Spring is around the corner, and you can feel it subtly as the days start to get a bit longer and the sun is beginning to feel a little bit warmer. The garden is coming back to life, and bees are returning to inspect those early bloomers. So why not make the most out of your garden, balcony or even window sill this spring? Plant some of these easy-to-grow herbs, perfect for cooking .
1. Rosemary
Rosemary is a fairly hardy herb, and if planted in the right spot, tends to thrive even if you forget about it for a while. It is essentially the Jacques Kallis of herbs, the perfect all-rounder that seems to go well with anything. Add it to your Sunday roast or pasta sauce.
2. Thyme
Another one of the hardy Mediterranean herbs to grow relatively easily in your garden. compatible with most herbs, its sharp but subtle flavour blends well making it a staple of any herb garden.
3. Fennel
Fennel’s feathery foliage not only make for an aesthetic addition to your garden, but plants are ideal companions for your veggie patch. They are ideal for attracting pest predators like ladybugs. As a herb, fennel is great as a fresh garnish on fish or potatoes.
4. Nasturtium
Another good companion plant is often used as a ‘sacrificial’ plant – something planted with your veggie garden, but for the purpose of attracting pests. Aphids are especially attracted to nasturtium, meaning they’ll leave your prized brassicas alone. The leaves also have a distinct peppery flavour that offers a tanginess to your salad.
5. Basil
The classic Italian herb is easy to grow, and its luscious green leaves are also a beautiful addition. Use it in cooking all harvest to make a pesto or the leaves are an elegant garnish if you make a traditional Margherita pizza. These herbs don’t tend to survive the cold winters, so be sure to let a few stems go to seed so you can plant them the next spring.
6. Paprika
Not exactly a herb, but an important flavour component in many dishes. Fresh paprika added to your curry’s, stir fry’s or even roast veggies, paprika can easily become central in your cooking arsenal. There is also something incredibly satisfying about seeing your own homegrown red chillies in the garden. Remember to save some of the seeds of this plant for the next season.
7. Spekboom
Picture: Elise Kirsten
Not a herb, but well worth the mention. Not only is this a hardy, water-wise addition to your garden, but a lovely addition to a salad. Meaning ‘bacon tree’ if you translate it directly from Afrikaans, its lemony but crispy leaves add a nice zesty crunch to your fresh dishes (and it’s high in vitamin-c!)
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Pictures: Unsplash
