City living often comes with its own set of restrictions – limited space being one of them. For nature-seeking urbanites with a love for home-grown herbs, a microgreenhouse is a solution that fits right into your tiny balcony. It’s small, versatile, and a haven for high-value herbs that not only lend fresh flavors to your culinary dishes, but also purify your indoor air evenly. Here we unveil the 7 best herbs to grow in your urban microgreenhouse, ensuring you a lush, organic supply of flavors right at your fingertips.
Basil
Packed with intense aroma and flavor, basil holds a fond place in every home cook’s kitchen. Its leaves bring invigorating freshness to every dish and it’s rich in vitamins A, K, and C. The New Terra Natural Food website even lists it as a high-income crop for urban growers. Starting basil in your microgreenhouse is easy – just plant the seeds in rich, moist soil, provide ample light and maintain a warm temperature.
Mint
Mint has been hailed for its refreshing aroma and its culinary and medicinal applications. Not only does it taste fantastic in dishes and drinks, but it also aids digestion. Moreover, the versatility of mint makes it a high yield crop and a viable economic addition to your microgreenhouse. It thrives in damp, partially shaded environments within your microgreenhouse.
Parsley
Parsley, rich in vitamins A and C, is not simply a garnish but an herb that can leave a deep impression. Not only does parsley enhance nearly every dish it’s added to, but it also helps with digestion. Parsley prefers full to partial sun, and well-drained soil. Sow the seeds directly into the pot, water them regularly, and the bright green leaves will promptly shoot up.
Cilantro
With its unique, citrus-like flavor, cilantro is adored in various cuisines worldwide. It’s packed with several nutrients like vitamin C and K. Cultivating cilantro in your microgreenhouse is an easy task. This popular herb only needs regular watering and lots of sunlight to grow successfully.
Chives
Chives are a versatile addition to your microgreenhouse, known for their mild onion-like flavor and ease of growth. They are great in salads, soups, and potato dishes. And the best part? You can grow a steady supply right in your microgreenhouse. They require a moist (not wet!) environment and plenty of light. In fact, you could even consider growing chives hydroponically, as advocated by Edengreen’s blog.
Dill
The delicate and feathery leaves of dill pack a punch in terms of flavor. They blend well with a wide variety of dishes, especially seafood, soups, and salads. Dill likes a lot of sunlight and well-drained soil. Given the right conditions, dill is an herb that you will find easy to grow in a microgreenhouse!
Oregano
Finally, we have oregano, a robust herb that is widely used as a seasoning. Its uniquely warm and aromatic flavor pairs well with most Italian cuisine. Besides that, it has significant health benefits, aiding digestion and boosting immunity. With proper sunlight exposure, oregano can grow heartily in your microgreenhouse, even during winter months as stated by Permies.com.
In summary, embracing microgreenhouse urban gardening is a fabulous option to enjoy nature’s gifts, adding freshness, flavor, and a dash of green to your urban living. And these 7 best herbs to grow in your microgreenhouse are just the start in your exciting journey of urban gardening!