Whether you have a large garden or not, herbs are easy to grow. In fact, many herbs do exceptionally well in a planter and add a vibrant splash of colour to a kitchen windowsill. They’re also a quick and convenient way to add freshness and vibrancy to any dish. All of this is to say… if you haven’t been growing your own herbs, what excuse do you have? If it’s your lack of a green thumb holding you back, worry not! Follow our guide to herbs below and you’ll have a lush crop to pick from this summer.
1. Basil
Sweet basil is the most common type of basil to grow and it’s versatile enough to be used in many dishes. The Old Farmer’s Almanac says that basil grows best in a sunny location, with moist, slightly acidic, well-draining soil. If it’s very dry where you live, use mulch around the plant. Basil can be grown in raised beds, if you have the space, or in planters. You can plant them from seeds or transplant germinated seedlings or starter plants in the ground. Prune them regularly and cut off any flowers to encourage growth.
RECIPES TO TRY:
- Basil pesto and baby tomato hake burger
- Basil pesto and feta air-fryer cruffins
- Creamy amadumbe and basil pesto mash
- Roasted tomato, basil and chilli pasta
- Beef salad with tomato, rocket and basil
- Mini frikkadel, olive and basil pizza
- Tuna and egg pap pizza
2. Sage
Sage lends a distinctive savouriness to dishes and pairs particularly well with pumpkin, butternut, cheddar cheese and ricotta. It’s also delicious in stuffing for a festive turkey or chicken! GardenersWorld.com shares that sage does well in pots, can be grown from seeds or as young plants, and loves full sun and well-drained soil. You can pick the leaves all year round, before it starts flowering.
RECIPES TO TRY:
- Pork neck steaks with lemon and sage pasta
- Eggs Benedict with bacon and sage
- Pork, apple, mushroom and sage phyllo pastries
- Potato gnocchi bake with bacon and sage
- Pumpkin fritters with bacon, blue cheese and sage butter
- Kale and ricotta tortellini in sage butter
- McCain Slap Chips with sage butter beef rump and garlic sage aioli
3. Rosemary
Rosemary is an incredibly easy herb to grow – in fact, it can easily take over your whole garden! It has a lovely aroma that will add fragrance to your garden as well as your dishes and drinks. Like sage and basil, it loves light and well-draining soil. The Royal Horticultural Society adds that rosemary also copes well in poor soil and it tolerates drought well – good to know in South Africa! Prune it regularly to ensure it stays bushy and well managed and you will find it does well in containers or in small courtyards and on patios. It’s a type of sage so will also do well when planted with other sages.
RECIPES TO TRY:
- Lamb summer sosaties with apricots and rosemary
- Rosemary and salt bread rolls
- Grapefruit and rosemary mimosa mocktail
- Roasted cauliflower with rosemary cream
4. Oregano
A staple in many Mediterranean dishes, it’s no wonder that oregano loves the warmth of a South African summer! It looks lovely on a windowsill and can also be used as ground cover. Plant it in a sunny spot in well-draining soil and cut it back regularly to encourage new growth.
RECIPES TO TRY:
- Marmite cheese scones
- Grilled chicken thighs with a creamy spinach sauce
- Roast garlic, thyme and oregano lamb
P.S. Did you know that you can substitute oregano in any recipe that calls for marjoram?
5. Thyme
Another Mediterranean herb, thyme also loves the sun. The Spruce says thyme is a great herb for newbie gardeners as it’s so easy to grow. Unlike many other plants, thyme prefers sandy soil and can even grow in gravel! If you’re planting it in a pot, make sure the soil is drains well and water it only occasionally. It’s also drought-resistant, so another great one for our hot South African summers.
RECIPES TO TRY:
- Creamy chicken topped with mushroom thyme sauce
- Creamy lemon, strawberry and thyme ice cream
- Ox tongue with thyme mustard sauce
- Thyme roast pork belly
- Nectarine tart with thyme and honey butter drizzle
