Basil

• Fun facts:
  • Rich in antioxidants, which help prevent damage from free radicals
  • Strong antibacterial properties, helping to protect against infections
  • Boasts anti-inflammatory properties, reducing inflammation in the body
  • Contains magnesium, which is great for improving blood flow by promoting relaxation of blood vessels
• Recipes:
  • Basil Pesto
  • Easy Fresh Basil Tomato Pasta
  • Basil Salsa Verde Dip
• How to grow:
  • Choosing the Right Garden Setup
    • Raised Garden Beds: These are easy to manage and provide excellent drainage. Ideal for growing tropical herbs.
    • Potted Plants and Containers: Convenient for indoor and outdoor gardening. Ensure pots have drainage holes.
    • In-Ground Gardens: Suitable if you have well-draining soil. Be mindful of potential root rot.
  • Caring for Tropical Herbs
    • Sunlight: Tropical herbs require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Indoors, place near a sunny window or use grow lights.
    • Temperature: These herbs thrive in temperatures between 80-90°F. Consider growing indoors during cooler months to maintain optimal conditions.
  • Watering Needs
    • Moist Soil: Basil and other tropical herbs prefer consistently moist soil. Water weekly if indoors, or 2-3 times a week if outdoors in hot weather.
    • Check Soil Moisture: Always check the soil moisture level before watering. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged.
  • Soil and Drainage
    • Well-Draining Soil: Essential to prevent root rot. Use a soil mix designed for good drainage.
    • Drainage Holes: Ensure all pots and containers have drainage holes. If not, add them to prevent water from accumulating at the roots.

Cilantro

• Fun facts:
  • Helps eliminate heavy metals from the body
  • Supports heart health
  • Can aid in fighting urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Coriander seeds from cilantro can help promote regular menstrual cycles
• Recipes:
  • Cilantro Dipping Sauce
  • Zucchini Soup with Crème Fraîche and Cilantro
  • Cilantro Pineapple Fizz
• How to grow:
  • Sunlight: Needs 6 hours of direct sunlight. Too much high noon sun can burn the leaves. Can grow in less light but at a slower pace. Indoors, indirect sunlight requires more exposure.
  • Watering: Prefers moist soil; about an inch of water per week.
  • Temperature: Ideal range is 50-86°F.
  • Planting: Suitable for containers, ground, or raised beds. Pots are useful for adjusting sunlight exposure.

Mint

• Fun facts:
  • May improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and indigestion
  • Can help decrease breastfeeding pain
  • Beneficial for common colds and allergies, containing 53 anti-allergy compounds
  • A great relaxant for de-stressing and helps fight high cortisol levels
• Recipes:
  • Mint and Feta Dip
  • Mint and Orange Tea
  • Pasta with Mint
• How to grow:
  • Sunlight: Grows best in full sun (6-8 hours) but can also thrive in part shade (5-6 hours of sun).
  • Temperature: Ideal growing temperature is 65-75°F. Mint can be grown indoors or outdoors. In hot climates like Texas, it may be easier to start mint as an indoor plant.
    • Summer Care: Most mint varieties can handle full sun and part shade. During peak summer months, check the soil often, water consistently, and watch for sunburn on the tips of the leaves.
    • Indoor Growth: Mint can be a perfect potted plant for your kitchen windowsill.
  • Watering:
    • Moist Soil: Similar to basil, mint prefers moist soil. Check the soil every few days.
    • Indoor Care: Indoor mint plants don’t dry out as quickly, so watering once a week is usually sufficient. When you water, make sure to soak the plant thoroughly.

Rosemary

• Fun facts:
  • Excellent for promoting hair growth and healing skin
  • Has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties
  • Can improve digestion
• Recipes:
  • Lemon Rosemary Sorbet
  • Fried Rosemary and Garlic Dip
  • Balsamic and Rosemary Marinated Florentine Steak
• How to grow:
  • Sunlight and Temperature: Loves direct sunlight and thrives in warm temperatures (55-80°F).
  • Watering: Prefers to be dry but not bone dry. Water every 1-2 weeks, checking soil moisture before watering.
  • Planting Options: Can be planted in the ground, in pots, or in above-ground containers.

Sage

• Fun facts:
  • Helps balance cholesterol levels
  • Promotes oral health, often overlooked in favor of mint
  • A great source of Vitamin K
  • Has antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
• Recipes:
  • Sweet Potato Mash with Walnuts and Crisp Sage
  • Apple Sage Splasher Mocktail
  • Lemon Sage White Bean Dip
• How to grow:
  • Sunlight and Temperature: Loves direct sunlight and thrives in warm temperatures (55-80°F).
  • Watering: Prefers to be dry but not bone dry. Water every 1-2 weeks, checking soil moisture before watering.
  • Planting Options: Can be planted in the ground, in pots, or in above-ground containers.