Herbs

 All About Herbs

At Garden @ Kimbourne, we have lots of fabulous herbs. This post will highlight those, plus give info on a few others! Click on the references for photos and more information.

Mint

We’ve got a lot of mint in the garden! This perennial herb has many varieties, is defined by its square stem, and tends to spread and take over an area. It is best grown from cuttings, roots, or transplants. Mint likes full sun and loamy soil, but it will tolerate some shade. A light mulch is helpful. It’s good to harvest mint regularly by cutting the stems close to the ground, or just picking the leaves as you need them. 

References: 

https://www.almanac.com/plant/mint

Basil

There are many different varieties of this annual herb, including sweet basil, purple basil, lemon basil, and Thai basil. Basil is best planted by seed after the danger of frost has passed (1/4 inch deep, 10-12 inches apart). You can start the seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last spring frost. Basil is best in an area that gets 6-8 hours of sun, and should be in moist, well-drained soil. To harvest, pick above the second set of leaves after they’ve produced the first six. Harvest regularly to encourage growth. Pinch off the centre shoot, or cut off flowers as they emerge. You can freeze the leaves, or dry them.  

References: 

https://www.almanac.com/plant/basil

Tulsi

Tulsi is also known as holy basil. It is made into tea, and is caffeine-free. Tulsi can be started indoors from seed 6-12 weeks before last frost, and planted in a warm and sunny place. You can also start them from cuttings. Harvest it by single leaves or branches. 

References:

https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-tulsi-766436

https://practicalselfreliance.com/how-to-grow-tulsi/#:~:text=Tulsi%20seeds%20should%20be%20started,mat%20to%20warm%20soil%20temperatures.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm can be started indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Keep watering to a minimum, but don’t let them dry out. Lemon balm prefers partial shade, and a cooler part of a garden. Pick leaves throughout the summer. 

References:

https://www.westcoastseeds.com/blogs/how-to-grow/grow-lemon-balm#:~:text=Lemon%20balm%20prefers%20a%20fertile,those%20exposed%20to%20full%20sun.&text=Pick%20leaves%20throughout%20the%20summer%20for%20fresh%20use.

Oregano 

Oregano is a perennial herb. It should be planted in full sun, and can be started from seeds 6-10 weeks before the last spring frost, or grown from cuttings. They should be planted 8-10 inches apart. Once it grows to about 4 inches it can be pinched off to encourage denser growth. Oregano doesn’t need as much water as other herbs. Harvest the leaves as you need them. They can be frozen or dried. 

Reference:

https://www.almanac.com/plant/oregano

Thyme 

Thyme is a low-growing perennial that comes in over 50 different varieties. It thrives in heat, full sun, and well-drained soil. You can plant cuttings indoors 6-10 weeks before last frost date, and in the ground 2-3 weeks before last frost date (12-24 inches apart depending on variety). Water deeply only when the soil is totally dry, and prune them back in spring and summer. Harvest just before it flowers by cutting off the top 5-6 inches of growth. It can be dried or frozen. If a recipe calls for a sprig of thyme, the leaves and stem should be used together.  

Reference:

https://www.almanac.com/plant/thyme

Dill

Dill is an annual plant with feather-like leaves. Dill can be put directly into the ground (1/4 inch deep, 18 inches apart) after the threat of frost has passed in the spring, and can be left to flower and go to seed each year. It does well in full sun and well-drained soil that is sheltered from wind. As soon as dill has 4-5 leaves you can begin harvesting (pinch off leaves or cut with scissors), harvesting the older leaves first, or entire stalks if you have lots.   

References:

https://www.almanac.com/plant/dill 

Rosemary

Rosemary is a perennial evergreen. It is recommended to start new plants from cuttings indoors, 8-10 weeks before last frost date. Plant in full sun and well drained soil. Remember it can grow 4 feet tall and wide. Water evenly and prune regularly. Snip off stems to use fresh, or hang them to dry. Harvest young stems and leaves for fresh taste - you can take up to 1/3 of the plant at a time. 

Reference: 

https://www.almanac.com/plant/rosemary 

Parsley 

Parsley is a biennial plant used in sauces, salads, and soups. They can be started indoors 10-12 weeks before the last spring frost, or direct planted 3-4 weeks before the last spring frost (6-8 inches apart). Be sure to water them often while they germinate, and then evenly throughout the summer. When the leaf stems have 3 segments it is ready to harvest. Cut the leaves from the outer portions. You can store the stalks in water after picked, or dry them. 

Reference:

https://www.almanac.com/plant/parsley

Sage

Sage is a perennial. It should be planted in full sun, 2 feet apart. You can sow seeds up to 2 weeks before last frost date, or use cuttings 1-2 weeks before last spring frost. Water them regularly when they are young, and prune heavier stems each spring. To harvest, pinch off leaves, and harvest lightly in the first year to ensure growth. Sage is best fresh, but can be frozen or dried.

Reference: 

https://www.almanac.com/plant/sage

Chives

Chives are cold-tolerant perennials from the onion family. Chives can be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost, and can be sown outside as soon as soil is workable in the spring (1/4 inch deep, 2 inches apart). They do best infill sun and rich, well-drained soil. They are drought tolerant, and do well with a bit of mulch around them. It’s good to divide chives every 3-4 years in the spring. You can harvest them by cutting them down to the base 3-4 times in the first year, and monthly in following years. The flowers are edible, and should be removed once they form or they will spread. Chives can be eaten fresh or frozen. 

References:

https://www.almanac.com/plant/chives

Cilantro 

Cilantro is an annual herb that has edible leaves (cilantro) and seeds (coriander). Cilantro can be planted in the spring after the last frost date, or in the fall. It is good to be in a sunny area 1-2 inches apart. They require regular watering to get started, and afterwards don’t need as much water per week. Mulch is good to deter weeds. Harvest a stalk when it is low and after the seeds drop, or cut off large leaves. To store the seeds, cut them when they’re brown, and dry them in a paper back. You can freeze or dry the leaves. 

References:

https://www.almanac.com/plant/coriander-and-cilantro