Culinary Herbs

There is no attempt to provide a “how to grow a crop” guide.  This is simply an attempt to distil the experiences of different plot holders in the hope that you will find the occasional observation on varieties or approach to cultivation that is new and (hopefully) useful. Clicking on the heading for a crop will bring up a background article on it from elsewhere on the Web in a new window; the majority have been garnered from Wikipedia, the free online encyclopaedia that anybody can contribute towards. The quality of these articles varies: as with most topics on Wikipedia, some are very comprehensive, while others are not so thorough. Other links are periodically scattered through the text. Any recommendations on links to better background articles or additional links to items of note will be gratefully received.

On the subject of web sites, the following are worthy of note: Herb Expert is a very good site for all things herbs; the Herb Society contains some useful articles; and Garden Action is also worth a look.

Herbs generally prefer quite poor soil.

While drying is the age-old method of storing herbs for winter use, freezing herbs with soft leaves such as Basil and Mint has become popular. Hanging French Tarragon in a cool place such as the garage is recommended by one plot holder.

Culinary herbs are popular among plot holders, and a wide variety are grown. Some grow them all at home so that they are at hand when required, while others grow some at home and some at the allotment. The range of herbs that are cultivated includes:

• Basil (Sweet) – very popular. Useful article here by Anna Pavord.
• Bay Leaves - popular
• Borage – the flowers can be used in salads. Also grown to attract pollinating insects – readily self-seeds
• Chervil – tends to go to seed quite quickly in the heat. Shaded conditions are preferable.
• Chives – popular – some complaints about them being eaten, probably by slugs
• Coriander
• Dill
• Common Fennel - popular
• Garlic Chives
• Horseradish
• Lemon mint
• Mint - popular
• Oregano – this perennial, surprisingly, seems quite hardy
• Parsley – very popular – one complaint received about aphids on the curly variety
• Marjoram - popular
• Rosemary - popular
• Sage
• Tarragon - popular – French is considered to be superior, but it cannot be grown from seed. It is propagated by cuttings, as the seed reverts to Russian Tarragon which is what is offered in the seed catalogues. Useful growing info here.
• Thyme – very popular.