Planting herbs in the garden is one of my favorite things. Herbs are incredibly useful, pretty and make a perfect addition to any garden. They’re great for adding flavor to your food, creating comforting teas, or natural medicine. Most herbs are also great companion plants for vegetables and can help improve the flavor of your vegetables or keep pests off of your plants. Herbs that are good for you are also good for your chickens. Keep reading to see what my favorite herbs are to plant in the garden.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a hardy perennial herb that will come back year after year. It’s hardy in Zones 7-10 and can thrive even in Zone 6. Rosemary can take on a shrubby appearance and get larger than many other herbs. If you’re looking for an herb that you can plant in your flowerbed, rosemary is perfect.
There are a lot of benefits of eating rosemary. This herb contains powerful antioxidants. It’s also a known antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral. On top of that, many of the compounds in rosemary help to strengthen your immune system. It’s also a wonderful herb to give to your chickens if they need a boost.
Oregano
If rosemary is good for, oregano is a powerhouse for your health. Oregano can be grown in zones 6-12 as a perennial. In zones 5 and above, you may need to save seeds and reseed it. Oregano is similar to a creeping plant. It grows low along the ground and can get small purple or white flowers depending on the variety.
Oregano is a strong medicinal herb. It’s a great antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral. In fact, recent research has shown that it’s just as effective as antibiotics. If you’re wanting to raise antibiotic free chickens, swap out their medicated feed and start adding oregano and thyme to their diet.
Lavender
Fresh lavender is a perennial herb in many areas. It’s also very easy to grow in pots, making it a great herb to plant even if it’s not perennial in your growing zone. Most lavender is hardy in zones 5-9. Although it’s not as affected by the cold as some other herbs, lavender can be very picky when it comes to humidity. In the southeastern U.S. where the air is humid, lavender can be tricky to grow. It’s much easier to manage in arid climates.
If you can nail the art of growing lavender, you’ll be rewarded with a soothing, beautiful and aromatic herb. Most people associate lavender with relaxation, but did you know that there is some strong science to back this up? Lavender contains a compound called linalool which can reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure.
Thyme
Thyme is another hardy perennial that grows well in many zones. It’s a hardy perennial in zones 5-9. Similar to oregano, it will creep along the ground. Thyme is very fragrant and will get small white blooms. Thyme also helps attract beneficial insects that will help to eliminate pests from your garden.
Thyme is similar to oregano in the fact that it is a great antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral. If you want to kick the synthetic versions, start adding thyme to your garden. It’s a wonderful herb that pairs well with chicken, goes well in soups or stews and can add a depth of flavor to your next turkey and dressing.
These herbs aren’t the only herbs that I enjoy planting, but they’re some of my favorites because of how functional they are and the fact that they are perennial in many climates. Are you planting herbs in your garden this year?