FRESH FROM THE GARDEN
Hyssop
Rosemary
Sage
Salad burnet
Thyme
Winter savory
FRESH FROM THE KITCHEN
WINDOWSILL
Chervil
Chives
Parsley
Winter savory
IN THE GREENHOUSE
French tarragon
Lemon verbena
Liquorice
Mint
Scented pelargonium
PLEASE NOTE
Any mention of herbal remedies is intended for reference only. Plant substances, whether used as foods, remedies or cosmetics, used externally or taken internally, can cause allergic reactions in some people. Neither the author nor the publishers can be held responsible for claims arising from the mistaken identity of any herbs or their inappropriate use. Do not try self-diagnosis or self-treatment for serious or chronic medical conditions without consulting a medical practitioner or a qualified medical herbal practitioner. Do not take herbal remedies if you are undergoing any other medical treatment. Always seek professional medical advice if symptoms persist.
JANUARY
If you are a first-time herb gardener, you are embarking upon one of gardening’S greatest pleasures. What better time than midwinter to start thinking about the aroma and fragrance of herbs in the spring or summer garden, as well as the household pleasures they provide throughout the year?
A herb garden offers a special combination of plants, which can be enjoyed in different ways. They can be admired simply for their decorative effect and overall shape, as they grow into the plan you have created. In addition, you can appreciate the scents, aromas and colours of their flowers and foliage.
Herbs can be raised from seed, grown from cuttings or bought in containers from garden centres or nurseries. During winter, in an established herb garden, fresh herb leaves are still available from many evergreen plants such as rosemary, thyme and sage. You can also grow a selection of herbs indoors on a sunny kitchen windowsill. Winter savory, chives, parsley, chervil, sage and thyme will all provide flavour for soups, stews, sauces and vegetable dishes through the winter season.
If you are new to herb gardening, use the calm and relative inactivity of this ‘in-between’ season to choose the site for your herb garden and the plants that you will use and enjoy. Then settle down to create a planting plan for the herb garden. Herbs are versatile plants that look equally attractive whether they are grown informal, shaped beds such as squares, rectangles and circles, or informal borders. If space is at a premium, plan a herb garden using containers on a balcony or patio, or even a windowbox.
Whether you are growing a herb garden for the first time, extending an existing one or adding a new herb feature to your garden, now is the time to choose or reassess the site and to make the right plant choices.
HERB THEMES FOR THE GARDEN
LEMON-SCENTED LEAVES
Balm • Lemon mint • Lemon thyme • Verbena
ORNAMENTAL DYE PLANTS
Coreopsis • Dyer’s chamomile • Safflower
EDIBLE FLOWERS
Bergamot • Borage • Garlic chives • Hyssop • Lavender • Mallow • Pot marigold • Rose • Sage • Viola
ENGLISH CULINARY
Chives • Mint • Parsley (curled) • Rosemary • Sorrel
FRENCH CULINARY
Bay • Chervil • Fennel • Garlic • Parsley • Tarragon • Thyme
ITALIAN CULINARY
Basil • Bay • Oregano • Parsley (flat-leaved) • Sage
POT-POURRI HERBS: FLOWERS
Lavender • Rose • Sage • Sweet rocket • Thyme
POT-POURRI HERBS: LEAVES
Basil • Bergamot • Mint • Scented pelargonium • Rosemary • Sage • Thyme • Wild strawberry
CHECKLIST
If you begin a herb garden in midwinter, most of your activity will be comfortably achieved indoors – drawing plans;
