HERBS TO GROW AT HOME
If you don’t have a big garden, it’s still very easy to grow herbs. In fact, no matter how small your deck, patio, porch or window sill is, there is no excuse not to grow herbs, because they bring with them an extra dimension of beauty with their colours, fragrances and textures as well as providing divine flavours and nutritional value.
“At Granny Mouse Country House and Spa, we love our beautiful gardens that grow exquisitely throughout the year”, says General Manager Sean Granger. “We also love to grow our own herbs, which not only smell gorgeous, but are used in our culinary art of which we are super proud!”
He said planting even the basic favourites would provide both pleasure and convenience for homeowners, particularly for those who love to cook.
He suggested the following herbs which, he added, were perfect for even the tiniest patch of garden or pot:
“One of our favourites is basil, an annual herb which grows super well in a sunny spot. Easy enough to plant from seed, and make sure you water well during our humid hot summers, but in the day, not at night. Basil is perfect in salads, pasta dishes and of course, to make pesto.”, with
Parsley, another firm favourite for many of us, can grow inside and outside, thriving in pots, and awesome in that you can harvest regularly. Parsley also grows well with basil and remember when potting, a little shade in summer and a sunny spot in winter. It’s a fantastic herb to downplay the pungency of garlic dishes.
Then there’s mint, oh and what a delightful smell, and interesting to know there are so many varieties thereof. They spread easily and best grown in large pots and not in gardens. Mint really grows well under a dripping tap. The water keeps the compost and soil moist and makes it grow like crazy. Try keeping the plant in part shade if you can. Keep cutting, and it just keeps on growing. Great with lamb, couscous and bulgur wheat salads, and even in a refreshing summer drink.
Another herb that loves a window sill is chives: just make sure you don’t forget to water. Chives will live for a good few seasons and are perfect chopped up and added to salads, stews and any meat dishes.
A bay leaf is an evergreen tree that can become enormous if left unpruned. Plant your bay leaf tree in a large colourful pot near a sunny window. It really is a pretty tree and you can use fresh or dried in your soups, stews, casseroles or even curries, adding a lovely flavour to your dishes.