Fresh kitchen herbs, such as basil or mint, are healthy and also spice up every dish. How about a herb mousse, for example, or try making your own pesto. However, chives and the like taste best when they have planted themselves. We give you helpful tips so that you can soon enjoy fresh herbs from your own garden.

Have you already harvested the herbs? Then you will find everything you need to know about storing fresh herbs here.

Do I need a garden to grow herbs?

No, not necessarily. Herbs can be grown almost anywhere, in the bed in the garden, or in pots on the balcony. A particularly space-saving solution is the herb snail, with which many herbs that have different needs can be planted at the same time.

Appropriate planters are also required for the herb garden on the balcony. Both square balcony boxes and plant pots in various designs and sizes are used. Above all, the depth of the planters should be considered, as some herbs have deep roots, such as lovage or dill. If you observe the following tips, then nothing stands in the way of enjoying fresh herbs by growing them yourself.

The 10 most suitable herbs for the balcony

Parsely

Parsley is probably the best-known and most popular kitchen herb in Austria. The aromatic herb is missing in almost every herb garden. When watering it should be noted: This herb does not tolerate waterlogging at all, but the soil should not be too dry either.

Mint

Mint has a unique aroma and gives the mojito, for example, its characteristic taste. Due to the menthol-like scent, the mint also has a wonderfully refreshing effect. Mint is considered easy to care for and undemanding. But be careful: it spreads incredibly fast!

Chives

Few herbs are as easy to grow as chives. The growing pots need evenly moist soil. The soil should not dry out, otherwise, the green culms will begin to bend. As soon as the temperatures outside are no longer below zero, chives can also be sown directly outdoors.

Basil

Basil is a herb from the south. It, therefore, requires a bit of care to thrive in our climate. Basil likes it sunny and should therefore be grown in a warm, sunny place, for example on the windowsill.

Rosemary

Rosemary is one of the Mediterranean herbs and therefore prefers a dry, sunny and calcareous location. Rosemary should be cut regularly, otherwise, it tends to become woody. You can harvest rosemary all year round, although you should then cut off a whole branch.

Sage

The European garden sage is easy to grow. Sage likes sunny places because the essential oils cannot form in shady locations. Sage grows quickly and survives short periods of drought very well. Waterlogging should be avoided.

Lemon balm

Lemon balm is extremely easy to care for and can “take care of itself” very well. You should be careful not to spread the lemon balm too much. In a sunny location and with enough light and space to develop, lemon balm usually thrives very well.

Lovage

Lovage, also known as Maggi herb, does not require too much care and location. The chosen location on the terrace or balcony should be in partial shade if possible. Please note: Maggi plants can grow up to 2 m tall.

Marjoram

Marjoram likes it very warm. In the best case, it should also be sown in warm soil, at the earliest in mid-May. The sunniest spot on the balcony or in the garden is just right for marjoram. If the marjoram feels comfortable in its location, it will grow almost by itself.

Thyme

Thyme comes from the Mediterranean region and therefore thrives best when it is in a sunny spot in dry soil. What should be avoided at all costs so that the thyme thrives in the best possible way is waterlogging. Once the thyme is rooted, it does not require too much care.