Five Best Multi-Purpose Herbs to Plant in Your Garden
INSIDE: As an experienced gardener, herbalist, and aromatherapist, I’m sharing my top five favorite multi-purpose herbs to plant in your garden. These herbs are edible, have incredible medicinal properties, and are useful in your garden, too. You’ll love these herbs to plant this year!
Herbs have been grown for thousands of years for their culinary uses. In recent times, more and more people are waking up to the knowledge that many common plants also have some pretty incredibly medicinal properties too. In addition, herbs also have practical uses in the garden, including pest control and soil improvement. In this article, we will discuss the top five multi-purpose herbs that are easy to grow, have medicinal properties, and can be used in the kitchen and garden.
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The Five Best Multi-Purpose Herbs to Plant in Your Garden
Basil (Ocimum basilicum):
Basil is an excellent herb to grow in your garden, as it is both easy to grow and versatile in its uses. This herb is commonly used in Italian cuisine, such as in pasta sauces and pesto. It also has traditional medicinal properties and has been used for thousands of years. Basil contains essential oils that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it useful in treating respiratory infections and digestive issues. Additionally, when planted in your garden, basil can repel pests such as mosquitoes and flies when planted alongside other plants.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis):
Rosemary is another multi-purpose herb that is easy to grow and has an aroma that is refreshing, invigorating, and is loved by millions. This herb is commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, such as in roasted meats and vegetables. Medicinally, rosemary has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful in treating conditions such as arthritis and improving memory. For practical garden uses, rosemary can even repel pests such as snails and slugs when planted in the garden.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris):
Thyme is a versatile herb that is used in a variety of cuisines, including French and Mediterranean. I love steeping thyme in my water and even infusing it into honey for the delightful flavor! This herb has antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it useful in treating respiratory infections and skin conditions. In the garden, thyme can be used in the to help repel pests such as cabbage worms and spider mites.
Sage (Salvia officinalis):
Sage is an herb that is also used often in Italian and Mediterranean cuisines. And, we all know that stuffing at Thanksgiving time just wouldn’t be the same without some sage! It’s also excellent on roasted meats and helps our bodies digest these heavier meals. Sage has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to treat sore throats and menstrual cramps. Sage is another excellent herb that repels pests such as mosquitoes and cabbage moths.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata):
Mint is a refreshing herb that is commonly used in teas, desserts, and cocktails. Mints have antimicrobial properties and can be used to treat digestive issues and headaches. They’re also very supportive of the nervous system, including being both calming and uplifting. The essential oils are very anti-inflammatory and are often used in pain relieving preparations. Additionally, these two mints can be used in the garden to repel pests such as ants and aphids.
How to Grow These Five Wonder Herbs in Your Garden
Growing Basil:
Basil is an annual herb that is easy to grow from seed or transplants. This herb prefers well-drained soil and full sun but can also tolerate some shade. Basil can be harvested throughout the growing season by pinching off the leaves. To promote bushier growth, pinch off the top of the plant when it reaches six inches tall.
It’s best to pinch, prune, and harvest before the flowers emerge, and this will also keep the plant’s leaves sweeter. As the energy from the plant transfers from the leaves to the flowers, the leaves become more bitter. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing in terms of digestive support, but for flavor, you’ll want to harvest when the plant’s not blooming.
Image by Becky Phan via Unsplash.com
Growing Rosemary:
Rosemary is a perennial herb that is best grown from a cutting rather than seed. This herb prefers well-drained soil and full sun but can also tolerate some shade. Rosemary can be harvested throughout the growing season, and really all year round, by snipping off the leaves. To promote bushier growth, prune back the plant in the spring.
Even though rosemary is a perennial herb, it may need to be grown as an annual in colder climates. In zone 8, where I lived for a very long time, I grew rosemary just fine outdoors all year round, and the bushes were enormous! When I moved to a zone 5a climate, I need to grow my rosemary in a large pot, and I bring it in during the winter months. Luckily, it’s a pretty easy herb to grow indoors!
Image by Julian Hochgesang via Unsplash
Growing Thyme:
Thyme is a perennial herb that is easy to grow from seed or transplants. This herb prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Thyme can be harvested throughout the growing season by snipping off the leaves. To promote bushier growth, prune back the plant in the spring. I’ve found that when I don’t prune my thyme back, it becomes very spindly the next season. You can keep your thyme looking gorgeous by doing this simple thing.
To harvest your thyme, just snip stems and lay them out to dry. If they’re flowering (and the flowers are sweetly purple), this is fine, in my opinion. You don’t have to be as careful with your thyme harvest as with your basil.
Growing Sage:
Sage is another perennial herb that is easy to grow from seed or transplants. Sage can also be grown from cuttings left in water. I’ve had many nice sage plants root this way. This herb prefers well-drained soil and full sun.
Sage can be harvested throughout the growing season by snipping off the leaves. For an easier and larger harvest if you plant to dry your herbs, you can cut the stems with the leaves on them, lay them out to dry or hang them up. When completely dry, just garble the leaves off by running your fingers up the stem.
To promote bushier growth, prune back the plant in the spring.
Growing Spearmint and Peppermint:
Mint is a perennial herb that can be grown from seed or transplants. This herb prefers moist soil and partial shade but can also tolerate full sun. Mint can be harvested throughout the growing season by snipping off the leaves. Like sage, for a larger harvest cut the stems and dry, then garble the leaves to save in an airtight glass jar for later use.
To promote bushier growth, pinch back the stems regularly. However, mint is known for spreading quickly and can take over a garden if not contained. These two mints are sometimes reviled because they can be so invasive. To prevent a mint invasion, plant mint in a container or separate area of the garden.
Image by RensD via Unsplash
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Final Thoughts on These Five Best Multi-Purpose Herbs for Your Garden
Growing multi-purpose herbs in your garden can provide a variety of benefits. These herbs not only add flavor to your meals but also have medicinal properties and can serve practical uses in the garden, such as pest control and soil improvement. In my opinion, the top five multi-purpose herbs for a garden with the above qualities are basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, and peppermint/spearmint. These herbs are easy to grow, and with a little care, can provide an abundant harvest throughout the growing season. So, why not add these versatile herbs to your garden and reap their benefits?
Do you have favorite herbs that serve multiple purposes? I only stuck with five for the purposes of this article, and there are truly many, many more. I’d love your thoughts on this! Do you have some different favorites?
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There are hundreds of article on Healing Harvest Homestead! I hope you’ll explore my website and my growing YouTube channel!
Hugs, Health, and Self-Reliance,
Heidi
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