| Herb Growing Guide Herbs are extremely useful for flavouring a wide rage of foods. The flavour of fresh herbs is many times better than dried herbs, and a supply of fresh herbs growing in the garden is of enormous benefit to the cook trying to produce the most delicious meal possible. The most popular culinary herbs are: Bay, Basil, Parsley (flat leaved), Sage, Thyme, Rosemary and Mint. It is also worth experimenting with the more unusual Culinary Herbs such as Sorrel (used as a meat tenderiser) and English Mace (Great with chicken) Growing herbs: Herbs are very easy to grow, an are very tolerant of a wide range of soil types and situations. The main thing to remember is that the Mediterranean herbs: Sage, Thyme, Rosemary and Lavender are happiest is a sunny spot on free draining soil, and will need very little fertiliser. (Thyme in particular is happiest on poor soil.) Because of their aromatic oil, herbs tend to be very resistant to mosts pests and diseases. Basils - Needs full sun and protection from slugs. They are very frost tender, protect from temperatures 0°c and below. They are an annual herb, which mean they will die after one year, the exception to this is African blue basil, which doesn't die in winter; it can be brought inside and treated as a house plant during the colder months. Lavender - Likes a sunny position and well-drained soil. After flowering they needs cutting down to within 1inch (2.5cm) of the previous year growth. Mints - thrive in any soil, but as they can be invasive, its best to grow them in pots sunk into the ground or in containers. Buddleia mint and Apple mint are less invasive than most of the others. Mints have a better and more individual flavour when grown apart from other varieties of mint. Unlike most hardy herbs, they can be susceptible to slug attack. Parsley - Likes a moist, rich soil, with well-rotted manure if possible. It will run to seed in the second year, but it will self-seed itself if it likes the soil. Rosemary's and Sages - Like a well-drained, slightly sandy soil. They are resistant to most pest and diseases, although pineapple sage is very susceptible to slug attack when young. Mature plants should be pruned in the spring, after the risk of frosts has passed. Thymes - Prefer well-drained soil and have the strongest flavour when grown on poor soil. They need cutting back hard after flowering to stop them becoming woody. Growing herbs in containers: Almost all herbs can be grown in containers easily. Herbs especially suited for containers are: All Basils, Rosemarys and Sages, Hyssop, Pineapple mint, Oregano, Lemon thyme, Silver posie thyme, the Lavenders Hidcote and Kew red. Herbs for ground cover: A few herbs make excellent ground cover plants: For sunny spots: Chamomile and Pennyroyal and Thyme Snowdrift. For shady/semi shady places: Corsican mint and Sweet woodruff. Sweet woodruff is especially good for growing under deciduous trees, and will provide a carpet of white flowers in the spring . |
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Recommend Reading: New Book of Herbs Jekka McVicar's book is exceptionally well written, and has great tips for first time gardeners and more experienced growers. Useful practical details and hints as well as general information about organic growing techniques. RHS Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses This Beautifully illustrated reference book provides a comprehensive A-Z of herbs, with cultivation, propagation and harvesting information. It also includes features on beneficial properties, including culinary and medicinal uses. The Edible Container Garden: Fresh Food from Tiny Spaces Guide to growing herbs, vegetables and fruit in containers on balconies, rooftops, windowsills, or in small gardens. |
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