Creative Tips for a Culinary Herb Garden

Digital image from The Cloisters Collection, 1925, courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Now is the time when a tiny patch of earth seems most full of potential. Among the ruffled blooms and tasty vegetables that may soon fill your yard or community garden, carve a section for culinary herbs, and you might just transform the scent and flavor of your warm weather cooking. Since herbs grow best when snipped often, the more you use your herb garden, the greater the rewards.

Plan a Garden Around Favorite Main Dishes

When considering which plants to choose, think about the meals that carry you through the spring and summer. Do you prefer orecchiette with pesto? Consider planting basil, which is quite forgiving even to novice gardeners. Even if you prefer your pasta with tomato-based sauces, basil certainly will find its way into the mix. Grow it beside parsley, which prefers about the same generous amount of water, and oregano so that you can gather handfuls of each on your way into the kitchen.

Throughout the year, Mexican dishes are among my most-loved, and when the weather is prime for outdoor planting, I take advantage of the opportunity to grow cilantro. Another staple of Mexican cuisine is cumin, which grows best in warm climates, so make sure to factor in the hardiness zone where you live before planting. This interactive map gives you an overview of U.S. zones and allows you to click on a particular area for more detail. Fortunately nurseries and garden centers stock herbs that grow well locally, but when selecting seeds from a catalog, this information is quite helpful.

Grow for a Green Goddess

Traditionally made with mayonnaise and sour cream, green goddess dressing can be lightened up as a buttermilk vinaigrette, such as in this recipe. The abundance of fresh herbs imparts a bright, fresh flavor that is a real standout, and gives you a chance to use up some of your bounty. To achieve the distinctive green for which the dressing was named, grow basil, chives, and tarragon.

Many herbs play well together, making warmer months times for dressings, sauces, and other toppings that turn up the green. With this being the season of grilled meats, herb mixtures are a delicious way to switch up the traditional barbecue sauce routine. Instead of slathering meat in a tangy tomato-based mixture, serve it with gremolata, an Italian mixture of garlic, parsley, and lemon zest. For an Argentinian or Uruguayan twist, try chimichurri, which prominently features parsley and oregano.

Beyond Food: Cocktails and Mocktails

An aromatic garden tells us how to use it. Not only are herbs delicious, they have the ability to completely transform our perception of flavor. Sprigs of mint floating at the top of a mojito intensify its flavor as much as the muddled leaves at the bottom. In the same way, smoky thyme adds to the caramelized qualities of this grapefruit brûlée mocktail. Before you sip your way through spring and summer, take a moment to plant the herbs that are essential to your list of warm weather beverages.

Even the tiniest spaces offer the room to grow something. Whether you tend to a window pot of rosemary or a balcony overflowing with herbs, the coming months will be filled with treats more aromatic and delicious.