Grow Fresh Herbs All Summer with These Simple Gardening Tips

Home gardeners and chefs agree that summer is the best time to start, when most herbs prefer warm, long days of sunlight.

Select the right herbs for summer  
Not all herbs love peak heat, so it’s important to choose the right herbs.

Basil, mint, coriander, curry leaves, parsley, thyme, oregano and rosemary are good choices for Indian summers. 
Basil and mint grow fast and can take the heat if they are given plenty of water.
Rosemary, oregano and thyme are herbs from the Mediterranean that prefer dry soil and plenty of sun.
Coriander and parsley bolt easily in the heat: they prefer early summer or partly shaded positions.

If you are in a very hot city like Delhi or Ahmedabad, begin with heat-tolerant varieties and put more delicate herbs where they will get morning sun and afternoon shade.

Expose herbs to plenty of sunlight
The biggest thing is light. Most culinary herbs need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day to grow bushy and full of flavour.

A south- or west-facing balcony or patio will work; even a sunny kitchen window will work. If growing indoors, rotate the pots every few days so all sides get light.

Too little sun causes the herbs to turn pale and leggy. Mint and coriander get cooked too much in the harsh afternoon sun – a light shade cloth or moving pots at peak times helps.

Water well and harvest often
The most common mistake is over-watering. Herbs need soil that drains well and dries out a little between watering.

Use pots with drainage holes. In summer, check soil every morning – water well if the top inch feels dry. The best time to water is in the morning so the leaves can dry before evening and avoid fungus.

The plant needs feeding too. Pinch or cut off leaves frequently. In fact, frequent harvesting encourages bushier growth. For basil, pinch just above a set of leaves. Cut off the tops of the mint and coriander to stop them flowering too early. The more you gather, the more it mounts up.

Use good soil and natural fertilisers  
Don’t use garden soil straight from the ground, as it will compact in pots. Instead use a *light potting mix* with coco peat, compost and perlite or sand for drainage. 

Add organic compost or vermicompost at the time of planting. A handful of compost every 3–4 weeks will then be enough. Herbs do not need heavy feeding, and too much fertiliser can make them leafy but less aromatic.

In extreme heat, mulch the top with dry leaves or straw to keep the roots cool and in moisture.

Some Extra Tips for Summer Success 
1. Group pots together to give each other soil humidity and shade.
2. Use bigger pots for rosemary and curry leaves, as they have long roots.
3. Look for pests, including aphids and spider mites. Neem water spray is good.
4. Grow what you eat. If you drink a lot of tea, grow some mint. Cook Italian and you will make basil, oregano and thyme.

And with just 4-5 pots, you can have fresh flavour at hand till monsoon time. No grocery store, no plastic packaging, and the smell alone is worth it.

Get a small pot of mint, basil, and coriander going this weekend. All they need is water, sun, and a little pruning. Next month, you'll be picking every day.