Did you know that herb plants can be found at your local garden center or farmer’s market for just a few dollars a plant? Plus, herb plants are perennials, so you never need to worry about replanting them the next season as they will come back in full force on their very own. Now that is value! So what does this mean to you? It means that herb plants can be a great addition to your garden, where they will not only add visual beauty but can be used for all sorts of practical reasons in your kitchen as well! Take a look below at 7 fun and frugal herbs you can grow and eat this season. It is not too late to add herbs to your garden or even incorporate into a year long indoor herb garden.
7 Fun and Frugal Herbs You Can Grow and Eat:
Mint – Grow spearmint or zesty peppermint and use it for a whole slew of uses including garnishing beverages, spicing up your salads, or mixing with watermelon chunks for a cool and refreshing dessert. Muddle your mint and add it or chop it fine and toss it in. Freeze it in ice cubes to fancy up cocktails or lemonade as well.
Chives– Chop these onion flavored greens and use in your dips and salsas. Or, mix in with oils, butter, or cream cheese for an instant boost to your spreads. Just chop the stems fine and toss them in. Add them to potato dishes, sprinkle onto baked potatoes, or even bake vegetables sprinkled with chives.
Basil – Basil is perfect for seasoning tomato salads, zesting up your green salads, or adding to your pasta dishes whether they be hot or cold. Just chop and add as needed for a quick boost. Add a little olive oil, basil, tomato, and onion for a quick summer salad everyone will love.
Rosemary – Rosemary is ideal for perking up your meat dishes. Simply add rosemary springs to marinates or sprinkle chopped rosemary onto meat before grilling or roasting. It pairs exceptionally well with pork and even roasted potatoes.
Cilantro – Chop up cilantro and add to salsas and guacamole dips. Or you can add it to steamed rice and veggies for an extra boost of flavor you won’ forget! Cilantro can also be added to soups and stews for extra and inexpensive flavor.
Lemon balm – Lemon balm can be added to teas or even just hot water for a soothing and sweet flavor. Just break off a couple of leaves and toss in. The refreshing flavor is also stimulating and therapeutic, giving you relief from common cold symptoms.
Oregano – This herb is perfect for tossing into cold salads and pasta dishes. Add it to homemade sauces as well for a savory homemade flavor. It can also be tossed into meat marinades to give them an extra boost.
See how easy it is to use herbs in your everyday cooking? They are so inexpensive, you are better off growing your own fresh herbs as opposed to buying dried varieties for ten times the cost at your local grocer. So head to your local gardening center, or even grow your own from seed (you can find seeds at your local dollar store!) and see what uses you can find for these fun and frugal herbs! You will find they can easily help you stretch your food budget and help you save.
Related: Tips for Growing a Garden on a Dime