Herb Seeds
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Three tips when buying herb and spice seeds
Most herbs are sun worshippers which like light and warmth. Basil, thyme and rosemary are some examples of herbs that thrive when they grow in the south. But don’t give up hope if your growing area is half in the shade, because there are also loads of herbs that can thrive there. Examples are chives, mint and dill.
Here at Gardeners World you can get useful tips for getting started with your own herbal garden.
Some herbs don’t like to stand too close together, so keep this in mind when planning your gardening area. The following need to be separated from each other:
- Thyme and oregano
- Fennel and coriander
- Mint and chamomile.
These thrive together:
- Rosemary and thyme
- Parsley, chives and dill
- Sage and oregano.
Also remember that mint grows quickly and can easily take over, so give it its own pallet collar to spread out in. Otherwise it’ll need a root catch, for example a bucket without a bottom.
Some herbs only live for one season, while others return year after year. If you’re going to let perennial herbs lie dormant over winter you need to make sure that the conditions aren’t too rainy or cold, so consider the best herbs for your growing boxes. Here are a few examples:
Annual herbs: Basil, coriander and chamomile. Biennial herbs: Parsley, fennel and caraway. Perennial herbs: Sage, rosemary and thyme.
Herbs are divided into woody and herbaceous varieties. Woody herbs include thyme, rosemary and sage. They need to be bedded down to keep them warm and dry over winter. Herbaceous plants include parsley, oregano, chives and mint. Such herbs are more difficult to store over winter in colder zones, but both chives and mint usually come back even in the coldest areas.
To help your herbal garden survive the winter, allow the herbs to wilt and cover them with leaves or fir tree branches in autumn. Wait until the soil has warmed up the following spring before removing the covering, when the herbs need to be cut back so that new shoots can grow.