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Trendy Basic Herb Gardens

Herb gardens are back in vogue. Both outdoor and indoor herb gardens are witnessing a big revival. Even 'non-gardeners' are waking up to the benefits of growing herbs for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

So what has prompted the renewed popularity of herb gardens? For a start, we're seeing a huge backlash against our reliance on fast foods and processed foods. Today's discerning cooks want the freshest, most flavorsome ingredients at their fingertips, including fresh herbs for adding flavor to their culinary creations.

Herb	Description & Culinary Uses
basil	Green sweet basil and dark opal Basil enhance the flavor of most Mediterranean-style dishes. Spicy globe basil grows to a height of only ten inches and lends itself perfectly to container cultivation.
borage	Subtle-flavored borage has pinkish blue blossoms that add color to even the most boring salads.
chervil	Chervil can be temperamental to transplant. Sweeter than parsley, chervil can be added to stews, egg or fish dishes and salads. Fresh chervil leaves freeze well.
chives	A staple of most herb gardens, chives are good all-rounder herbs for salads, sauces, egg and vegetarian dishes. Strong-flavored Grolau chives make an interesting choice for kitchen window box herb gardens.
cilantro (coriander)	Also known as Chinese parsley, cilantro or coriander lends itself especially to Mexican, Chinese or Indian cuisines. Vietnamese coriander grows no taller than eight inches and packs a punch on flavor.
dill	Dill is easy to grow and has a variety of culinary uses, including making preserves and pickles and flavoring various meat dishes. Dwarf dill is ideal for growing indoors.
garlic	The health benefits of garlic are well documented. Garlic is the must-have herb for the serious cook. Use in meat and vegetarian dishes, marinades, sauces, salads and dips.
marjoram	The subtle flavors of marjoram enhance most lamb or fish dishes, soups and salads.
mint	Mint is easy to grow. Use for flavoring savory dishes, for making mint jelly and in non-alcoholic drinks, or as a garnish for cocktails or ouzo. English mint is particularly suited to growing indoors. Use for making Mint tea.
oregano	Synonymous with Mediterranean cooking, oregano pairs well with seafood, pasta dishes, pizzas, meat and tomato-based recipes and marinades. For a modern spin on traditional oregano, try pungent Greek oregano: big on flavor, but small on space.
parsley	Parsley, flat or curly, has a fairly mild, slightly sweet flavor and is particularly suited to European-style cuisines. Add parsley to salads, soups, sauces and most meat dishes, or use for garnishing.
rosemary	Rosemary has a deliciously fragrant aroma and flavor. Use it to enhance beef, pork, lamb, veal, poultry and seafood dishes. Place rosemary on the barbecue for a wonderful, wafting aroma. The blue boy variety of rosemary is particularly suited to indoor cultivation.
sage	Sage partners well with pork and poultry dishes. Miniature dwarf garden sage is suited to growing indoors.
savory	Savory grows to a height of about twelve inches. Use for seasoning soups, fish and vegetarian dishes.
tarragon	Tarragon, with its delicate licorice flavor, is an important herb in French kitchens. Versatile tarragon pairs well with most fish and poultry dishes, salads, light sauces and dressings.
thyme	Fresh thyme is excellent for flavoring poultry dishes and soups. Broadleaf thyme (or Spanish thyme) has deliciously spicy, fleshy leaves and is great for growing indoors.

Companion Planting For Outdoor Herb Gardens

Use companion plants in outdoor herb gardens to promote growth, repel pests and encourage wildlife. Garlic, with roses or raspberries, is known to repel aphids and Japanese beetles. To attract wildlife and butterflies, plant lavender, rosemary and verbena among the herbs. Basil and tomatoes are also good partners for repelling flies and mosquitoes.

Did you know that . . .
. . . herb gardens are one of the oldest types of gardens in existence?

Basic Herb Garden Design
Urban dwellers need not be deprived of growing herbs just because space is short. Herb gardens can be accommodated in most small backyards, in a single patio container or even a kitchen window box.

For a container herb garden you will need:

containers: A window box or a half barrel container works well, provided that holes are drilled in the base for drainage. Individual pots also work well. Raise containers to help air circulation.
location: Choose a sunny, warm location. Herbs prefer at least four or five hours' direct sunlight, daily. Avoid north-facing window ledges. In colder climates, you can use indoor grow lights.
herb selection: Select herbs that you use regularly for cooking. If you're just starting out, basil, chives, coriander, parsley and oregano are easy to grow both indoors and outdoors.
soil: Use soil with a pH range between 6 and 7.5, or compost with sand or Perlite pre-mix.
planting container herbs: Avoid overcrowding herbs as this stunts growth.

Top Tip
Pick herb leaves early in the day for maximum flavor.

Purchasing Herbs

Springtime is the best time to purchase young herb plants from nurseries, garden centers, local fresh produce markets or specialty mail order suppliers. Choose robust specimens that are not in flower.

Container Herb Garden Maintenance

Water regularly, from the bottom of the container, to ensure that the roots receive sufficient moisture without becoming waterlogged, causing root rot.

During their growing phase, fertilize herbs weekly using organic or proprietary liquid fertilizer.

Control pests using an insecticidal soap or other pesticide specifically formulated for use on herbs.

Nip top center blossoms to prevent the herbs from becoming straggly.