You don't need a green thumb to reap the benefits of herbs — cancer-fighting antioxidants, valuable nutrients, deep flavour, and more. You can grow your own herb garden in pots, in a window box in your kitchen, in a raised bed or your yard. How? Here's an herb-by-herb guide to getting started.
Parsley
A popular garnish and an underrated seasoning, parsley is perfect with eggs, soups, sauces and fish. It complements other herbs, and is an indispensable component of bouquet garni (along with thyme, marjoram and bay leaf).
- Needs sun and moist, sandy, well-drained soil.
- Plant spring to fall.
- Harvest when plant is about eight inches high, or as needed.
Sage
The leaves of this plant add flavour to pork, poultry and veal, as well as to hearty soups. May be grown from seeds or cuttings. Not suitable for indoors, since sage can grow to a height of three feet.
- Needs sun and well-drained soil.
- Plant in spring.
- Harvest just before plant flowers.
Rosemary
The tiny, silver-green leaves of this aromatic, flavourful plant make an ideal accompaniment to lamb, beef and other meat dishes. May be grown from seeds or cuttings.
- Needs sun and well-drained soil.
- Plant in spring.
- Harvest any time.
Thyme
This strongly flavoured herb is excellent in soups, casseroles and meat dishes. Can be propagated from root divisions and cuttings, as well as from seeds.
- Needs sun and light, sandy soil.
- Plant in spring.
- Harvest leaves just before plant flowers.
Chives
Very mild members of the onion family, chives are easy to grow. They are delicious finely chopped over egg dishes, soups, fish, chicken, salads and steamed vegetables, or mixed into soft cheeses and dips.
- Needs sun and rich, well-drained soil.
- Plant in spring.
- Harvest just before plant flowers.
Basil
There are several types of this wonderfully aromatic herb — sweet basil is one of the most popular. It complements tomatoes beautifully, and is wonderful with pasta and for pepping up salads. Make your own pesto sauce by blending basil together with pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and Parmesan cheese.
- Needs sun and rich, moist soil.
- Plant at the end of spring or beginning of summer.
- Harvest in early autumn.
Dill
The seeds of this fragrant, feathery herb add piquant flavour to cabbage, coleslaw, breads, dill pickles and vegetable dishes. The leaves are delicious with fish, eggs, potato salads and other dishes. Not suitable for indoors, since dill grows to three feet and isn't easily transplanted.
- Needs rich, moist, well-drained soil and a sunny, sheltered position.
- Plant in spring.
- Harvest when the plant comes into bloom.
Mint
There are many varieties of this cool, clean-flavoured herb. Use in herbal tea, as a flavouring for vegetables, salads, sweets and as a sauce with lamb. Can be grown from root division or stem cutting.
- Needs sun and moist, well-drained soil.
- Plant in spring.
- Harvest when plant comes into bloom.
Oregano
Strongly-scented oregano is perfect in pizza, pasta and Mediterranean cooking, and is great sprinkled over meat before roasting. May be grown from seeds or propagated from root division or stem cuttings.
- Needs sun and alkaline, well-drained soil.
- Plant in spring.
- Harvest just before plant blooms.
Herbs on ice
Herbs taste best when used fresh, but here are some ideas for perfect preservation:
- Dry extras on racks set in the shade.
- Chop finely and place with water in ice cube trays in your freezer.
- Add the resulting herb ice blocks to soups and casseroles for fabulous fresh flavour. Hint: Mint "ice blocks" are delicious in cool drinks.