Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones and enjoy delicious homemade meals. The right herbs can add a burst of flavor and fragrance to your holiday dishes, making them even more memorable. Growing your own herbs, such as sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley, ensures that you have the freshest ingredients right at your fingertips for your Thanksgiving feast. In this blog, we’ll explore how to cultivate these essential Thanksgiving herbs at home so that you can enjoy a holiday everyone is sure to remember with recipes enhanced with homegrown, aromatic flavors.
How to Grow Thanksgiving Herbs
Most Thanksgiving herbs, like sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley, are relatively easy to grow and can thrive in garden beds or containers. These herbs typically prefer well-drained soil, plenty of sunlight, and regular watering. Below we will cover the most popular Thanksgiving herbs, including tips on planting, growing, and harvesting. Find all the information you need to cultivate a thriving herb garden that will enhance your Thanksgiving feast with homegrown flavors.
Parsley
Parsley adds a fresh, slightly peppery flavor to a variety of Thanksgiving dishes. It’s often used as a garnish for stuffing, roasted vegetables, and soups, or incorporated into herb butters and sauces to enhance the overall flavor of the meal. Being relatively easy to grow, parsley is a great turkey herb for beginners to dabble with. If you want to grow parsley from seed, you will need to plan ahead a bit, as parsley seeds take 2-4 weeks to germinate. Another more timely option is to purchase parsley plants from your local garden center. These plants can be transferred to a garden or container and their leafy goodness can be used immediately.
Tips for Growing Parsley: Parsley thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It requires consistent moisture, so regular watering is essential to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. When grown from seed, parsley can take 70-90 days to reach maturity. Starting with a plant can cut this time down, allowing you to harvest sooner. Parsley can be grown in a traditional garden throughout the growing season, as well as in a container. Bring your container herbs indoors when the weather starts to cool off to keep your herbs going throughout the winter.
Sage
Sage is a quintessential turkey herb, adding its warm, earthy flavor to classic dishes like stuffing, roasted turkey, and herb butter. It is also commonly used in marinades and soups, bringing a comforting aroma and taste to the holiday meal. Sage is relatively easy to grow, especially when you purchase a plant start. It’s a low-maintenance herb once established and can thrive even in less-than-ideal soil conditions.
Tips for Growing Sage: Growing sage from seed can be a bit challenging as the seeds have a lower germination rate and take a while to establish. It’s often more convenient to start with a young plant, which provides a quicker route to a healthy, productive sage bush. Sage grown from seed can take up to 75 days to reach maturity, whereas a plant can be ready to harvest from within a few weeks of planting, depending on its initial size. Sage thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil. It’s a drought-tolerant herb, so it doesn’t need frequent watering. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. Sage can also be grown in containers, just be sure to plant it in a large enough container and bring it indoors when the weather turns cold to keep the plant from dying.
Rosemary
Rosemary’s piney, aromatic flavor makes it a perfect addition to Thanksgiving dishes. It’s often used to season roasted meats, such as turkey, lamb, or ham. It also pairs well with roasted vegetables, savory breads, and herb butters, adding a fragrant touch to the holiday meal. Rosemary is notoriously difficult to grow from seed due to low germination rates and the long time it takes to establish. It’s much easier and faster to start with a young plant, which will give you a head start and a more reliable harvest. Check out your local Garden Center for available herbs!
Tips for Growing Rosemary: Rosemary thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil. It’s a Mediterranean herb, so it doesn’t require a lot of water. Be sure to allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. Grown from seed, rosemary can take several months to a year to reach maturity, whereas purchasing a plant will have you ready to harvest within a few weeks to a couple of months after transplanting, depending on its size.
Thyme
Thyme has a subtle, earthy flavor that complements many dishes, making it a favorite among the many Thanksgiving and turkey herbs. It is often used in stuffing, roasted turkey, and vegetable dishes. Thyme can also be added to savory breads and herb butter, enhancing the flavor of the entire meal with its delicate aroma. Thyme can be grown from seed, but it requires patience, as the seeds are slow to germinate and grow. It’s much easier and quicker to start with a small plant from a nursery, which will establish more rapidly and be ready to harvest sooner.
Tips for Growing Thyme: When grown from seed, thyme can take up to a year to fully mature. We recommend purchasing a plant start so that you can begin using this delicious herb in the kitchen sooner rather than later. Depending on the size of the plant, you can begin harvesting sprigs within a few weeks to a couple of months after transplanting. Thyme thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is a drought-tolerant herb, so it requires minimal watering. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, as thyme doesn’t like to be too wet.
Oregano
Oregano’s robust, slightly peppery flavor adds depth to a variety of Thanksgiving dishes. It's commonly used in seasoning for turkey, stuffing, and roasted vegetables. Oregano can also be incorporated into herb butter or used in marinades and sauces, enhancing the flavor profile of traditional Thanksgiving fare. Oregano grown from seed can take up to 3 months to become established and ready for light harvesting. Starting with a plant can reduce this time significantly, with full growth and harvestable leaves ready within a few weeks to a month after planting.
Tips for Growing Oregano: Growing oregano from seed is moderately difficult because it requires careful attention to watering and light. Starting with a plant is much easier and recommended for beginners, as it establishes more quickly and with less effort. Oregano thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s a drought-tolerant herb that prefers slightly dry conditions, so water only when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering, as oregano is susceptible to root rot in soggy soil.
Marjoram
Marjoram is a less common herb that is highly underrated. It has a sweet, mild, and slightly floral flavor that pairs beautifully with poultry and stuffing, making it a classic herb for Thanksgiving recipes. It is often used in turkey seasoning blends and can also enhance the flavor of roasted vegetables, soups, and gravies, adding a delicate, savory note to traditional holiday dishes. Growing marjoram from seed can be a bit tricky due to its slow germination and sensitivity to overwatering. It's easier to start with a plant, which is more forgiving and beginner-friendly.
Tips for Growing Marjoram: Marjoram can be grown from seed, but it has a relatively low germination rate and can take a while to establish. For quicker and more reliable results, it’s recommended to start with a young plant from a nursery, which will be ready for harvest sooner and with less hassle. Marjoram requires full sun to thrive and prefers well-drained soil. It’s a drought-tolerant herb that doesn’t like to be overwatered, so let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. It’s best to water marjoram when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch.
Chives
Chives add a mild onion flavor to dishes and can be used fresh as a garnish or in cooking. These Thanksgiving herbs are excellent in mashed potatoes, soups, and salads, and can be sprinkled on top of turkey or stuffing for a fresh, vibrant touch. Their bright green color also enhances the visual appeal of holiday meals. Chives are relatively easy to grow, making them a great choice for both novice and experienced gardeners wishing to grow a Thanksgiving garden. They are resilient and can thrive in various conditions, though they do prefer cooler temperatures. Chives are also a great option for indoor gardening, as they grow well in containers.
Tips for Growing Chives: Chives can be grown from seed or as young plants. Starting from seed can be rewarding, but it requires patience and attention. Using established plants is quicker and easier, especially for those who want to harvest chives sooner. When grown from seed, chives typically take about 60-90 days to mature. If you start with established plants, you can begin harvesting fresh chives in as little as 2-3 weeks after planting. Chives thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer well-draining soil. They require regular watering, especially during dry spells, but be careful not to overwater, as soggy soil can lead to root rot. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Find Thanksgiving Herbs and Seeds at Bath Garden Center
As Thanksgiving approaches, there's no better way to enhance your holiday meals than by incorporating fresh Thanksgiving herbs into your dishes. At Bath Garden Center, we have a wide selection of Thanksgiving herbs and seeds, perfect for planting in your garden or growing indoors in a container garden. Whether you’re looking for classic herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme, or you want to try something new, our knowledgeable staff is here to help you find exactly what you need. Celebrate the season by growing your own herbs, and enjoy the rich flavors they bring to your Thanksgiving feast. Visit us today to get started on your herbal journey!