Do you love fresh herbs, but don’t have enough room in your garden to grow them? Many of your favorite herbs thrive in shadier environments. Nothing beats freshly grown herbs! One of the joys of summer is the explosion of fresh herb-y taste, whether it’s basil with summer tomatoes or mint in your tea. Growing your own shade-tolerant herbs is possible for almost everyone, whether you have a garden, a patio, or just a windowsill. Herbs are an excellent area for a rookie gardener to get their hands dirty. Taking care of a few herbs in pots might teach you that growing some of your own food isn’t as tough as you think.

Now what do we mean by ‘shade’? We know that plants need sunlight to grow. While many herbs can tolerate some shade, it’s vital to remember that very few plants can survive without any sunlight. When we talk about shade, we’re usually referring to degrees of shade, where plants are either partially sheltered from the sun or receive only a little amount of sunlight during the day.

Many herbs can tolerate little shade and only require 3 hours of daily sunlight, though they may be less productive than herb plants that receive more sunlight. So, if you have a lot of shadow at your place, you may still use it to grow food.

Here are 5 of my favorite herbs to grow:

Chives: Chives are a very simple plant to grow, as they tolerate poor soil and require little water and attention. Each spring, its onion-flavored leaves are among the earliest homegrown foods. Their lovely purple flowers can also be eaten.

Mint: Mint can be aggressive (Haha), so put them where you don’t mind them taking over, or grow them in a container to keep them contained. Mint is a versatile herb that may be utilized in homemade body treatments, teas, and beverages, as well as in meals.

Thyme: Thyme is another edible landscape herb, providing ample pollinator food, and great flavoring for a variety of dishes.

Basil: Probably one of the most common herbs grown in our community gardens! Basil is commonly thought of as a sun-loving plant, it may also thrive in partial shade. It’s easy to grow from seed, so plant a lot for salads and pestos. Basil is also great to plant along side of your tomato plants!

Dill: Dill is a popular pickling herb with edible leaves, flowers, and seeds. The numerous flower umbels of dill will attract pollinators to your garden, and it will easily self-sow.

What herbs do you have growing in your garden/ shaded areas?

 

Happy gardening!