How to Start Your Very Own Quarantine Garden

Photo taken by author

With quarantine still going strong, it's hard to find the motivation to do simple things like clean your room or even leave your bed. In the wise words of my youngest brother, "why would I take a shower if I'm just going to get dirty again?" These questions seem to be floating around in everyone's heads at the moment. One way to purge laziness from sinking its claws into your brain and tearing up any plans you hoped to accomplish that day is to focus on the so-easy-it's-laughable tasks. Don't think about doing a whole workout, but put on your workout gear, lay out your yoga mat, and do some light yoga or stretching. Don't think about writing that whole essay in one sitting, write one sentence. In a similar fashion, it might be helpful for you to have one habit that forces you get out of bed, demonstrates all of your hard work, and will make you smile every time you lay eyes on it--your very own quarantine garden! Today, we're going to look at the materials you'll need to cultivate this garden, the best herbs to buy (based on how easy they are to grow and how suitable they are for inside), and what to do with them once they're ready to be used.

Seeds to Consider Buying

1. Chives

2. Basil

3. Oregano

4. Parsley

5. Thyme

6. Mint

7. Tarragon

8. Coriander

9. Sage

10. Dill

Materials

You'll need to prepare a few weeks in advance before you start growing your garden. The best way to purchase seeds is online as there is a wider variety available and you get more seeds for your money. If there's too many for you to use, don't fret! That is the perfect quarantine gift for a good friend. Mail them the same seeds so that they can grow the same garden with you!

In terms of containers, you'll want to gather used yogurt cups (rinsing before use), colanders, tin cans, muffin tins, plastic bottles, and more. Of course, make sure to but some soil and a spray bottle for watering.

Growing

Spread the soil according to this great guide in your container and plant the seeds according to the instructions on each seed packet as some like to be planted in certain seasons. When the seeds are first planted, heat is more important than light (though indoors, these two are usually synonymous). Once the plants break the surface, make sure to have them in a sunny location. Burrow the seeds two times their length into the soil and spray, making sure the soil is damp so that the seeds can germinate. Once they've sprouted, it's important that you don't miss a watering (every time soil is dry).

Recipes

In about four weeks, your herbs will have grown and are ready to be eaten! I have a basil plant in my room and once the leaves sprouted, my next thought was "...now what?" Here are the answers to that question for every plant to give you some inspiration and get excited about all of the possibilities these herbs have in your kitchen!

Chives

1. Top a baked potato

2. Make a tasty butter

3. Amp up your breakfast game

Basil

1. Of course, pesto.

2. Easy and beautiful tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad

3. Layered on top of grilled pork

Oregano

1. Make a pizza and sprinkle liberally

2. Use as an excuse to make a grilled mushroom antipasto salad (not that you need one!)

3. A competitor for regular pesto: oregano pesto

Parsley

1. Creamy parsley salad dressing

2. Chimichurri for a seafood marinade

3. Celery & parsley salad (great with beans!)

Thyme

1. Lemon & thyme roasted chicken

2. Get your veggies in with this thyme zucchini sauté

3. Thyme-baked apple slices

Mint

1. Sweeten things up surprisingly with mint cake with milk chocolate and lime

2. How about a virgin mojito?!

3. Wow your guests with a starter of eggplant & mint soup

Tarragon

1. Smoked salmon bites

2. Green goddess dip

3. Keep it summer-y with Pink Grapefruit-tarragon sorbet

Coriander

1. Get exotic with zhug, a spicy Yemen-Isralei sauce commonly used to accompany falafel

2. Travel to another out-of-this-world dip from Europe: Satsebeli sauce

3. Slurp up some Thai rice soup and pork cilantro meatballs

Sage

1. Launch back into fall with this butternut squash, sage, and goat cheese recipe

2. Fuel your cheese addiction with this cheesy sausage and sage stuffing

3. Try something new when you make panisses with sage leaves (like a chickpea fritter!)

Dill

1. Make your side salad the star with this salt and vinegar cucumber salad

2. Put a spin on your favorite potato salad with yogurt, arugula, and dill

3. Lemon-braised chicken and beans with mint pesto

If growing a cute garden doesn't motivate you to get out of bed and step out of that quarantine funk, I know that those recipes will. I hope you enjoy growing your garden as much as you'll enjoy snacking on those thyme apple slices or hoeing into that cheesy sausage and sage stuffing!