Herbs for Rookies
Not all herbs are easy going.
There are certain herbs I struggle to grow outdoors, but generally, herbs are the container gardener's friend, as with the right conditions, all herbs will grow well in pots.
So a brief run-down of the ones to marry for years to the one-night-only kind of herb...
Things I know about growing herbs
If you're growing herbs outside, grow from seed or get plugs from a nursery. Supermarket herbs have been grown inside, so will often struggle in your windy little corner of the World.
Water regularly in summer. Some of the annoying ones, they dry out once and you've had it. I'm talking to YOU coriander!
They're not just there to look pretty, the more you eat/prune them, the more they'll reward you with more green stuff and less flowering.
The marrying kind
These guys are well (Tom) Hardy and will survive the Winter...
Bay ~ Every garden needs a small bay tree. Mine was from B&Q and is an absolute sort.
Rosemary ~ Mine used to belong to my Gran, seriously, had it for years.
Sage ~ Keeps going and looks lovely with its grey/green leaves. Cut back in spring.
Thyme ~ Lovely herb, try having lots of different varieties in one pot.
The holiday romances
Plant in spring, water well and eat all summer...
Borage ~ Bit weird, but grow for the bees.
Chervil ~ First time grown from seed this year, but it's still with us.
Chives ~ Pretty easy.
Mint ~ Always plant in a pot as will take over if you let it. Seriously, it's like that loud friend that always gets too drunk and takes over the conversation at parties, so keep it segregated. Might need shelter over a hard winter, but mine survived.
Oregano ~ Easy and looks lovely, but like basil eat regularly to avoid too much leg
Parsley ~ A must have, but tricky from seed, so be really generous and start off in doors in early spring..
The one night stands
Give it ago, but manage expectations...
Basil ~ Fine in the greenhouse, but very flaky outside, probably best for a window sill.
Coriander ~ I struggle with coriander outside, if I manage to keep it alive it quickly bolts and goes to seed.
Tarragon ~ Nothing happened with mine, so lost interest.
Don't know what to do with all that herb?Try Green Stuff with Pearl Barley.
