If you are looking for an affordable, easy and great way to enhance the flavour of your foods, then start an herb garden. Herbs take little effort and do not need much space. In fact, it’s best to plant herbs in containers to keep the soil well drained. This way you can bring them inside during the cooler months too.
Here are 8 herbs to plant in your garden this spring:
Basil
Basil has a warm and spicy flavour that pairs perfectly with soups and sauces. The best way to use up basil is to make pesto, and it’s also great in homemade tomato sauce. Basil can be seeded directly into the garden during late spring and needs lots of sunlight.
Chervil
Chervil is an herb that has a similar flavour to anise seeds. It is an uncommon herb that won’t traditionally be found in grocery stores, but it adds great flavour to your morning eggs. Plant chervil when there are no signs of frost to come, because it’s sensitive to cold temperatures.
Cilantro
Cilantro is a great herb to add a fresh flavour to guacamole and salsas. It also aids digestion and is high in potassium. Make sure to keep your cilantro and parsley separate to not confuse the two, because they do look very similar. Pick a spot in the garden that offers the most sunlight and well-drained soil. Cilantro is sensitive to drought, so make sure to keep the soil moist.
Epazote
If you enjoy cooking Mexican food then you need epazote in your garden, because it is unlikely you will find it in a grocery store. It has a peppery and minty flavor that is often found in beans and stews at Mexican restaurants. Once the danger of frost has passed, plant epazote in well-drained soil with access to full sun.
Dill
Dill is widely used in Europe to enhance the flavor of fish, potatoes, and dairy. It is most commonly known for pickling. It has an earthy flavour and aroma. You will want to sow dill seeds directly into your garden because they do not grow well when transplanted.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is an herb from the mint family that has a mild lemon aroma. It is commonly used for its medicinal benefits as it helps upset stomach and bloating. Lemon balm can be seeded indoors during the colder months and then transplanted outdoors in late spring.
Mint
Use this herb to add a nice kick to your tea or water. You can also use it a variety of cocktails and dessert recipes. Mint pairs really well with lamb. Mint, like most herbs, should be grown in a pot to allow the soil to drain. Not only that, mint tends to take over any space that is available, so growing it in a pot helps keep it manageable.
Parsley
Parsley is mostly used as a garnish, but it provides a lot of nutritional value and can be added to pretty much any dish. This herb can grow in full sunlight or partial shade and needs moist, nutrient-rich soil.
To have the best results this year, keep each herb separate and make sure they have plenty of sunlight and water. A great idea for herbs is to use individual terracotta pots for planting so that you can plant whatever you want and move them around as needed.
Leave a Reply