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Zest up your cooking and improve your garden’s aesthetic all at the same time by growing your own herb garden! Not only do herbs add incredible aroma and taste to your meals, but they also provide a host of health benefits. 

So what herbs should you consider planting in your garden?

Here are some of our favourites:

Thyme: A staple in many Mediterranean dishes and pairs well with poultry, fish, and vegetables. This fragrant herb is also a natural antiseptic and can help soothe coughs and sore throats.

Mint: There are so many varieties of mint, including peppermint, spearmint, and chocolate mint. Excellent for adding flavour to desserts and cocktails and also has digestive benefits.

Chives: With its mild, onion flavour, chives make a great addition to soups, salads, and dips. They are also a good source of vitamins A and C.

Oregano: An Italian cuisine staple that pairs well with any tomato-based dish. It also has immune-boosting antibacterial properties.

Rosemary: Pairs perfectly with roasted meats and vegetables due to its robust flavour. This woody herb is also said to have memory-enhancing properties.

Marjoram: This herb has a sweet, delicate flavour that’s great for seasoning meats, vegetables, and soups. It’s also said to have calming properties.

Lavender: Often considered to be a decorative plant, lavender adds a floral flavour to desserts and teas. Although it’s best known for helping promote relaxation.

Sage: This herb has a slightly bitter, earthy flavour that pairs well with fatty meats like pork and duck. Sage is also said to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Now that you know which herbs to plant, how do you go about growing them?

Location, location: Most herbs prefer full sun, so choose a spot in your garden that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.

Use well-draining soil: Herbs don’t like to have wet feet, so make sure the soil in your garden is well-draining. If you have heavy clay soil, consider adding some sand or perlite to improve drainage.

Water regularly: While herbs don’t like to be waterlogged, they do need regular watering to thrive. Aim to water your herbs deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather.

Harvest regularly: The more you harvest your herbs, the bushier and more productive they will become. Be sure to pinch off any flowers that appear, as this can signal the end of the plant’s productive life.

Once you’ve grown your herbs, it’s time to put them to use in the kitchen.

Oils. Zing up your dressings, marinades, and even your roasted vegetables. Steep your favourite herbs in olive oil for a week or two to make a simple herb-infused oil. 

Butter. Add flavour to grilled meats and vegetables with this easy to make fragrant herb butter. Mix softened butter with chopped herbs and a pinch of salt, it’s also perfect spread on crusty bread for a quick snack.

Tea. Relax by brewing a soothing herbal tea by steeping lavender, chamomile, or mint in hot water.

Season. An absolute classic! Use rosemary and thyme to season roasted potatoes or other root vegetables.

Salads. Add extra flavour and nutrition with some chopped herbs in your salads.

Pesto. Punch up pasta with a pesto of fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil by blending them in a food processor. Makes a lovely marinade for grilled chicken and even as a spread in a sandwich.

Eggs. Add a pop of colour and flavour to scrambled eggs or omelettes with some chives.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to using fresh herbs in cooking. Not only do they add incredible flavour and aroma to your meals, but they also provide a host of health benefits too. So why not give herb gardening a try?