BayouGarden: Herb It Up

Get growing this spring with these four herbal mainstays. Basil, mint, thyme and rosemary are essential for great grub and craft cocktails. Whether your investing in an indoor planter or looking to start a garden, these herbs are the bees knees.
Photo by Taylor Bennett

Basil
Basil is a fragrant herb that tastes great in many dishes – and is a main ingredient in pesto. Basil will grow best in a location that gets up to 8 hours of full sun daily.

Thyme
Thyme is an evergreen shrub which stems and leaves are used in various dishes, either in whole or dried form. It also has many health benefits with one of the highest antioxidant concentrations in any herb.

Mint
Fresh mint is so versatile that it should be a staple in every garden. From drinks to desserts, this super herb is easy to grow but can quickly overrun a planting bed.

Rosemary
This perennial herb has fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves. It can be used as a culinary condiment, to make perfumes, and for its potential health benefits.