Growing and Using Herbs from Your Garden Tower

Summer is a fantastic time for gardening enthusiasts, particularly those who love to grow their own herbs. The long, sunny days are perfect for cultivating a variety of flavorful herbs right at home. With a Garden Tower, you can grow an abundance of herbs even if you have limited space. This vertical gardening system optimizes plant growth, making it ideal for herbs like basil, mint, oregano, thyme, and parsley. In this blog, we'll explore the ease and benefits of growing herbs in a Garden Tower, provide practical tips for nurturing these herbs, share some delicious recipes, and offer methods for preserving your herb harvest.

Why Grow Herbs in a Garden Tower?

The Garden Tower is an innovative vertical gardening solution that allows you to grow up to 50 plants in just 4 square feet. This makes it perfect for urban dwellers or anyone with limited gardening space. Here are some benefits of growing herbs in a Garden Tower:

• Space Efficiency: The vertical design maximizes growing space, allowing you to cultivate a wide variety of herbs in a small area.
• Easy Access: The rotating feature of the Garden Tower ensures you can easily reach all your plants, making maintenance and harvesting a breeze.
• Healthy Growth: The built-in vermicomposting system provides continuous organic fertilizer, promoting robust plant growth and high yields.
• Sustainability: Growing your own herbs reduces your carbon footprint and ensures you have access to fresh, organic produce.

Herbs That Thrive in Summer

• Basil - Basil is a warm-weather herb that thrives in the heat of summer. It's a versatile herb in many culinary dishes, particularly Italian cuisine.
• Mint - Mint is a hardy herb that grows well in almost any condition. It's perfect for refreshing summer drinks and desserts.
• Oregano - Oregano is a robust herb that loves full sun. It's a staple in Mediterranean cooking and pairs well with tomatoes, meats, and vegetables.
• Thyme - Thyme is a drought-resistant herb that flourishes in warm, sunny weather. It's great for seasoning soups, stews, and roasted meats.
• Parsley - Parsley is a biennial herb that prefers cooler temperatures but can still thrive in summer with proper care. It's commonly used as a garnish and in various dishes for its fresh flavor.

5 Tips for Growing Herbs in Your Garden Tower

1. Choose the Right Location: Place your Garden Tower in a sunny spot that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If you're limited on natural light, consider using grow lights to supplement.
2. Use High-Quality Soil: Fill your Garden Tower with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. This provides a strong foundation for your herbs to thrive.
3. Water Regularly: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. The Garden Tower's design helps retain moisture, but you may need to water more frequently during hot summer days. You can use moisture sensors to tell when you need to water for easy maintenance.
4. Rotate Your Tower: Rotate the Garden Tower regularly to ensure all sides receive equal sunlight. This promotes even growth and prevents one side from becoming too shaded.
5. Prune and Harvest: Regularly prune your herbs to encourage bushy growth and prevent them from flowering too early. Harvesting frequently will also provide a steady supply of fresh herbs.

Delicious Recipes Using Fresh Herbs

Basil Pesto

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup pine nuts

3 garlic cloves

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Combine basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.

Add the Parmesan cheese and pulse until mixed.

Slowly add the olive oil while the processor is running until the mixture is smooth.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy your pesto with pasta, as a spread, or mixed into salads.

Mint Lemonade

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh mint leaves

1 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar

4 cups water

Ice

Instructions:

Combine sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves to make a simple syrup.

In a pitcher, muddle the mint leaves to release their flavor.

Add the lemon juice, simple syrup, and remaining water to the pitcher. Stir well.

Serve over ice for a refreshing summer drink.

Oregano and Thyme Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients:

4 cups assorted vegetables (such as bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots), chopped

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

In a large bowl, toss the chopped vegetables with olive oil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Spread the vegetables on a baking sheet in a single layer.

Roast for 25-30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and slightly browned.

Serve as a side dish or over rice for a healthy meal.

Parsley Chimichurri

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh parsley leaves

1/4 cup fresh oregano leaves

4 garlic cloves

1/2 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Combine parsley, oregano, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.

Add olive oil and red wine vinegar. Process until smooth.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Use as a marinade for grilled meats or as a topping for vegetables.

Preserving Your Herbs

Drying

Drying is one of the easiest ways to preserve herbs. Here's how:

• Air Drying: Gather small bunches of herbs and tie the stems together. Hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Once thoroughly dried, crumble the leaves and store them in airtight containers.
• Oven Drying: Preheat your oven to the lowest setting. Spread the herb leaves on a baking sheet and place them in the oven. Keep the door slightly open to allow moisture to escape. Check frequently and remove once the leaves are dry and crumbly.

Making Herb Butter

Herb butter is a delicious way to enjoy your garden's bounty. It can be used on bread, meats, and vegetables.

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped

1 teaspoon lemon zest

Salt to taste

Instructions:

Combine the softened butter with chopped herbs and lemon zest in a bowl. Mix well.

Add salt to taste and mix again.

Transfer the herb butter to a piece of parchment paper and roll it into a log. Twist the ends to seal.

Refrigerate until firm. Slice off pieces as needed.

Freezing

Freezing herbs is a great way to preserve their flavor for later use.

• Ice Cube Method: Chop fresh herbs and place them in ice cube trays. Fill each compartment with water or olive oil. Freeze until solid, then transfer the herb cubes to a freezer bag for storage.
• Whole Leaf Freezing: Spread whole herb leaves on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen leaves to a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.

Enjoy the Benefits of Fresh Herbs from Your Garden Tower

Growing and using herbs from your Garden Tower is a rewarding experience that brings fresh flavors and aromas to your kitchen. By following these practical tips for growing basil, mint, oregano, thyme, and parsley, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest throughout the summer. The delicious recipes provided will help you make the most of your fresh herbs, while the preservation methods ensure you can savor their flavors year-round. 

Ready to start your own herb garden? Shop on our website to purchase your Garden Tower today! We also offer an herb seed collection, including cilantro, basil, chives, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and more, to help you get started. For more tips and tricks on maximizing your Garden Tower's potential, check out our Learning Center for expert advice and inspiration. Happy gardening!