Growing an Indoor Christmas Herb Garden in Utah
Utah's winters can be chilly, but that doesn't mean your green thumb needs to go dormant; keep cultivating fresh flavors of the season with an indoor Christmas herb garden! Here's how to do it:
Selecting the Right Herbs
Opt for herbs that do well indoors, such as rosemary, thyme, sage, and mint. These herbs add a fragrant touch to your holiday dishes while also thriving in a controlled environment, exactly what you want in an indoor kitchen garden!
Choosing an Ideal Location
Place your indoor herb garden near a south-facing window to ensure it receives ample sunlight. If natural light is limited in your kitchen area, you may want to use artificial grow lights to provide the necessary light spectrum for your herbs to grow.
Picking Out the Right Container
Use well-draining containers to prevent waterlogging. We also like using decorative pots for our holiday herb gardens to add a festive touch to our kitchen decor.
Choosing the Right Soil and Watering Schedule
Use a quality potting mix that promotes drainage in your indoor herb garden, watering whenever the topsoil feels dry to ensure it remains moist, but not waterlogged.
Maintaining the Right Temperature and Humidity
For the best results in your herb garden, we recommend keeping your indoor temperature between 60-70°F. Herbs also generally prefer higher humidity, so mist your garden regularly.
Harvesting Your Bounty
Harvest your herbs regularly to encourage new growth. Freshly-harvested herbs add a flavorful burst to your favorite holiday dishes, making your indoor garden a functional and decorative centerpiece of your kitchen. They also make great additions to holiday crafts like wreaths and centerpieces!
Easy-to-Grow Herbs Perfect for the Holidays
Add these herbs to your indoor garden (and your menu) this year for a holiday dinner your guests are sure to remember:
Basil: Basil thrives in Utah's climate with well-drained soil and adds a sweet and slightly peppery flavor to salads, sauces, and desserts.
Thyme: This drought-tolerant herb is ideal for Salt Lake City's dry conditions. It perfectly complements roasted meats, stuffing, and savory side dishes.
Oregano: Oregano prefers full sun, though it does adapt well to Utah's winter climate when grown indoors. It effortlessly enhances the flavor of Mediterranean-inspired holiday dishes, including roasted vegetables and lamb.
Rosemary: Rosemary flourishes in well-drained soil with ample sunlight, infusing roasted meats, potatoes, and bread with a robust, pine-like aroma.
Mint: Mint grows vigorously in Utah's cool climate and is the perfect addition to refreshing holiday beverages, desserts, and lamb marinades.
Exploring Festive Herb-Infused Christmas Meals
Here are a couple of tasty ways to incorporate homegrown herbs into two Christmas classics:
Savory Herb-Infused Roast Turkey
Transform your holiday turkey into a masterpiece by rubbing it with a blend of fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage. These aromatic herbs add an incredible depth of flavor to your roast while also filling your home with a tantalizing aroma that will have your guests eagerly awaiting the main course.
Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Potatoes
Upgrade your side dish game by infusing your roasted potatoes with homegrown rosemary and garlic. The earthy aroma of rosemary, combined with the rich flavor of garlic, transforms this Christmas favorite into something truly spectacular!
Herb Pairings for Traditional Holiday Flavors
Keep the inventive flavors coming by exploring festive herb pairings that complement traditional tastes. Try these tasty combinations to add a creative flair to your holiday menu this year:
Mint and Chocolate: Refreshing mint plays perfectly with the richness of chocolate holiday desserts. Try mint-chocolate cookies or cake, hot cocoa with a minty twist, or mint-infused brownies for tasty treats that will surprise and delight!
Basil and Cranberry Sauce: Infusing your cranberry sauce with a hint of basil gives it a surprising burst of flavor. Basil's aromatic notes elevate the tangy sweetness of cranberries, creating a unique side dish.
Rosemary and Roasted Meats: Roasting meats like turkey or ham with sprigs of fresh rosemary imparts them with a savory, pine-like depth of flavor, transforming these mains into holiday showstoppers.
Thyme and Stuffing: The fragrant, earthy flavor of fresh thyme perfectly complements the savory elements of a classic Christmas stuffing.
Sage and Buttery Mashed Potatoes: Fresh sage adds warmth that works incredibly well with the creaminess of classic buttery mashed potatoes, creating a comforting holiday side dish packed with a savory herbal kick!
This festive season, as you hang your holiday wreath again, let the flavors of fresh, homegrown herbs elevate your favorite Christmas dishes and change the way you see your herb garden long into the new year. From all of us here at Millcreek Gardens, have a wonderful holidays and a fantastic new year.
Bon Appetit, Salt Lake City!