Gardening falls within my list of dream activities of what I would do in a life where I had plenty of free time and didn’t spend my days in an office. Unfortunately, according to my bank account, I need to keep working… In the meantime, I took a dabble in developing my green thumb by planting my first herb garden :)

When my boyfriend surprised me with a garden box he built for my birthday, I was impressed and very excited at the opportunity to grow my first garden. In this post, I’m sharing how my project went and the tips I received along the way from family and friends :)

Why fresh herbs?

“Herbs have been used since ancient times for their medicinal properties, mostly concentrated into teas and tinctures. More recently, their healthful value as a food ingredient has been realized. For one, herbs add a burst of flavor to food, allowing you to cut back on salt without sacrificing taste. And several herbs, including parsley, have significant amounts of the essential vitamins A, C and K.”
(source)

Herbs act as an anti-inflammatory that packs a nutritious punch when you’re looking to heal from the inside out. For those looking to repair their gut, herbs promote healing through internal cleansing.

“Thyme and oregano have antibacterial properties and can be useful if you have an overgrowth of yeast.” (source)

Gardening Tutorial

Step 1: Lining the flower box to protect the wood

Day one was spent prepping the garden box and shopping for herbs. It helped to break the project up into two days. I lined the garden box to prevent deterioration of the wood.

Step 2: Planning out where the herbs will go

Under the guidance of an expert gardener, my bestie talked me through how to space out the herbs so the roots would have enough space to grow.

Creating a special container for mint and thyme (both herbs have a tendency to take over). I included a divider so they wouldn’t strangle each other, while making it easy and convenient to water them.

Step 3: Planting!

After spending a Saturday to prep the garden box and plan where the herbs would go, I spent a Sunday doing the actual planting.

Now I enjoy fresh herbs in my meals and it’s as simple as stepping out on the balcony and having my pick of what sounds good. I have learned that a little goes a long way. The herbs are so much more flavorful than the dried herbs I’m used to.

Have you planted anything this growing season that you’re proud of?