How To Grow A Thanksgiving Herb Garden

What’s your favorite part of a Thanksgiving feast? Whether it be the turkey, the stuffing, or the mashed potatoes, nobody can deny flavorful herbs elevate these savory dishes! Here are some of the best herbs to include in a holiday (or daily) meal and how to grow them in the outdoor or indoor garden.

Sage

For many people, sage is the go-to Thanksgiving herb and is the shining star in many stuffing recipes.  

Sage is fantastic for growing alongside cabbages, carrots, strawberries, and tomatoes. It helps repel flea beetles, cabbage root maggots, and carrot rust flies. 

If growing outdoors, sow seeds directly in the spring in full sun and well-drained loamy soil. The same conditions apply to indoor herb gardens. The Farmer’s Almanac recommends frequently watering until established; afterward, sage can tolerate drought. 

Harvest the leaves and flower tops whenever a recipe calls for them. 

Thyme

Fresh or dry, thyme is one of the most-used culinary herbs; it tastes delicious with roasted veggies, potatoes, soups, poultry, stuffing, and more! 

Well worth the growing space, thyme works hard for its spot in the garden. Beyond repelling deer, it’s also excellent for deterring cabbage loopers, cabbage root maggots, tomato hornworms, whiteflies, and more. 

Start common thyme (T. Vulgaris) from seed indoors early in the spring. Do not overwater and maintain soil temperatures of around 60°F. 

Thyme can tolerate poor soil conditions, but be sure it drains well. Whether growing this herb indoors or out, it likes full sun. Enjoy the leaves and sprigs year-round! 

Rosemary

Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs to cook with and pairs incredibly well with poultry and roasted vegetables. No wonder people love it at Thanksgiving!

If growing outdoors, consider planting rosemary alongside beans, cabbage, and carrots. It helps keep slugs and snails at bay and Mexican bean beetles, carrot rust flies, and cabbage loopers.

Indoors or out, rosemary appreciates sheltered locations that get about six to eight hours of sun every day. If starting from seed, use a heat mat to maintain soil temperatures of 80° to 90°F. Be careful not to overwater!

Cut sprigs as you need them, but allow the plant to partially regrow itself before taking more. 

Parsley

Parsley is another culinary star that boosts flavor in just about any dish. This herb tastes delicious, whether added to sauces or whipped into creamy mashed potatoes.

In the outdoor garden, plant parsley close to tomatoes and asparagus. It helps repel carrot rust flies and asparagus beetles. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost.  

Whether growing Italian parsley or flat-leaf, indoors or out, this herb loves a moderately-rich soil and performs well in full sun to partial shade. When it’s happy, parsley will provide cuttings for many meals to come! 

Need More Growing Advice?

There are many resources out there, but The Old Farmer’s Almanac: Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook offers excellent advice for growing herbs, fruits, and vegetables. It’s certainly worth a read for anyone serious about growing their own food!