in partial shade.
Thyme
Thyme is one of the most versatile spices that is super easy to grow. Being a perennial herb, it can tolerate cold weather conditions and even extreme summer weather. Thyme can grow well in partial shade, so you can pot a plant and place it in your kitchen window as well. Just note that thyme is drought-resistant and requires minimal watering, so check if the soil is moist before watering regularly.
Cilantro
Cilantro, or dhaniya is one of the most essential spices in Indian cuisine. Be it a simple bowl of khichdi or an elaborate curry, every dish is complete with the garnishing of chopped cilantro leaves. If you want an unlimited supply of fresh dhaniya, the winter season is the best time to plant the spice. You can sow them at a sunny spot, water and fertilise regularly, and in just about 3-4 weeks, the leaves will be ready to be harvested.
Parsley
Thanks to the culinary uses of Parsely, a popular garnish and its medicinal value of having anti-inflammatory properties, you must consider planting parsley in your home garden. Since it just requires 4-6 hours of sunlight, you can conveniently place the pot and keep adding balanced fertilisers and water for healthy produce.
Fennel
Fennel, or saunf is a versatile spice that is known for its licorice-like flavour. Both fennel seeds and leaves are commonly used in Indian cooking and traditional medicine. If you want to plant it in your kitchen garden, all you’ll need to do is directly sow the seeds in well-drained and slightly acidic soil. Once the plant is 10-12 inches high, it’s ready to be harvested.
