Growing herbs can be done for a number of purposes; for cooking in culinary herbs, medicinal herbs, herbal tea recipes or for putting into making soaps or homemade cosmetics . One can also grow herbs indoors as well as in containers and window boxes.
Don't forget your companion planting herbs when growing vegetables and soft fruits. Planting and harvesting herbs should be done by taking the lunar phases into consideration for the best results. For more information on this see our pages on planting by the moon.
Here are some of herbs and their uses, but remember to plant your herbs in full sun. They should receive at least 5-6 hours of sun a day, and all those herbs mentioned below love well-drained soil. If they have wet feet for a prolonged time, they will die.
Borage:
Borage is a herb that grows like a weed if it is not contained. It is extremely prolific, readily self-seeds, is not fussy about the soil, and its pretty star-shaped blue flowers make a pretty show, almost all year round and the bees love them.
When the leaves are young, they are great to put into salads. Borage tea is also easily made by drying out the leaves and steeping them for a few minutes with some boiling water. Borage tea is a good source of calcium and phosphorous, and a good tea for nursing mothers. It has a number of other minerals that is a good drink to kick start a sluggish system.
When you planting out your strawberries, always companion plant borage close by as this herb not only nourishes the berries, but also encourages their fruiting.
Basil:
Basil is a very versatile culinary herb, and has long been used in Italian food. The leaves are good to use in salads, cooking or as a tea. If you want to dry the leaves for tea it is best to harvest these just as the plant begins to flower.
Basil is a great companion plant for tomatoes . You can also grow basil close to lettuce, chives, cabbage, beets and asparagus.
Dill:
Dill is a large plant that is not suitable for small gardens, but if you have the space it is a very versatile herb being used as a food, spice and medicinally. Fish and dill go particularly well together, and you can also use it in salads or dried in cooking.
Dill seeds should be collected when they are brown and can be used as a spice to flavor curries, soups and homemade pickles.
In the vegetable garden dill is a good companion plant to broccoli, and cauliflower . However, keep dill away from carrots and tomatoes as it will do them no favors.
Marjoram:
Marjoram is a well-known herb that when grown in the vegetable garden has a stimulating effect on the vegetables they are grown close to. The leaves and tops can be picked and used at any time. If you want to harvest the leaves for tea, make sure that they are picked before the plant flowers.
As a medicinal herb, Marjoram tea is a good general tonic and is especially beneficial when combined with chamomile.
Stinging Nettles:
Many of us have experienced a painful encounter with stinging nettles , however, the young leaves in Italy are used in culinary dishes, and of course many of use are more familiar with nettle tea.
The nettle plant is the only known plant that is a source of Vitamin D .
Young leaves can be cooked like spinach, and many eat stinging nettles to clean the blood.
When you plant nettles in the garden they can be used as a great companion plant for tomatoes , and seems to condition the soil of areas where they grow.
If you want to restore your hair color, and put an end to dandruff by boiling up some nettle leaves with vinegar.
Parsley:
Many people use either the curly variety of parsley or the Italian flat leaf parsley . Rich in minerals, especially iron and calcium, it is also a good source for Vitamin A and Vitamin C that is very good for your internal organs.
If you are going to grow parsley in your garden as a companion plant, plant parsley between corn or tomato plants for best results
Rosemary:
Rosemary is one of the best medicinal herbs around, and used not only to improve ones memory, but also for a number of other ailments such as muscular pain, rheumatism, circulation problems, mental fatigue, nervous exhaustion, cellulite , arthritis, colds, bronchitis, fluid retention and sinusitis.
Rosemary used as a companion planting herb is especially good for carrots when planted nearby.
Sage:
Sage has been used down the centuries as both a culinary herb and a medicinal herb. Sage tea with lemon and honey is an ideal drink for those with colds and coughs , and sage tea on its own is good for the gums and teeth . It is also beneficial for the nerves and can be taken during menopause. Taken as a herbal tea several times a day, sage will also minimizing excessive sweating.
As a culinary herb sage is lovely either dried or fresh used with sausage meat for stuffings, and makes a good companion herb for pork in general.
As a companion planting herb sage is beneficial when planted near broccoli and cauliflower , and enhances the growth of other aromatic herbs such as thyme and rosemary. and keeps harmful insects at bay.
Thyme:
Thyme is a fine-leaved, strong scented herb which can be used as an antiseptic and anti-fungal and helpful for those suffering from indigestion. Thyme is also used in traditional medicine to stimulate the resistance to infection.
Again, thyme is beneficial to plants that are grown close by. Thyme also repels insects and as a companion plant should be planted close to Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or cabbage .
Growing Herbs as Insect Repellents:
Basil Keeps diseases and pests from tomatoes, flies and mosquitoes from outdoor eating areas. A potted plant or dried leaves in a room drives out pests.
Catmint Disliked by rats and rodents. Plant near chicken coops and places where grain is kept. Can be used as a screen for crops or near beans. Loved by cats.
Chamomile Beneficial to other plants. If you have a sick plant place next to plant in the soil and you will have a 90% chance of the plant recovering. Repels insects and makes a good herb lawn.
Chives and Garlic Beneficial throughout the garden, especially with roses and apple orchards. Keep away from peas and beans.
Elder Tree Bruised leaves will repel most insects. A decoction of young leaves and used as a spray will kill aphids and small caterpillars.
Fennel Repeals fleas so grow near kennels and stables. Powdered fennel leaves or seeds sprinkled about will also get rid of flies.
Horehound Kills flies when mixed with milk and used as a homemade fly spray.
Lad's Love Repels most insects. Protects cabbages from the white cabbage moth, and fruit trees from pests.
French Marigolds Plant among vegetables and flowers to repel beetles and discourage eelworms.
Mints Spearmints and Peppermint repel rodents and flies.
Onion All species of the onion plant are repellent to aphids.
Plant in rose gardens as a border or ground cover.
Oregano Plant near cucumbers to keep beetles away.
Pennyroyal Repels most insects, including fleas.
Rue The leaves will repel flies, ants and fleas.
Tansy Will discourage beetles, ants, aphids and flies. Plant throughout the garden and near the house. Dried leaves act as a natural insecticide in the house. If mixed with dried Elder leaves the efficacy is increased.