5 Herbs for Beginners

5 Easy-to-Grow Perennial Herbs You Will Actually Use!

Growing herbs is uncomplicated; with good soil, full sun, and water, you're set for delicious meals!

Don't let your eyes glaze over by the term perennial...These herbs are perennials, meaning they'll last for several years in your garden, unlike seasonal herbs like basil that only thrive for one spring and summer. Whether you have a spacious garden or just a few pots, these five herbs are simple to maintain, and you'll actually use them. Let's talk about Bay, Rosemary, Thyme, Mint & Oregano.

1. Bay Bush (Laurus nobilis)

Why It’s Great:

Bay is an evergreen shrub that forms a lovely, dense bush. It's durable, slow-growing, and can be shaped into a small tree or hedge.

How to Use It:

Bay leaves create a deep, aromatic flavour to soups, broth, stews, and sauces. Add a few whole leaf to slow-cooked dishes like curries, casseroles, and broths, then remove before serving.

Cool Factor:

Unlike many herbs that lose their potency when dried, bay leaves keep their flavour over time. A homegrown bay leaf is superior to store-bought ones!

2. Rosemary ‘Prostrata’ (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’)

Why It’s Great:

No, you don't need a great big rosemary bush. This rosemary variety grows low and spreads, making it ideal for cascading over walls, pots, or garden edges. It’s drought-resistant and requires minimal care.

How to Use It:

Whenever I pass by rosemary, its strong aromas immediately remind me of a lamb roast. It's perfect for roasted meats, particularly under chicken skin to prevent burning. Also, midway through cooking roasted potatoes, add some rosemary. The woody stems can also be used as skewers for grilling, and they make a beautiful addition to cakes and decorations. Rosemary is fantastically fancy in cocktails and can be a modern groundcover in your landscaping.

Cool Factor:

In the garden, Rosemary draws in pollinators such as bees and can handle a significant trim.

3. Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Why It’s Great:

Thyme is available in numerous varieties, each with unique foliage colors, flower hues, and growth habits, ranging from small shrubs to groundcovers.

How to Use It:

Using a bush type, toss on roasted vegetables, grilled meats, and pasta dishes. It’s also a staple in homemade stocks and stuffing.

Cool Factor:

Thyme maintains its flavour effectively when dried, allowing for convenient storage and use all year round. With a smaller root system than rosemary, thyme can thrive in a pot. Additionally, bees are attracted to it.

4. Mint (Mentha spp.) – Always in a Pot!

Why It’s Great:

Mint is great because it can be grown in a pot, which can then be placed in the ground to prevent it from spreading.

How to Use It:

Incorporate fresh mint into salads, cocktails like mojitos, teas, and desserts. It complements lamb and Middle Eastern cuisine beautifully. However, if you mix it with baby peas, we might not be able to remain friends.

Cool Factor:

Mint grows rapidly and can be pruned without harm. You can even cut the plant in half, remove a portion from the pot, and start new plants. It's that resilient. Look how easy it is to prune in the video!

5. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Why It’s Great:

Oregano is a resilient herb that loves the sun and flourishes in warm, sunny environments. If you have a fully sun area needing landscaping, consider planting this herb in large quantities. Its cost effective and can be found in the herb section at the garden centre.

How to Use It:

It's earthy and perfect for pizza, pasta sauces, and marinades. Oregano, whether fresh or dried, offers a unique flavour that will make you wish you'd planted it earlier. I also think its robust flavour is so strong that you don't need to add any other herbs with it. You can if you want, but it's excellent on its own.

Cool Factor:

Oregano naturally spreads as a groundcover, making it look fantastic in pots while continuously thriving. It can root from a stem into the ground, allowing it to self-propagate and provide more plants with a beautiful flower that attracts bees.

These five herbs are not only simple to cultivate but also bring amazing flavour to your kitchen. Whether you're an experienced gardener or a beginner, planting these herbs will infuse your cooking with fresh, homegrown goodness.

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Although this gardening blog shares my experiences and factual horticultural information, remember that your gardening journey is unique to you. Adapt, experiment, and learn from your own experiences; that's all part of the process.