Some herbs can be difficult to grow in the open garden but it is worth persisting. Here are some simple tips to help get bigger and better crops together with some perennial herb plants to start you off.

Simple Herb Growing Tips

• Create a wind break to give plants protection.
• Mediterranean herbs like Thyme, Oregano & Basil need sunshine and a warm spot.
• Parsley and leafy crops needs plenty of water.

Grow Better Herb Crops

• Seedlings bought from a nursery should be hardened off for planting outdoors in a container of open ground.
• You grow herbs for the flavour so chose strong varieties.
• Do not let herbs run to seed, crop the growing tips regularly
• Give herbs adequate space to grow well.
• Pick the tender shoots not the large lower leaves that are helping the plant to feed.
• Avoid insect and fungal sprays, you don’t want that rubbish in your mouth!

Perennial Herbs Growing Outdoors

• Sage cuttings root easily but if soil is mounded over the plant in February the shoots will root and they can be cut off and replanted.
• Horseradish can be invasive. Plant near a wall and pick all but a couple of roots each winter.
• Rosemary benefits from being renewed every few years. take cuttings from semi-ripe wood and you will get a constant flow of new plants.
• Thyme can be grown decoratively amongst your flowering plants.
• Bay is easy to grow and can produce a shrub large enough to be a wind break for more tender herbs

Herb seeds at Thompson & Morgan

Preserving Herbs

• Pick leaves of mint, parsley or sage and freeze in ice cubes.
• Other herbs can be dried in an airing cupboard or microwave then stored.
• Pour warm wine or cider vinegar or olive oil over lightly crushed herbs. After several weeks remove the herb residue and use the infused liquids.
• Read Grow Bouquet Garni on Gardeners Tips

Horseradish root is a vegetable but it has such a strong flavour you should treat it like ma herb.

Credits
Herbs by KatieTT CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Dill, Parsley, Rosemary Lemongrass, Thyme and Oregano – see flickr for identification
Basil by cinnachick CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Herb Garden by OakleyOriginals CC BY 2.0
Horseradish-04012009-7967 by graibeard CC BY 2.0

The Ultimate Book of Herbs: The Definitive A – Z of Herbs and How to Grow and Use Them by Lisa Thomas

Jekka’s Complete Herb Book: In Association with the Royal Horticultural Society by Jekka McVicar