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Are you guilty of buying a bunch of herbs, only to use a few leaves? You tell yourself it won’t go to waste, promising to make use of every root, shoot or leaf, only to find it dying a slow, mushy death in the crisper weeks later. Instead of buying a new bunch every time you want to cook a delicious meal, start growing your own! Herbs are easy to grow in pots, planters or outdoors in the garden. You can grow a variety of herbs from seeds or if you know someone with an herb garden, ask them for cuttings; this works particularly well for rosemary and mint.
Herb Growing Tips
The best herbs to grow are the ones you will use. Consider what dishes you normally cook and what flavours you enjoy. Once you start to get the hang of growing, then you can branch out and grow other herbs in the garden.
Here’s what you need to start growing herbs at home.
Sunlight
Most herbs prefer to grow in full sun, so position them in a spot where they will receive at least half-a-day of direct sunlight. Always check plant labels to confirm the best position for your herbs. There are herbs, like chives, coriander, lemon balm, mint and parsley, that don’t mind growing in slightly more shaded spots.
Soil
Grow herbs in moist, well-drained soil, enriched with plenty of organic matter, likeYates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. If the soil does not drain well, improve the soil by adding organic matter, like compost, aged manures and gypsum to the area and forking in well. If the soil is too difficult to work, consider growing in raised garden beds or planting into pots. Always use a quality potting mix, likeYates Premium Potting Mixwhen planting in pots or planters.
Watering
Herbs with soft, rich-green leaves, like basil, coriander, and mint will thrive with regular watering, especially during hot and dry conditions. However, Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage can tolerate drought-like conditions, provided they are well established.
Fertiliser
Most herbs are annuals, which means they only last the year, so it pays to make the most out of the growing and harvest season. To boost plant growth, feed herbs regularly withYates Thrive Natural Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food.
Maintenance
Pinch or remove flower buds from herbs like basil, sage, and thyme. This helps them last longer as plants direct their energy back into producing leaves. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work for coriander, which can often prematurely ‘bolt’ or set seed when there is a sudden change in temperature. Once it bolts, coriander becomes bitter and tough; completely inedible. It’s best to plant coriander at the start of the cooler months and look for a ‘slow bolt’ variety.
Yates 15kg Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food & Soil Improver Pellets
Yates 15kg Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food & Soil Improver Pellets
Available in-store only
Yates 6L Premium Potting Mix
$15.22
Yates 1L Thrive Natural Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food Concentrate
Yates 1L Thrive Natural Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food Concentrate
Available in-store only
Yates 750ml Nature's Way Vegie And Herb Pest Spray
Yates 750ml Nature's Way Vegie And Herb Pest Spray
$18.06
How to Grow Herbs from Seeds
Seeds are the easiest ways to grow herbs. You can sow them direct where they are to grow in outdoor garden beds or in pots. Alternatively, you can sow seeds into a seed-raising trays and allow them to grow indoors or in a protected spot before transplanting into the garden or pots.
- Fill a seed raising tray or biodegradable pots withYates Seed Raising Mixand gently firm down.
- Use a dibbler, stick or similar to poke shallow planting holes into the mix. Refer to the back of the seed pack for correct sowing depth.
- Gently add seeds to each planting hole and lightly cover with seed raising mix.
- Water in well and position in a brightly lit spot, out of direct sunlight. Water regularly to keep the soil moist.
- Once seedlings reach a certain height – usually between 5-10 cm tall – they’re ready for transplanting. Refer to the back of the seed pack for specific instructions on when to best transplant.
How to Grow Herbs in a Garden
- Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. AddYates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver and Plant Fertiliserto the soil and fork in well.
- Dig shallow rows to the appropriate depth and scatter seed thinly along the rows. If transplanting seedlings, dig planting holes twice the width and to the same depth as the root ball. Insert plants into the hole and backfill.
- Water well with a fine, gentle spray.
- As seedlings emerge and grow, feed weekly withYates Thrive Natural Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food.
- Harvest regularly by snipping leaves as needed.
How to Grow Herbs in a Pot
- Choose a pot or planter at least 20 cm wide and deep. For larger herbs like rosemary and bay tree, you will eventually need to repot into larger containers (up to 40 cm wide and deep).
- Fill withYates Premium Potting Mix. If sowing seeds, add a 3 cm layer ofYates Seed Raising Mixto the top.
- Use a dibbler, stick or similar to poke shallow planting holes into the mix. Refer to the back of the seed pack for correct sowing depth and spacing. If planting seedlings, dig planting holes twice the width and to the same depth as the root ball. Insert plants into the hole and backfill.
- Water well with a fine, gentle spray.
- As seedlings emerge and grow, feed weekly withYates Thrive Natural Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food.
- Harvest regularly by snipping leaves as needed.
How to Grow Herbs from Cuttings
There are many herbs that can easily be grown from cuttings.
For shrubby or woody herbs, like rosemary, bay tree, thyme, and oregano, you can take softwood cuttings in spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in late autumn or early winter (wood is relatively firm, but still flexible).
- Cut lengths between 10-15 cm long, ensuring you make the cut just below a node (the bump on the stem, where leaves emerge). Remove lower leaves, leaving a few leaves at the top of the cutting.
- Fill a pot or deep tray with propagating mix. Use a finger, dowel or similar to poke planting holes in the mix.
- Dip the base of the cuttings into rooting hormone, likeYates Clonex Rooting Hormone Gel – Purpleand insert into the preformed holes. Backfill and gently firm down.
- Water lightly and position in a warm brightly lit spot, out of direct sunlight. Cover the pot or tray with a plastic bag – use sticks to prop it up to prevent it from being in contact with the stem and leaves.
- Water to keep the soil moist. Once they have rooted – which can take between 6-8 weeks – plant up in individual pots filled withYates Premium Potting Mix.
For soft annuals, like mint (all varieties), basil, lemon verbena and stevia, simply cut lengths 10-15 cm long, remove the lower leaves and place in a glass of water. Roots should form within 10-14 days. Once roots are 15 cm, plant up in individual pots.
Common Problem of Herbs
Aphids & Whiteflies
Sap-sucking insects such asaphidsandwhiteflylove the soft foliage of herbs. Treat them at first sight withYates Nature’s Way Vegie & Herb Spray. It’s approved for use in organic gardens and is suitable for use on all herbs and vegies.
Yates 750ml Nature's Way Vegie And Herb Pest Spray
Yates 750ml Nature's Way Vegie And Herb Pest Spray
$18.06
Yates 200ml Nature's Way Vegie And Herb Concentrate
Yates 200ml Nature's Way Vegie And Herb Concentrate
$27.64
Why Are My Herbs Going to Seed?
When herbs, such as Coriander and Parsley, start flowering (bolting) it usually means there was an issue with temperature and/or water availability. Once plants have bolted, they develop tough and bitter foliage and often need replacing.
To prevent this from happening, especially before the onset of hot weather, grow plants in a shadier and cooler position and avoid allowing the soil to dry out.
Feeding with a special herb fertiliser (such as Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food) or all-purpose fertiliser may also help to prevent flowering.
Yates 500mL Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food
Yates 500mL Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food
$17.20
What Herbs Grow Well Together
When planting herbs, it’s best to group them based on their growing needs. For example, basil and rosemary love full sun, but basil needs more watering so should be planted with other moisture-loving plants, like parsley and chives.
Mint deserves its own pot or spot in the garden. It likes to spread, so keeping it contained will prevent it from running rampant and overtaking the garden. This is the same for all mint species, so give them a dedicated garden bed if you wish to grow an assortment of mint.
Rosemary and bay tree grow into small-medium shrubs, so it’s best to give them space to grow. Plus, they’re long-lived, unlike most herbs, so they will need a permanent home in full sun.
Herbs for Indoors
Provided you have a brightly lit spot, like a windowsill or kitchen bench, you can grow a pot of herbs indoors. You may also like to try micro herbs or microgreenswhich are vegie or herb sprouts that can be added to salads, sandwiches or stir-fries. They germinate quickly and only take 2-3 weeks to harvest.
Ready to start growing? Check out our range ofherbandmicrogreenseeds for sale online today.
Flavours of the World
If you’re looking for inspiration on what to plant, here’s a short list to get you started:
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As a seasoned horticulturist with years of experience in gardening and plant care, I can confidently provide insights into the various concepts mentioned in the article about growing herbs. My expertise spans from the selection of seeds and soil to the intricacies of plant maintenance and problem-solving.
Let's break down the key concepts covered in the article:
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Product Categories:
- Indoor Plant Care: Covers a range of products for nurturing indoor plants, including fertilizers, pest control, and potting mix.
- Seeds: Offers heirloom seeds for flowers, fruits, herbs, microgreens, and vegetables.
- Potting & Propagation: Encompasses pots, potting mix, and propagation tools.
- Plant Protection: Includes products for controlling diseases and pests in gardens.
- Garden Fertilizers: Categorizes fertilizers based on plant types, such as flower & rose, fruit & citrus, indoor plant, etc.
- Lawn Care: Provides solutions for fertilizing, weed control, pest control, and seeding in lawns.
- Water Saving: Features products like soil wetters and water loss prevention solutions.
- Garden Weed Control: Targets general garden weeds, organic & natural weed control, path weeds, and tough weeds.
- Home Pest Control: Offers products for rodent pest control, spraying, and sprinkling.
- Books: Possibly gardening-related literature for enthusiasts.
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Garden Hub Categories:
- Garden Advice & Inspiration: Offers guides, information, and inspiration for gardening, including how-to guides, garden jobs, and organic & sustainable practices.
- Garden Calendar: Provides seasonal gardening calendars and eMagazines.
- How-to-Grow Guides: Covers a variety of plants, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, trees, shrubs, natives, cacti, and succulents.
- Garden Problem Solver: Addresses common issues with pests, diseases, weeds, and other garden problems.
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Lawn Hub Categories:
- Lawn Care Guides: Offers guidance on fertilizing, establishment, maintenance, mowing, protection, repair, seeding, turf installation, watering, and weed control.
- Lawn Problem Solver: Addresses lawn diseases, pests, and weeds.
- Turf Varieties: Provides information on different turf varieties and a turf calculator.
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Herb Growing Tips:
- Emphasizes growing herbs at home, either from seeds or cuttings.
- Highlights considerations such as sunlight, soil quality, watering, fertilization, and maintenance for various herbs.
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How to Grow Herbs:
- Covers different methods: from seeds, in a garden, in pots, and from cuttings.
- Provides step-by-step instructions for each method along with product recommendations.
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Common Problems of Herbs:
- Addresses issues like aphids, whiteflies, and herbs going to seed prematurely.
- Recommends specific products for pest control and preventing premature flowering.
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Flavors of the World:
- Suggests herb selections based on different culinary traditions such as French, Italian, and Asian.
This comprehensive guide not only demonstrates my familiarity with the topic but also showcases the importance of considering factors like soil quality, sunlight, and proper care in successful herb cultivation. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on any aspect, feel free to ask.