Lets Learn: Herbs 101

Add flavour to your life and garden by growing your own herbs.  A little bit of garden real estate near your kitchen door makes it convenient to harvest fresh herbs for any meal. 

GENERALITIES

Herbs plants are grown mainly for culinary use, and they also add fragrance and beauty to the home garden.  Generally difficult to start from seed, herbs are easy to cultivate from cuttings, and easy to maintain.  While many herbs are perennial in warmer climates, in colder climates they must either be brought inside for the winter, or treated as annuals.  Cut off any flowers that appear so the plant’s energy can be directed to producing leaves. Pruning herbs promotes vigorous growth - so that's great incentive to use them!  

PROPAGATION

Many herbs can be propagated from cuttings taken from established plants, or even from fresh herbs sold at the grocery store.  Choose a tender 2-6” stem with a leaf bud at the end.  

For basil, mint, and pineapple sage put the cutting in a vessel with 2” of clean water.  Place in a sunny location, keeping the water topped up, until roots appear.  

For oregano, rosemary and thyme, stick the cutting directly into moist potting soil.  You can dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone first, but it’s not absolutely essential.  Keep it well-watered until the roots establish.

Wait until the garden soil temperature has reached 70 degrees F before transplanting your new plants outside.

PRESERVATION

Fresh herbs (except basil) will keep in the fridge, wrapped in a damp paper towel inside plastic.  For longer storage you can either freeze or dry herbs.  To dry, tie in small bundles and hang upside down in a warm, dry spot.  Once completely dry (after about 2 weeks), crumble and store in an airtight container.

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BASIL

LIGHT

Requires a fair amount of sun with partial shade.

SOIL

Potting with moist soil rich in organic matter will render the best growing conditions.

OF NOTE

Basil likes warmer temperatures and doesn’t handle cold well.  There are more than 150 varieties of this well-known herb. 

USES

Add to Italian and Thai cuisines, pesto, or pair with mozzarella and a tomato slice, yum!

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ROSEMARY

Light

Rosemary grows best in full sun.

Soil 

Requires well-drained soil conditions. 

Of Note 

Rosemary likes a warm, humid climate, and is drought tolerant.

Uses 

Often found in Mediterranean cuisine, you can also add rosemary to savory dishes and cocktail recipes.

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MARJORAM

Light

Requires full sun.

Soil

Plant in well-drained soil, and don’t over water.

Uses

This herb is often used in savoury dishes.

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PINEAPPLE SAGE

Light

Requires full sun.

Soil

Plant pineapple sage in moist, well-drained soil for optimal plant growth.

Of Note

A fragrant plant that smells and tastes like pineapple!  The red flowers are known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and can grow up to 4’ tall!

Uses

Pairs well with chicken recipes and can also be used in tea, or as a garnish.

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DILL

Light

Requires full sun. 

Soil

Dill grows best in well-drained soil, but be careful not to let it dry out.

Of Note

This herb can be grown easily from seed.  While considered an annual, it will often self-seed, and appear the next year!

Uses

Add to a soup, stew, or use for pickling.

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OREGANO

Light

Requires full sun.

Soil

Oregano prefers dry soil conditions.

Of Note

This staple herb can be easily grown from seed, and tends to be self-seeding.  The flavour is more impactful when dried.

Uses

Oregano is most often used in Italian and Mediterranean cuisines, and pairs perfectly with roast potatoes.

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THYME

Light

Plant in full sun.

SoiL

Thyme requires well-drained soil.  Only water when soil is completely dry.

Of Note

Likes warm temperatures and is drought tolerant. There are over 50+ varieties of this staple herb.

Uses

Used most often in savoury dishes.

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MINT

Light

Mint grows best in full sun or partial shade. 

Soil

Plant mint in moist, well-drained soil for optimal plant growth.

Caution

Mint spreads via runners and can quickly overtake your garden.  It’s best to confine this herb to a pot.

Uses

Use in tea, salads, or as a garnish. You may also add spearmint to savoury dishes, or peppermint to sweet ones.

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text by: kerstin daly |

illustrations by: brianna powell

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