12 herbs everyone should grow at home
These herbs will bring out rich flavours in your cooking and will fill your kitchen will delicious smells. Herbs grow well indoors and with a little time, water and sunlight, you can enjoy herbs all year round.
1. Sweet basil
This is an aromatic herb which has many culinary uses, particularly popular in Mediterranean dishes.
2. Chives
This useful and decorative perennial herb will grow with little trouble in any garden or in a window-box or pot. The attractive pink flowers and rush like leaves make it an ideal edging plant.
3. Coriander
Grown for the spicy leaves and seeds it produces, which are widely used in curries. Also, the roots can be harvested for cooking. The orange colouring, slightly fragrant and spicy flavour of the seeds can add an interesting twist to deserts.
4. Dill
Both the feathery leaves and seeds can be used in the kitchen to impart an aromatic sweetness to a wide variety of dishes. Use the leaves to flavour fish dishes, especially salmon, as well as vegetables, potatoes, sauces and mustards. Add just before cooking is complete. Use the seeds in pickling and to flavour coleslaw, white meats and stews.
5. Lemon balm
The leaves of lemon balm produce a beautiful aroma, so real it can replace lemons in most dishes. It is also used to flavour fish, pork and poultry. Add to cold drinks to impart a lemony flavour.
6. Oregano
These pungent herbs produce fresh green leaves and in late summer clusters of small rose-purple flowers. Its strong flavour is perfect for richer dishes and for flavouring oils. Oregano is a traditional flavouring of Mediterranean food especially popular in Greek dishes. It tastes great when it is added to lamb, cheese and grilled fish.
7. Parsley curled
A compact curled variety which is particularly suited to windowsill and outdoor potted culture. Parsley likes rich well-drained soil that is slightly acidic.
8. Parsley Italian
Also called French parsley, this is widely regarded as being the very best for flavour and the one to use in salads. Parsley is rich in iron and vitamin C. Use parsley Italian for salads and as a garnish. This herb complements garlic and Mediterranean dishes as well as the sauces of northern Europe.
9. Peppermint
Peppermint produces strong, dark green leaves with good flavour. It’s a hardy perennial.
10. Sage
The leaves of these very fragrant herbs are traditionally used in stuffings especially for chicken and pork.
11. Thyme
Versatile and easy to grow herbs, their strong flavour is best when combined with all sorts of robust meat and vegetable dishes. It can also be grown in the flower garden or in pots on the patio. Thyme enhances soups, vegetables and poultry, also red meat and dishes cooked with wine. It is a main ingredient in Bouquet Garni.
12. Mustard salad
Versatile and easy to grow. You can sow mustard salad all-year-round indoors. Use on its own or with cress as a garnish or use to add flavour and spice to salad.
To find your garden essentials, including the seeds mentioned above, head to the Over60 Shop for high-quality offerings.