I think growing herbs is great for beginner gardeners. They are an easy starting point.
If you could only grow a few herbs in your garden, which ones should you choose? While every herb has its charm, there are a few that no garden should be without — and I want to share them with you here.
At Living Foods Farm, we grow all kinds of herbs. We use them in teas, salves, seasoning blends, and even natural remedies. Over the years, we’ve found that three herbs stand out above the rest for their ease of growth, usefulness, and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions.
Here are the top three herbs every gardener should grow — and why they deserve a spot in your garden.
1. Basil
Few plants signal summer like basil. Its bright, aromatic leaves bring life to any dish — from pasta and pizza to fresh garden salads. Basil thrives in warm weather and loves the sun, making it perfect for container gardens, raised beds, or even tucked among your vegetables.
Why Grow It:
- Easy to grow: Basil grows quickly from seed and can be harvested within weeks.
- Multiple varieties: Try sweet basil, cinnamon basil, or lemon basil for unique flavors.
- Attracts pollinators: Bees love the small flowers, which helps your entire garden flourish.
Basil is one of our most-loved herbs for both culinary and herbal uses. To keep basil producing all summer, pinch off the flower buds as they form and harvest the top leaves regularly. At Living Foods Farm, we grow Holy Basil (Tulsi), Genovese basil, Italian large leaf basil and cinnamon basil.
Harvest and Storage:
Pick leaves in the morning when their oils are strongest. You can freeze basil in olive oil cubes for cooking, dehydrate it, or — our favorite — freeze-dry it for long-lasting freshness.
2. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is the gentle giant of the herb world. With its lemony scent and calming properties, it’s both soothing and uplifting. This perennial herb grows easily and spreads quickly, making it a reliable choice year after year.
Why Grow It:
- Naturally calming: Traditionally used to ease stress, improve sleep, and lift mood.
- Pollinator-friendly: Its tiny white flowers attract bees and beneficial insects.
- Low maintenance: Thrives in sun or partial shade and tolerates many soil types.
We grow large patches of lemon balm at Living Foods Farm and use it in both salves and herbal teas. Its soothing scent makes it ideal for bedtime blends and natural stress support. We also infuse it into oils for our Lemon Balm Salve, which is gentle enough for all skin types.
Harvest and Storage:
Cut the stems before flowering for the best flavor and potency. Lemon balm dries beautifully, but freeze-drying preserves its vibrant green color and lemony aroma perfectly. Mix lemon balm with dried mint or chamomile for a relaxing evening tea.
3. Rosemary
Strong, aromatic, and evergreen, rosemary is the herb that keeps on giving. It adds depth to
savory dishes, supports focus and memory, and looks beautiful year-round. It’s hardy in mild climates and can be grown in pots indoors during colder months.
Why Grow It:
- Perennial and hardy: Once established, rosemary can live for years.
- Culinary powerhouse: Perfect for roasting meats, vegetables, and breads.
- Medicinal and aromatic: Stimulates circulation and supports mental clarity.
Rosemary is one of our must-have herbs for both cooking and crafting. We use it in our Eucalyptus-Peppermint-Rosemary Chest Rub, where its warming and invigorating qualities help open the airways. We also add rosemary to herb salts and natural household cleaners for its clean, energizing scent.
Harvest and Storage:
Snip sprigs anytime — the flavor is strongest just before flowering. Rosemary air-dries easily, but for the most intense aroma, freeze-drying is best. Store dried rosemary in airtight containers away from direct sunlight.
How to Grow These Three Together
These herbs make excellent garden companions. Basil loves the sun and frequent watering, while lemon balm prefers partial shade and moist soil. Rosemary, on the other hand, likes things dry and sunny. Plant basil and lemon balm near each other in containers or raised beds where you can water regularly, and keep rosemary in its own pot or a well-drained bed.
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