A Kitchen That Begins Outdoors
The morning sun is streaming through the windows as I open the kitchen door to reach for herbs growing in terracotta pots just outside. It takes me less than a minute to snip some chives for our eggs and pinch some basil for our lunch later. Herbs are something I use almost every day, and most people don’t realize how simple it can be to learn how to grow herbs in the South.
Homegrown herbs add a lot more than flavor to our food; they add a connection to the way we cook and eat each day. Learning how to grow herbs in the South is something anyone can do. You can cook differently, without changing much at all.
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The Best Herbs to Grow in a Southern Garden
The South has a long growing season, which means we can grow a wide variety of herbs successfully. There are a few key things to keep in mind before deciding which ones are best for your garden.
Everyday Culinary Herbs to Keep on Hand
The most common herbs to grow are ones that you’ll use frequently in your own cooking.
Basil is one of the most common herbs to grow in the Southern garden. It’s extremely easy to grow, and it appears often in summer dishes. Pinch leaves from the top of your basil plant as you need them.
Parsley is another garden favorite. It tolerates heat well and can survive mild winters in the Southern climate. Harvest parsley for your recipes by trimming the outer stems.
Chives are a beginner-friendly herb if you want to start an herb garden. They can be cut frequently, and even the flowers are edible.
Heat-Tolerant Herbs That Thrive in Southern Climates
The Southern summer heat is something to consider when you start an herb garden in the South. Heat-tolerant herbs will thrive and reward you with abundant flavor.
Plants like rosemary, thyme, and oregano prefer full, direct sun. These are heat and drought tolerant options if you’re looking for plants that do well under the Southern sun.
Herbs to Grow with Care in the South
There are a few herbs to carefully consider before deciding to include them in your Southern herb garden.
Mint is a favorite herb for gardeners to pick up at the garden center, but it should be planted with extreme care. Due to its aggressive growing habits, mint should never be planted directly into the ground. Mint is best planted in a pot and can even be grown indoors.
We often think of cilantro in dishes with summer tomatoes and jalapeños. However, cilantro is a cool season crop in the South. While you may see it being sold in the garden center each spring, in the South it is best planted in the fall.
Dill is a popular companion plant for summer garden vegetables, but it does have a few attributes to consider. Dill tends to bolt in extreme heat, and it can attract unwanted pests like aphids.
How Southern Climate Affects Herb Growth
The Southern climate makes it possible to grow herbs for much of the year, but it also requires a closer look at heat, sun, and moisture.
Understanding Sun, Heat, and Humidity in the South
Plants are often described as needing full sun or partial shade. The tags on many popular garden herbs will call for full sun. However, full sun in the South is vastly different than full sun in other parts of the country.
In the peak of summer, full sun can be damaging to some garden plants. Look into whether your plants could benefit from some afternoon relief from the heat by giving them shade cloths or finding an area that is screened from harsh sun at the end of the day.
The humidity is also something to consider in many areas of the South. When humidity is high, plants tend to stay wet, and that’s not a good thing.
Common Challenges When Growing Herbs in the South
A few common problems while growing herbs can be easily avoided by taking some preventative measures.
Bolting can occur if a plant gets stressed by too much heat or light. To keep plant production focused on foliage, and not flowers, check to make sure it is placed in the right light exposure.
Powdery mildew is very common, but it can be avoided by watering at the base of the plant and avoiding the leaves. Be sure to leave enough space in between plants so that air can circulate to dry leaves off properly.
Our instinct is to keep our plants watered, but overwatering can lead to big problems, including root rot. Research what kind of watering your herbs prefer. Some, like mint, prefer the soil to be moist. Others, like oregano, prefer dry soil.
Where to Plant Herbs: Pots, Raised Beds, or In-Ground
Sometimes the hardest part is deciding where to plant herbs. Depending on your soil and the space you have available, consider which of these options is best for you.
Growing Herbs in Pots Near the Kitchen
My favorite place to grow herbs is right outside the kitchen. I pick up terracotta pots as I’m out and about at thrift stores and estate sales. It’s so convenient to grab a handful of fresh mint right outside your kitchen door.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” often applies to the garden. When you can easily see your herbs from the room you spend most of your time in, you’re more likely to use them and remember to water them.
Planting Herbs in Raised Beds for Better Drainage
We may be blessed with a long growing season in the South, but many of us also deal with difficult clay soil. One solution is to create raised garden beds with soil more suitable for plants to spread their roots and receive nutrients.
Amend raised garden beds with aged manure and natural composted materials to give your herbs the best chances to succeed.
Growing Herbs In-Ground for Long-Term Growth
There are a few herbs that thrive when planted directly into the ground. Hardy herbs that can withstand mild winters and drought conditions are the best choices for planting in-ground.
Rosemary and lavender can live for ten to fifteen years in the right growing conditions. Oregano can live for five to seven years as a perennial shrub.
How to Use Fresh Herbs in Everyday Cooking
Once the herbs are growing well, they naturally become part of what’s happening in the kitchen each day.
Cooking with What You Grow
The easiest way to use your fresh herbs is by swapping them out for dried herbs in recipes you already use and love. A roasted chicken with fresh sage or rosemary is a simple way to add depth without changing the dish.
Fresh herbs elevate everyday recipes like salads and roasted potatoes. Even a stick of softened butter can be transformed by mixing finely chopped herbs into it.
One of my favorite ways to use fresh herbs is also one of the simplest. Fresh tomato slices layered with mozzarella, basil leaves, and balsamic glaze are the simplest way to use what’s growing outside.
Building Flavor with Fresh Herbs
If you plant several kinds of herbs, you’ll have countless ways to create flavor combinations. A simple way to think about combing herbs is that woody herbs pair well with other woody herbs, and soft herbs pair well with other soft herbs.
Another way to combine herbs is to think about regional cuisines. Italian dishes often use a combination of basil, oregano, and sage. A delicious herb combination for fish is dill, tarragon, and lemon balm.
Use your favorite recipes as a guide for combining herbs and adding depth of flavor to your everyday dishes.
How to Start an Herb Garden in the South
Before you head to the garden center to buy seeds or plants, here are a few quick considerations to give you the most successful results for growing herbs in Southern climates.
- Soil type matters. Clay or poorly draining soil may be better suited to pots or raised beds.
- Water needs vary. Some herbs prefer dry soil, while others need consistent moisture.
- Light exposure should be considered carefully, especially in areas with intense afternoon sun.
- Determine what you’ll use. There’s no point in planting herbs that you won’t use. Stick to what you normally cook with.
- Evaluate accessibility to the kitchen. Plant your herbs in a spot that is easy to reach when you’re cooking.
I’ve put together a simple, one-page guide you can keep on hand as you plan your herb garden.
A Kitchen That Feels Lived In
Every time I bring herbs into my kitchen, I feel a little bit like a magician. The sprig of fragrant mint that I use in my summer garden sangria is just the trick I needed to create a refreshing treat to share with my neighbors on the patio during a hot summer evening.
Let herbs be your little magic tricks from the garden in your kitchen this summer. All you need is a little pot, a little sun, and the right amount of water for the herbs you choose.
If you’re learning how to grow herbs in the South or planning your next meal, you may also enjoy:
Southern Garden Sangria: A Vintage-Inspired Summer Sip
Fall Garden Prep: Essential Tasks for a Beautiful Start to Spring