I grow several varieties of herbs and they always get used in the kitchen to add a bit of ‘zing’ to my cooking.
Beginners should have no problem at all growing a herb garden. All they need is a sunny spot and away you go.
I should really have my herbs near the house so I can grab them quickly when culinary inspiration strikes – but they’re actually at the furthest end of my garden (except for a lavender bed) which is very bad planning on my part!
Most of the herbs I’ve planted myself, although there is some mint just outside the house that is growing rather rampant and needs putting into containers!
My herb garden is organic – no chemicals – so they are going to be the best I can get.
At the moment, I’m growing mint (+ apple mint), coriander, basil, chives, thyme, rosemary and flat-leafed parsley (which a friend gave me).
They were planted out on the 3rd May in containers and left on the path inside my vegetable plot (which is covered with netting). The chives are older seeds so not sure whether they’ll grow or not.
Now for the science! Many herbs are perennials and will come back year after year (lavender, thyme, sage and rosemary). They really need to be outside in a bed, but as I mentioned before, take care with spearmint (stick it in a container) which will spread like a Triffid!
Annual herbs include dill, basil and parsley. They are ideally suited to containers and pots.
Herbs don’t need an awful lot of looking after, but I suggest you add a little compost (you are making your own, aren’t you?). Some gardeners suggest adding seaweed extract but I’ve never done this.
Mint and rosemary I just grab and use straight from the garden. Some herbs, I pick just before the flowers bloom and then I dry them in the kitchen (they smell great and are full of essential oils!). Try to pick them when it is a dry day. Herbs can be strung up around the kitchen on a wire.
As I know where my herbs are coming from, I rarely wash them.
Herbs will store for ages and you can crush the leaves or store them whole in airtight jars and containers.
I cook with my herbs but I’ve never tried using them as medicines. If you’ve got experience of herbal medicine, I’d love to hear from you!
Alan
