Hi all :)

Having finally gotten stuck into the herb patch on the weekend, I’m now starting to think about what herbs to plant in it.

I’m wanting to start with nice hardy herbs, while I get into a regular watering routine and work out how I’m gonna fit it into my day.

Can anyone help me out with recommendations?

I already have one hardy old rosemary which survived the transition from herb patch to sand patch and back to herb patch, which started when we bought the house ;)

I will definitely grow coriander, and Other Half has asked for thyme.

I have two pots nearby in which to put invasive things like mint, too (not that the mint survived the sand patch phase!!)

What are nice, easy, hardy herbs to start out with?? Preferably things that don’t bolt to seed too quickly?

Fresh parsley…… a must for any garden:)

Lucky1 said:

Fresh parsley…… a must for any garden:)

Chives.. Basil..
I’m growing the flat leafed italian parsley for the first time and use it heap’s, ton’s of flavour in it :)

Happy Potter said:

Lucky1 said:

Fresh parsley…… a must for any garden:)

Chives.. Basil..
I’m growing the flat leafed italian parsley for the first time and use it heap’s, ton’s of flavour in it :)

Oh yeah chives….. be getting to cold for basil now…… chives will be a tad on the slow side……

Forgot to say, OH also requested parsley :)

Oooh, basil definitely sounds good! And chives as well.. there’s such a thing as garlic chives, right? That sounds yummy…

Is there anything else invasive like mint, which will need to be kept separate in a pot?

bon008 said:

Forgot to say, OH also requested parsley :)

Oooh, basil definitely sounds good! And chives as well.. there’s such a thing as garlic chives, right? That sounds yummy…

Is there anything else invasive like mint, which will need to be kept separate in a pot?

oregano, marjoram are like thyme – perrentials and always useful.
garlic chives is tough.
you could try fenugreek, tarragon, dill, lemon balm, lemon grass….
sage and basil are mainly summer crops i think.
there are a lot of different mints and thymes you could grow in a pot – penny royal and lemon thyme etc.

pepper said:

oregano, marjoram are like thyme – perrentials and always useful.
garlic chives is tough.
you could try fenugreek, tarragon, dill, lemon balm, lemon grass….
sage and basil are mainly summer crops i think.
there are a lot of different mints and thymes you could grow in a pot – penny royal and lemon thyme etc.

Thanks pepper!

I love anything lemon-flavoured so I will keep an eye out for lemon balm and lemon thyme. I already have some lemon grass out the front, although it struggles there so maybe I will nick a bit to put in the herb patch where the water supply will be more constant.

My dad has dill everywhere so I can easily get some seeds for that, hurrah. I hate tarragon, really hate it. But oregano sounds good..

herbs are terrific flavouring, smell superb in the kitchen and have medicinal benefits.
if you are in the nursery looking at herbs you might spare a thought for celery. although its a vege., the homegrown celery is stronger and more herb like than the bought stuff. i reckon a line of celery grown close together (say 20cm apart) would look alright in a herb bed.

grow the Lemongrass in a pot, that way you can move it around the warmer spots of the garden…. and it seems to like it.

Bon, give me a call, I have lemon thyme in the garden, and mint. Both easy to gather bits of. Anyway, about time you guys came round to visit! :)

hortfurball said:

Bon, give me a call, I have lemon thyme in the garden, and mint. Both easy to gather bits of. Anyway, about time you guys came round to visit! :)

I know, I’ve been meaning to return your pruning book…. cringe

Your pup must be a grown up by now :)

Hi Horty!

Those seeds must have been swallowed up by the post.. Will have to drop in next time to pick some more up, if that’s ok..

I’d be inclined to put the lemon balm in a pot, it’s not quite as “opportunist” as mint, but can get away if it has the chance. If your climate gets cold enough for it to die back, like mint does, it will re-shoot from what seems to be a dead mass.

How about a lemon verbena in the middle of the herb patch? Yummo!

CollieWA said:

Hi Horty!

Those seeds must have been swallowed up by the post.. Will have to drop in next time to pick some more up, if that’s ok..

Ummm, errr, no. _blush_Your address got swallowed up by emails and a busy lifestyle…will scan through and find it and send said seeds.
But you are welcome to drop in any time you’re up in Perth anyway.

Yeehah said:

I’d be inclined to put the lemon balm in a pot, it’s not quite as “opportunist” as mint, but can get away if it has the chance. If your climate gets cold enough for it to die back, like mint does, it will re-shoot from what seems to be a dead mass.

How about a lemon verbena in the middle of the herb patch? Yummo!

Thanks Yeehah, I have a nice pot on the right of the herb patch which I will now think of as the lemon balm pot :)

I’m not sure if it does get that cold.. when my mint died off before I think it was just due to lack of water.

I’ve never even heard of lemon verbena! I’ll look it up :)

’ve never even heard of lemon verbena! I’ll look it up
—-
i’ve got one and it would look good as a centre piece.
its a small tree (2m?) – the leaves are sweet lemonny smell – can be used in teas and puches.
great suggestion.

pepper said:

’ve never even heard of lemon verbena! I’ll look it up
—-
i’ve got one and it would look good as a centre piece.
its a small tree (2m?) – the leaves are sweet lemonny smell – can be used in teas and puches.
great suggestion.

Gosh, that does sound like a great centre piece. Hope my spot gets enough sun. Otherwise I can make some space further out the back I’m sure :) I’ll definitely look this one up.

the other herbs i have grown at some stage
Borage – quite a big (1.5m) bush spreads by seed like dill. it will dominate all the others in sheer size. pretty useless IMHO
Comfrey – popular with the other forumites – struggling here but good for chooks and compost.
Dandelion, marigolds and nasturiums – you will know these as flowers or weeds. nasturiums leaves and flowers are used in salads.
Echinacea – beautiful yellow, black and red daisy flower whose roots are ground up and used as a cure all.
Chamomile – another ancient cure all which is a ground cover with matted surface roots. makes a lovely tea using its profuse tiny flowers.