The Summer Simmer Pot You Can Make Using Plants From Your Garden

When it comes to making your home smell fresh, there are plenty of routes you can take, from purchasing a scented candle to finding a gorgeous room freshener. In an age where everything is bought and sold, however, it can be a rewarding experience to create something with your own two hands, especially if you've already grown everything you need for the project. Fortunately, you can perfectly synthesize the desire for a beautiful-smelling home with the craving to create by crafting your own summer simmer pot with a few simple plants from your garden.

A simmer pot is a simple method for infusing the air with bright fragrances (it's also the old-fashioned way that Joanna Gaines keeps a home smelling fresh). It involves combining a number of simple ingredients into a pot on your stovetop, then simmering it for an extended period of time. As it simmers away, the liquid will steam, releasing the scents of the ingredients into the air. Sourcing the ingredients for your simmer pot straight from your garden is ideal, as you'll always have the additions on hand. One TikTok creator, @silvershieldmaiden, recommends a blend that includes rosemary, mint, tomato leaves, salt, lemon, sun water, and daisies to create a beautiful looking and smelling blend. Though it is an incredibly straightforward recipe, this simmer pot can infuse your home with summery vibes without costing much.

While you can absolutely copy the aforementioned recipe for your own home, not every garden has the same ingredients. In that case, there are many simmer pot recipes that can give your house a refresh. Homeowners with an herb garden can get creative, including ingredients like a sprig of rosemary, several leaves of mint, and a few orange peels for a lovely profile and refreshing smell. You can also go for a romantic appeal by blending fresh lavender sprigs alongside lemon; add in a bit of mint for an optimistic lift. Thyme and oregano add plenty of depth and complexity to any recipe. Regardless of what you put into the pot for fragrance, fill it about three-fourths full with water, bring the mixture to a boil, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Always supervise the pot, and add more water as needed if you want to keep it going.

When it comes to sourcing ingredients for your simmer pot from the garden, you'll want to avoid over-harvesting your plants. Some herbs do wonderfully with regular harvesting. That includes rosemary, which will continually put out new shoots when it is cut. Other herbs, however, like lavender, can have their growth limited if you cut the lower sprigs rather than the uppermost flower portion. Mint is an herb that tends to grow well and spread rapidly, but to protect your supply, it is wise to harvest only one-third of a plant, so as not to overstress it. Whatever recipe you try in your simmer pot, finding inspiration in your own garden is as original as it gets. If you want to bulk up your garden, here are some easy to grow herbs that can take the heat and will thrive all summer long.