Our top 5 herbs to grow this year have been chosen by our Chef in Lavenders for their easy-to-grow habits, tastiness on the dish and benefits to wildlife. There are so many herbs to grow that you may want to try all of them or add in some of your favourites. We always recommend growing at least one herb you regularly cook with and at least one other you’ve never tried before. That way, you can experiment with growing something new, but with the assurance that you’ll also have some herbs to use in the kitchen. We love herbs, and most can be grown from seeds or bought as a container-grown plant and planted out where you want them to grow or on your kitchen window sill.
- Basil
- Parsley
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Rosemary
Basil
Basil is perfect for pizza and pasta dishes, and homegrown Basil has an incredible flavour that can’t be rivalled with shop-bought packets. Basil needs a sunny, sheltered position in well-drained compost and grows well in the sun whether planted in the ground or containers. A warm sunny windowsill will do if you have little or no space. Basil will grow all summer and can be potted up numerous times as the roots pop out of the bottom.
Parsley
Parsley is perhaps the herb most used in the kitchen and is packed with nutrients. It’s easy to grow from seed or get a head start with one already growing in a pot. Curly or Flat Leaf Parsley is a tasty and nutritious addition to recipes. If you sow from seed, be patient as they can take a month to grow, but it will be well worth it. Keep them well watered and keep harvesting to encourage more growth.
Thyme
Thyme has a distinctive taste which complements Mediterranean cooking. It is also a herb used widely to enhance the flavour of dishes such as soups, stews, meats and vegetables. To successfully grow thyme, plant in well-draining soil with full sunlight and water sparingly. Thyme is also ideal for companion planting near other herbs such as rosemary and vegetables like cabbages and tomatoes and also adds a lovely aroma to your garden.
Oregano
Oregano is highly nutritious, can be used in all kinds of recipes, like most herbs, and can be dried and stored for use all year around. Oregano, like most herbs, can be grown in a container or a border, and although it will require water regularly, don’t overwater as this can cause the roots to rot. Keeping the plants in shape is easy by picking to eat and trimming after flowering in summer. The flowers will attract numerous pollinators and is a joy to see.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a woody herb that can grow for years and years with pretty little purple flowers perfect for pollinators. Cut back the stems after flowering to stop them from getting too leggy. Rosemary doesn’t need much watering unless it is scorched, and some organic plant feed can help to keep them healthy.
We have a range of herbs on sale at Lakeside, both as seeds and plants. Visit us and ask our team for advice on which to will grow this year.
