Growing Herbs

How To Grow Herbs In Your Garden

chivesTo a cook or a chef herbs are considered a valuable source in cooking. To a gardener, herbs are even more rewarding due to the beauty of their leaves and for their pleasant aroma.

Growing herbs in your own garden provides a constantly available source of fresh culinary flavouring, which can be used with a wide variety of foods. Herbs also make attractive plants for the garden, and of course release a rich scent adding to the delight of one’s garden. Herbs can be grown in their own part of the garden, preferably close to the kitchen, or if this is not possible, you can mix herbs with other flowering plants in your garden.

The most common herbs are basil, chives, garlic, parsley, mint and rosemary. Herbs need a pliable well rained soil, just as most vegetables do. Some can be grown in sunny positions, and others will do well grown in part shade.

Growing Basil – How To Grow Basil
Basil is an attractive annual plant which grows to around 40cm tall. The plant has shiny oval leaves and white flowers, and prefers full sun for growth, although can tolerate semi shade. Basil makes a good border plant, and grows well in pots or tubs. The leaves have a clove-like flavour, and can be used fresh or dried. Sow the seeds for Basil in spring, and be sure to space plants about 20cm apart.

Growing Chives – How To Grow Chives
A close relative to the onions, shallots and garlic, chives are perennial plants which grow in grass like clumps around 20-30cm in height. They grow well in sun or semi shade, and are ideal for pots and tubs. Sow the seeds for chives in spring, summer or early autumn, spacing the clumps about 30cm apart. New plants can be started by dividing clumps if they become overcrowded. The chopped grass-like leaves of chives are perfect for use in salads, soup, stews, and egg dishes.

Growing Mint – How To Grow Mint
Mint is a scrambling perennial, spreading by means of rhizomes. It is best to grow mint in a large pot or tub, and preferably in a shady damp spot. You can start plants from pieces of stems at any time of the year. The leaves from mint have a strong aroma and flavour, and can be used to make a delicous mint sauce and garnish for meats.

Growing Parsley – How To Grow Parsley
The best known of all herbs, with curled leaf parsely the most common variety. It is a perennial plant which grows to around 30cm in height, and is best grown as an annual. Sow seeds direct in spring, summer or early autumn, either in clumps or spaced 15-20cm apart. Parsley can be grown either in the garden or in large pots or tubs. Seedlings take 21-28 days to appear, so keep the garden bed or container damp for this length of time. Parsley grows well in a sunny or part shade position. You can use the fresh leaves of parsley as a garnish, or use fresh or dried leaves to add flavouring to foods such as salads, vegetables, meats, stews, and soups.

Growing Rosemary – How To Grow Rosemary
Rosemary is an attractive perennial herb that grows approximately 60-150cm tall, with dark green, needle-like leaves and blue flowers. It grows well in sun or semi-shade, but the soil must be well drained. It is suitable for growing in large pots or tubs. Sow seeds in punnets in spring, summer or early autumn, or start the plants from cuttings in late winter. the leaves have a pine-like appearance, and are great to use fresh or dried to flavour foods such as lamb, chicken and casseroles.  

TIPS:
1. If Sage is grown at the edge of a garden within brushing distance of a lawn mower, it will release a wonderful aroma when mixed with freshly mowed grass! 
2. You can also grow mint close to a water tap in your garden, which gives off a minty aroma when it comes into contact with water.
3. Thyme can be grown between paving stones to release its perfume when stepped on during Summer.
4. You can grow parsley in a terracotta pot and mix with other pot plants on or around your patio.

Take a look at this quick reference herb chart. To save to your computer, right click the image and choose “save image as”

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