By Jennifer Poindexter
If you live in an area with a shorter growing season, it matters how long something takes to reach harvest. This is a concern because if something takes too long, you may not have a large enough window to enjoy it.
Herbs frequently come into question when gardeners wonder if they have enough time to grow them in their planting zone.
If this is a concern of yours (or hey, maybe you’re just in a hurry to get results), you’re in luck! There are quite a few herbs which are known for being fast-growing. In some cases, you may even be able to start your seeds indoors and get a jump on the growing season.
Here are some of the fastest growing herbs you may incorporate into your herb garden:
1. Dill
Dill is a wonderful herb for those who live in colder climates and face a shorter growing season. This herb is a great fit as it loves colder weather. Therefore, it can be grown earlier as long as you can supply a growing location with full sunlight and well-draining soil.
Dill doesn’t like having its roots disturbed, so it’s best to directly sow the seeds as soon as you can work the ground in spring or when the temperatures begin to cool in fall. In zones eight through eleven, dill can be grown in winter. Dill takes approximately two months to reach maturity.
2. Basil
Basil is a fast-growing herb that does well in a warmer climate. This herb is only hardy in planting zones ten and eleven as it can’t handle frost. There’s no need to start this herb indoors as it only takes one week to germinate and is ready to harvest in approximately one month.
However, you must grow basil in areas with full sunlight and well-draining soil. It’s vital that the soil remains consistently and evenly damp. Though basil enjoys heat, be sure to provide some protection during the hottest portions of the afternoon.
3. Thyme
Thyme is a beautiful herb that tastes delicious, too! This herb is a hardy option for planting zones five through nine and should remain evergreen in areas with a warmer climate.
When growing thyme, be sure to supply a growing location with full sun and well-draining soil. Thyme is known for being drought-tolerant, but it’s wise to try and keep the soil evenly moist. Also, be sure your plant receives ample light as the more sun the herb receives, the more prominent the flavor. Thyme should be ready to harvest in approximately two to three months.
4. Coriander
Coriander is a wonderful herb that’s grown as an annual in planting zones two through eleven. This plant enjoys loamy, well-draining soil and partial sunlight. It needs protection during the hottest portions of the day.
This herb should thrive from spring through fall. You can expect to harvest coriander seeds in approximately forty-five days. If you need a delicious and fast-growing herb, coriander could be what you’ve been searching for.
5. Cilantro
In case you weren’t already aware, coriander and cilantro are one in the same. Hence why I love growing this plant. I enjoy growing something when I can get two products and only provide care to one plant.
If you’re interested in growing cilantro, be sure to provide a location with partial sunlight and soil that’s both well-draining and rich in nutrients. Cilantro is enjoyed as an annual throughout all of the planting zones. Expect cilantro to reach maturity in approximately four weeks.
6. Marjoram
Marjoram can be added to your garden after all threat of frost is over. You may also grow this plant in a container either indoors or outdoors. No matter the growing method, be sure to select a growing location with full sunlight and high-quality, well-draining soil.
If you live in planting zones nine and ten, marjoram should return as a perennial each year. In other areas, you can still enjoy this herb as an annual. Expect marjoram to reach maturity in approximately six weeks after the time of planting.
7. Chervil
Chervil isn’t an herb you see in every garden. The reason being is this plant doesn’t withstand heat very well. Since its growing conditions are slightly different from many of the more common herbs, people tend to overlook this treasure.
However, if you’d like to grow chervil, ensure you select a growing location with well-draining, evenly damp soil and partial shade. This plant should be ready to harvest in around nine weeks. If you live in planting zones three through seven, chervil should remain hardy. In the higher planting zones, you may need to grow this herb during winter as it won’t survive in the heat that comes in these areas.
8. Fennel
Fennel enjoys the sun and can serve as a perennial in planting zones four through nine. However, it’s typically enjoyed as an annual in cooler climates.
When growing fennel, be sure to provide an area with full sunlight and soil that drains adequately but is also nutrient-dense. You can expect fennel to be ready for harvest in approximately three months.
9. Chives
Chives are one of my favorite herbs. I not only love the flavor, but I also love how beautiful these herbs are with each passing year. I also enjoy how easy they are to harvest. If you want a beautiful and tasty herb, consider adding chives to your herb garden.
This herb grows best in areas with ample sunlight and well-draining soil. It’s important that the soil be of good quality, too. Chives remain hardy in planting zones three through nine and should be ready to harvest one month from the time of transplant.
10. Mint
Mint is a fast-growing herb, but it’s also one which must be handled with care around your garden as it can easily take over. For this reason, we recommend growing mint in a container.
When you’re ready to add mint to your garden, be sure to select a location with full to partial sunlight. If you live in a warmer climate, this herb may enjoy some shade during the afternoon. Mint grows best in soil that’s well-draining and rich in nutrients. This is a hardy herb in planting zones three through eight and should reach maturity two months after sowing from seed.
11. Oregano
Oregano is another favorite herb around my herb garden. It’s beautiful, low-maintenance, and tastes delicious. If you’d like to add this herb to your garden, begin by understanding your planting zone. Oregano remains hardy in planting zones five through ten. If you live in a cooler planting zone, you may still enjoy the herb as an annual.
Once you’ve decided to introduce this herb to your garden be sure to select a growing location with full sunlight and well-draining soil. You should be able to harvest oregano in approximately three months.
12. Sage
Sage not only tastes delicious but it adds charm to your herb garden between its coloring and texture of the foliage. If you’re interested in growing sage around your home, be sure you understand its growing conditions and hardiness zones.
This herb grows best when planted in an area with full sunlight and well-draining soil. Sage remains hardy in planting zones five through eight. It can be enjoyed as an annual in warmer climates as it can’t handle the temperatures and humidity. In these instances, sage should be grown in spring or fall. Sage can be harvested in a little over two months after planting.
13. Tarragon
Do you live in an area that receives periods of drought? If so, tarragon could be for you. This plant is known for being drought-tolerant and doesn’t enjoy overly saturated conditions.
Tarragon grows best in areas with ample sunlight, and soil that’s loamy, well-draining, and is of poor quality. Too many nutrients or a heavier soil can result in a poor root system and negatively impact the flavor of the plant as well. Tarragon remains hardy in planting zones four and higher. Plus, the herb is ready to harvest in around three months.
14. Fenugreek
Our last fast-growing herb to discuss is fenugreek. Your climate will dictate when you grow this plant around your home. In warmer areas, this herb is grown during the winter months. In milder areas, it can be grown in the summer.
When you plant fenugreek, be sure to do so from seed after all threat of frost is over. Select an area with quality, well-draining soil and full sunlight. Fenugreek is only hardy in planting zones nine through eleven, but it can be enjoyed as an annual in the remaining planting zones. Lastly, fenugreek should be ready to harvest in a little over a month.
You now have fourteen different options to choose from for fast-growing herbs. Hopefully, this has inspired you to try growing an herb garden even if you live in an area with a shorter growing season.
No matter your reasoning for desiring faster growing plants, consider the growing conditions needed and the correct times to plant for your location. Giving plants what they need should ensure they grow quickly and produce an abundant harvest.
More About Growing Herbs
https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-herbs
https://extension.missouri.edu/g6470
https://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/gardening/gardening-101/herb-gardening-for-beginners
Leave a Reply