Herbs can be used in various ways, start growing your own herb garden now!

Probably one of the most useful and beautiful plants, herbs have multiply uses they have a pleasant aroma (scented plants), great taste (food), appearance (beautiful garden plants) and have medicinal uses. Herbs can be used in various forms they can be consumed fresh, dried, frozen or preserved.

Actually its next to impossible to visualize today's' meal in a 5 star restaurant without some form of herb or another. Herbs are used in the production of flavoured vinegar, herb butter and herbal teas which have flocked most store shelves.

Because of their pleasant aroma, herbs are also used to make Potpourri which can be placed either in sachets or available loosely. The potpourri smells nice and is perfect decorations.

Is it possible for me to grow herbs?

Yes! Herbs are very easy to grow either on your balcony, patio or in your garden. You do not need a PhD to be able to grow them and all they need is perfect care. Herbs can grow practically anywhere indoors, outdoors, in containers or in the large herb garden.

Herbs can be grown strictly for their beauty and they can be propagated amongst flowers or if they are grown for consumption then they can be grown for consumption then they can be grown among vegetables close to the kitchen.

Better yet you can have one herb garden that looks both beautiful and provide natural tasty food.

Herbs grow well in positions that are subjected to the sun- however they are some that will thrive in shady positions.

What soil should I use?

Choose planting soil that is well drained and which is free from large clumps. If the soil is not perfectly drained then you can add some organic matter to the soil. Plough the soil to a depth of 20-30cm and if there is a need to add organic matter then do so. Ensure that the soil in the container is loose adding small stones and hard material to the buttom to help improve drainage.

Watering herbs

You will need to irrigate the herbs on a regular basis until harvest period. The soil must not be left dry (i.e. if its dry 1,25cm below the surface then you will need to irrigate profusely). Ensure that the soil is not soaked though. If you are growing your herbs in a container then water the top of the soil or stand the container in water letting the soil soak up sufficient water until the top soil is wet.

Harvesting herbs

Herbs can be harvested at different times depending on the particular variety. Basil can be harvested and cooked at the same time while sage needs to be dried out first after harvesting before it can be cooked. Some herbs are only harvested in order to get the seeds (only harvest these when the seeds heads are brown).

General information on Herbs

Variety  Botanical name  Type  Start Container  Location Edible  Tea Medical Decorative Fragrant
Catnip Nepeta cataria Perennial indoors and outdoors No sun and partial shade Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Chamomile Matricaria recutita Annual indoors and outdoors Yes sun and partial shade No Yes Yes No Yes
Chervil Antihriscus cerefolium Annual outdoors Yes sun and partial shade Yes Yes Yes No No
Chives Alium schoenoprasum Perennial indoors and outdoors Yes full sun Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Cinnamon Basil Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' Annual outdoors Yes full sun Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Cilantro Coriandrum sativum Annual outdoors Yes full sun Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Dill Anethum graveolens Annual outdoors No full sun Yes No Yes Yes No
Fernleaf Dill Anethum graveolens 'Fernleaf' Annual outdoors No full sun Yes No Yes Yes No
Garlic Chives Allium tuberosum Perennial indoors and outdoors Yes full sun Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Italian Parsley Petroselinum crispum neupolitanum Perennial indoors and outdoors Yes sun and partial shade Yes No Yes No No
Lavender Lavendula angustifolia Perennial indoors and outdoors Yes sun and partial shade Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis Perennial indoors and outdoors Yes partial shade Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Lemon Basil Ocimum basilicum citrodorum Annual indoors and outdoors Yes full sun Yes Yes No No Yes
Mint Mentha spp. Perennial indoors Yes partial shade Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Oregano Origanum vulgare Perennial indoors and outdoors Yes partial shade Yes No Yes Yes No
Parsley Petroselinum crispum Perennial indoors and outdoors Yes sun and partial shade Yes No Yes No No
Purple Basil Ocimum basilicum 'Purple' Annual indoors and outdoors Yes full sun Yes Yes No No Yes
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Perennial indoors Yes full sun Yes No Yes No Yes
Safflower Red Carthamus tinctorius Annual outdoors No full sun Yes No No Yes No
Sage Salvia officinalis Perennial indoors No full sun Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Spearmint Mentha spicata Perennial indoors Yes partial shade Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Summer Savory Satureja hortensis Annual indoors and outdoors Yes full sun Yes No Yes No No
Sweet Basil Ocimum basilicum Annual indoors and outdoors Yes full sun Yes Yes No No Yes
Sweet Marjoram Origanum marjorana Perennial indoors Yes full sun Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Thai Basil Ocimum basilicum 'Thai' Annual outdoors Yes full sun Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Thyme Thymus vulgaris Perennial indoors Yes sun and partial shade Yes Yes Yes No Yes