Get your ‘chive on' with this handy little herb. Not only is it easy to grow and care for, chives provides a refreshing flavour to your morning scrambled eggs (yum!) or a light onion taste to your salads – without the onion breath.
Another benefit of this ‘rad' plant is that it contains potassium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and K. So it tastes great and it can help get your body into the groove – what a bonus!
Oregano
No kitchen garden is complete without oregano. Just the mention of oregano brings to life thoughts of delicious pastas and of course, pizza!
Oregano can handle a bit of neglect now and then, making it perfect for terracotta pots or hanging baskets. Just give it plenty of sun, a good regular feed with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb to promote healthy and aromatic leaves.
Parsley
All gardens need a hero plant and out of all the herbs, parsley stands tall above the rest (literally and figuratively!). This herb is used around the world in salads, pastas and soups – actually, any dish that really takes your fancy!
It's super easy to grow. Position in full sun to part shade, with a well drained soil filled with rich organic matter. Sow seeds, lightly cover with soil and water in well. As the seedlings grow, keep them healthy with a weekly feed of Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food. This will build their strength and help them be the super hero that they truly are!
Coriander
This is the herb that divides the nation. For those who are not overly fond of the taste of coriander (we understand, it's all in the genes), we have included a few ‘alternatives' for you to grow in your garden that can be found at the end of this section.
For those who absolutely love coriander, read on for some delightful information on this great herb!
Both the leaves and the seeds can be used in cooking, making this herb so incredibly versatile.
Coriander alternatives: if adding coriander to your meals or garden just gives you nightmares, we are here to help. Although there is nothing that mimics the taste of coriander, there are some alternatives that you can try. Parsley is often seen as an alternative to add to dishes as are cumin and dill for their unique tastes.
For a same textured feel, try celery, using the leaves in dishes. Celery leaves have the same texture as coriander, but without the taste that comes with it.
Sage
What's not to love about this herb? Flowers – tick! Flavour – tick! Easy care – tick! Bee friendly – tick, tick!
Sage is a great herb to have in the garden. The purple flowers and its easy-to-care-for nature makes it perfect for the kids to grow and look after. Kids will also love the look and taste of the pineapple sage.
For the adults, you can't go past using sage in the kitchen, think burnt butter and sage gnocchi—we are just drooling at the thought of this lovely dish!
Grow in full sun and water regularly.
Mint
With so many mints out there, which one is the best for your garden? Before you choose your perfect mint, think about how you will be using it.
Standard mint is great for adding a tangy taste to a chocolate tart, salad or even a cheeky mojito.
For something a bit different, look at chocolate mint. It has a very slight cocoa taste to it and it's not as potent as other mint varieties. For soothing teas, look at growing peppermint in your garden. Just break off the leaves and let it brew for a while. Great to soothe you on those late sleepless nights.
If you enjoy Asian cuisine, you can't go past Vietnamese mint. The leaves add another dimension to your dishes, with their taste and their distinctive appearance.
Regardless of the variety, mints are best grown in pots as they can get a bit wild if left unattended in the garden. They love full sun to part shade and a good well drained soil. Although, Vietnamese mint prefers a slightly wetter soil than their minty cousins and they can't handle being dry, so ensure that you water well.
If you can't decide which mint is your perfect match, just grab a pot and grow them all!
Thyme
For those who are ‘thyme' poor, this herb is a great one to grow, even just for the punny jokes! There are many varieties to choose from, including the standard garden thyme, lemon thyme or popular pizza thyme.
All varieties of thyme love full sun and can be planted pretty much anywhere you want, from a pot, hanging basket or even between pavers. Use creeping thyme as a sprawling ground cover or alternative to lawn and enjoy the scented goodness as you wander barefoot around the yard.
Basil
Another must have in the herb garden. Basil is used so widely in pastas, pizza, Asian cuisine and many more delicious meals!
For the true basil, you can't go past Yates Sweet Basil. They're great for placing on top of your pastas or bruschetta with diced tomatoes and garlic. For those purple lovers, go for Yates Purple Basil. Great to add a bit of a colour to any meal and garden as well.
Basil is easy to grow from seeds or from cuttings and is a great mate to tomatoes. So what are you waiting for? Get planting today!
Rosemary
If you struggle to keep herbs alive, you need to have this one in your corner. Rosemary is tough, hardy and can deal with neglect, all while still adding great flavour to your meals.
You don't have to grow rosemary just for cooking, it is great to grow as a hedge just for the lovely scent that the leaves produce when crushed.
If you needed another reason to get the rosemary going at your place, when in flower, the bees absolutely love it.
Lemon Balm
If you have never heard of lemon balm before, it is time to check this herb out. It is so simple to grow from seed and provides a wonderful light citrus flavour to any chicken, fish or pork meal.
Not only great in dishes, it is fantastic for herbal teas, tasty summer drinks and jellies. If we have piqued your interest, give this herb a go!
Courtesy of Yates
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