Enjoy some fresh-from-the-earth taste at your dinner table by planting some easy-to-grow and easy-to-use herbs in your home. Herb gardening is a wonderful past time and is a great way to keep your cooking fresh and delicious. If you’re planting a herb garden, these are the “Top 10 herbs” you need to include.
Basil. Sow basil seeds directly in your garden in late spring or in pot near a sunny window in early spring to grow some beautiful healthy basil. Basil leaves are very versatile and can be used as a base for pesto or seasoning and for garnishes.
Chives. Chive seeds are best planted in spring or autumn about 1cm deep and 30cm apart in rows. The leaves are great to add in any dish and taste fantastic in potato bake, scrambled eggs or you can make a delicious cream cheese, sweet chilli and chive dip.
Coriander. Sow the seeds in early spring, no more than 1cm deep and 30cm apart in rows. This versatile herb is very easy to use, from the roots to the seeds. Grind dry seeds to powder and dust over veal for a tasty seasoning. Freeze the roots and pop them in your soup or stir-fry to add a great burst of flavour. The leaves can be chopped finely and added to any dish for beautiful, rich flavour.
Dill. Sow the seeds in early spring, ½ cm deep and 20cm apart in rows. As the leaves have a sharp, slightly bitter taste, dill is commonly used to flavour fish, soup, potatoes, and meat.
Fennel. Sow groups of 3 or 4 seeds in mid-spring, 1cm deep and 45cm apart to plant some fennel. Fennel often leaves a sweet aftertaste and is particularly delish in sauces for fish, pork or veal. It tastes beautiful in a seasoning for turkey meat.
Mint. To plant mint, sow the seeds in spring or autumn with plenty of water, 5cm deep and 30cm apart in your garden. Fresh mint is easy to grow and even easier to use – check out our other article on Top 10 Uses for Mint.
Parsley. Parsley can be planted any time of the year and will be ready to cutting within three months. Parsley can be mixed into salads, soups, stews, casseroles, and omelettes. Alternatively, it can be garnished with meat, fish, and onion dishes. It’s great for your immune system, as it helps to flush excess fluid from the body, heal the nervous system, and tone the body.
Sage. Sow sage seeds in early spring for beautiful, fragrant plants. This aromatic herb has wonderful health-promoting properties that are held highly by the International Herb Association. Sage is known to treat uterine bleeding and diarrhoea. So, start planting and add a few leaves to your poultry stuffing, cheese dishes and lamb stews for a richer flavour and health benefits.
Tarragon. Unfortunately, tarragon does not grow true from seeds, so set out nursery grown plants in early spring to reap the benefits of this anise-flavoured herb. It is often the constituent of tartar sauces and many chutneys, it is also excellent with lamb, egg dishes, stews, melted butter, and cheese dishes.
Thyme. Sow thyme seeds in mid-spring in a shaded area. This mild-lemon flavoured herb provides anti-oxidant properties and can be sprinkled over cheese, eggs, vegetables, and poultry for a subtle flavour.
Herbs have wonderful health properties and are fantastic additions in cooking to enhance flavours. Herb gardens are easy to set up and low maintenance so get gardening today!
What are your favourite herbs? Do you have any herb garden tips or tricks to share?