Grow with Vibrant Rainbow Gardens
Welcome to Grow with Vibrant Rainbow Gardens—the podcast for busy, big-hearted gardeners in Houston and beyond who want to grow more food, more beauty, and more joy… without the stress.
I’m Vandhana Ramamoorthy—garden coach, permaculture enthusiast, and the voice behind Vibrant Rainbow Gardens. Every week, I’ll bring you practical tips, seasonal planting advice, and a little garden magic to help you build a thriving, low-fuss garden that actually fits your real life.
Whether you're growing in raised beds, containers, or the front yard, you’ll learn:
- What to plant (and when!) in our unique Gulf Coast climate
- How to grow organically and sustainably, even if you're short on time
- Ways to make gardening a joyful part of your family’s routine
If you’ve ever said, “I want a garden, but I don’t know where to start,” this podcast is for you.
Grab your coffee—or your compost—and let’s dig in together.
Grow with Vibrant Rainbow Gardens
🌿 Herbs Made Simple – From Garden to Kitchen & Beyond
Did you know a single $3 basil plant can give you $50-$100 worth of fresh herbs in one season? Growing herbs is hands-down one of the best returns on investment in gardening—and in this episode, you'll learn exactly how to do it successfully in the Houston area.
Host Vandhana from Vibrant Rainbow Gardens shares insights from her recent herb gardening workshop at a local Houston nursery, covering everything from planting and harvesting to creative ways to use herbs in your kitchen and wellness routine.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
🌱 Herb Gardening Basics for Houston:
- Which herbs need full sun vs. partial shade
- How to amend Houston's heavy clay soil for herb success
- Container gardening vs. in-ground planting
- Houston-specific planting timeline (what to plant in fall, spring, summer, and winter)
- Why cilantro bolts in summer but thrives in cooler months
- Daily watering needs during Texas summer heat
🌱 Harvesting Tips:
- The "rule of thirds" to keep herbs productive all season
- How to pinch basil to prevent flowering and bitter leaves
- Cut-and-come-again harvesting for parsley, chives, and more
🌱 Personal Stories:
- Growing 3-5 varieties of basil every year (and why kids love grazing on fresh basil)
- The year Vandhana grew Mammoth Basil with leaves the size of her palm
- Why she's NOT scared to grow mint in the ground (and uses it as ground cover under trees)
- How to get kids excited about herbs and adventurous eating
🌱 3 Simple Herb Recipes:
- Herb Compound Butter – gourmet flavor for veggies, pasta, grilled meats, and naan
- DIY Herbal Spray – refreshing summer mist and gentle garden pest repellent
- Basil Simple Syrup – perfect for mocktails, lemonade, and desserts
Herbs Featured: Basil, mint, cilantro, parsley, chives, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and dill
🌐 Connect with Vibrant Rainbow Gardens: Instagram & Facebook: @VibrantRainbowGardens Website: VibrantRainbowGardens.com
Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Why herbs are the best gardening ROI 02:45 – Herb gardening basics for Houston 11:30 – Personal story: My kids' basil obsession & Mammoth Basil 15:00 – Recipe #1: Herb Compound Butter 21:15 – Personal story: Growing mint as ground cover 25:30 – Recipe #2: DIY Herbal Spray 31:45 – Recipe #3: Basil Simple Syrup 38:00 – Quickfire herb tips 41:30 – Wrap-up & free resource
Keywords: herb gardening Houston, how to grow basil, growing herbs in Texas, Houston gardening tips, herb recipes, compound butter recipe, basil simple syrup, urban gardening, container herb garden, Southeast Texas gardening, herb harvesting tips, mint ground cover, perennial herbs Texas