Latest Posts

Parsley

May 19, 2024 3:19 pm Published by

This herb is not only a very healthy, all-purpose garnish, it is an excellent companion plant. Sowing parsley from seed…

Wooden Herb Stripper

November 1, 2023 12:29 pm Published by

If you love cooking but the tedious task of stripping the leaves off your home-grown herbs is a frustration, this…

herbal soaps

Herb Infused Soaps

October 5, 2023 9:02 pm Published by

Wash away the dust of the day with these homemade herbal soaps Making herbal soaps to use yourself or to…

Recipes with Nasturtiums

October 3, 2023 2:08 pm Published by

They may look sweet, but nasturtiums have a surprisingly peppery taste, similar to mustard or watercress. This makes them great…

Window Box Veggie Gardening

August 22, 2023 9:14 am Published by

The idea of window box farming sounds delightfully quixotic and impractical. Actually, it’s an invitation to those who look longingly…

Warm and Spicy Galangal

August 21, 2023 10:09 am Published by

Closely related to ginger and turmeric, galangal is the up-and-coming spice you need to know about. If you’ve watched one…

Detox in a Pot

Detox in a Pot

January 23, 2023 11:11 am Published by

We can thank the plant world for providing a cornucopia of herbs that deliver not only essential vitamins and minerals,…

Lemon Balm

December 13, 2022 4:45 pm Published by

The light lemon fragrance and flavour of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) makes this an appealing summer herb. While its flavour…

Vietnamese Coriander

December 13, 2022 11:30 am Published by

If you are a lover of all things hot and spicy, Vietnamese coriander can be added to your arsenal of…

groundcover herbs

Groundcover Herbs

November 23, 2022 3:22 pm Published by

Don’t overlook groundcover herbs for plant health and fragrance. Do groundcover herbs have a role to play in the food…

hummus recipes

5 Hummus Recipes

April 13, 2022 3:38 pm Published by

While the versatile chickpea is the main traditional ingredient of hummus recipes, we have taken liberties and expanded the thinking…

herb harvest

April Herb Harvest

April 7, 2022 5:05 pm Published by

April and May are traditionally the months to harvest and preserve herbs. While many of the bushy perennial herbs will…

Top 10 Plant Friends

March 29, 2022 1:49 pm Published by

Some plants grow well together and some don’t. In the vegetable garden you can get the best out of a…

white borage

A Paler Shade of Borage

March 17, 2022 4:01 pm Published by

Seldom seen, white or snowy borage is a delicately beautiful addition to the herb or ornamental garden. I love having…

iced herb teas

Iced Herb Teas

January 24, 2022 4:19 pm Published by

A healthy way to beat the thirst February is the hottest month of the year, and there’s nothing more refreshing…

diy dog treats

DIY Dog Treats

January 20, 2022 8:07 am Published by

These peanut butter-based DIY dog treats are easy to make and a good source of protein and healthy fats for…

herbs for bridal bouquets

Herbs for Bridal Bouquets

November 8, 2021 9:39 pm Published by

Herbs are trending as bridal bouquets. That shouldn’t be surprising, because herbs have always had a special meaning: rosemary for…

basil sorbet herbs for summer fruits

Herbs For Summer Fruits

November 24, 2020 9:46 pm Published by

What is the taste of summer? Cool watermelon, juicy and refreshing; pineapple, sweet and tart; slivers of golden mangoes and…

herb biscuits

Herbs For Biscuits

November 6, 2020 8:57 am Published by

Herbs can elevate a plain old boring biscuit to something better and prettier to display (and eat!). Herbs for biscuits…

feverfew

Grow Your Own Health

November 3, 2020 10:28 pm Published by

Herbs to Plant in Spring The mantra of organic gardeners is that ‘healthy soil makes healthy vegetables makes healthy people’.…

herb bread

A Baker’s Dozen

November 3, 2020 9:08 pm Published by

Baking bread is an age-old craft, and adding flavour with fresh garden herbs makes it even more satisfying. There’s not…

Artemisia dracunculus

November 7, 2019 10:36 am Published by

French Tarragon French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a frost-hardy perennial with narrow green leaves that have an anise flavour. It…

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Red Curry Paste

May 20, 2019 8:00 am Published by

Herbs are the major ingredient in Thai curry paste, which forms the base of vegetarian curries as well as chicken,…

Marvellous Mint

December 3, 2018 9:35 am Published by

Mint is often seen as the delinquent in the food garden, overgrowing other plants, slurping up their food and water,…

Windowsill Farming

October 1, 2018 11:59 am Published by

Have the freshest leaves at your fingertips by growing them on your kitchen windowsills. If you think you need a…

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Lavender is trending

April 10, 2018 1:15 pm Published by

Purple is the ‘new colour of health’, as well as the choice of Pantone’s trendsetters. Foodies flirting with ‘botanical’ flavours…

Watermelon and Herb Salad

March 14, 2018 6:15 pm Published by

Watermelon and Herb Salad Watermelon and herbs make the idea complement to any summer braai. The freshness of the herbs…

Growing Herbs In Pots

February 16, 2018 10:12 am Published by

There is no need to ever be without herbs. For a year-round supply, grow them in pots. Herbs grow so well…

Colourful Herbs

February 5, 2018 2:43 pm Published by

Try something different in your next herb pot by using a variety of flowering herbs and variegated leaves. Utilise taller…

Sage

February 5, 2018 10:36 am Published by

Sage Winter is generally a difficult time for growing herbs, but one herb that is certainly worth nursing through this…

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Noble Bay

January 29, 2018 11:53 am Published by

Bay, the noblest of leaves It may come as a surprise, but sweet bay (Laurus nobilis) has a long association…

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Lavender fragrance

January 29, 2018 11:26 am Published by

Make your own fragrance The allure of lavender is its aromatic yet fruity fragrance that always lifts the spirits. The…

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Lavender

January 29, 2018 11:21 am Published by

If you plant just one herb, it should be lavender, for no other herb combines so many qualities in one…

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Perennial Basils

January 29, 2018 10:55 am Published by

Basil is regarded as the king of summer herbs – and that includes the perennial varieties which have as many…

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Dilly for Dill

January 29, 2018 10:35 am Published by

Dilly for Dill With its feathery, blue-green leaves and clusters of yellow flowers in summer, dill (Anethum graveolens) is an…

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Calendula

January 29, 2018 9:20 am Published by

Calendula In winter, Calendula Officinalis rubs shoulders with pansies, petunias and violas on the seedling rack in garden centres. That’s…

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Myrtle

January 26, 2018 3:34 pm Published by

Myrtle What comes to mind at the mention of myrtle? Topiary, or hedging, or maybe a sprig in a bride’s…

The Wonders of Lovage

January 26, 2018 2:58 pm Published by

The strong, meaty taste of lovage leaves is a delicious base for soups, stews, tomato-based sauces, and stock. A little…

Coriander

January 26, 2018 2:44 pm Published by

Whether you know it as coriander, cilantro, dahnia or Chinese parsley, Coriandrum sativum is commonly used by cooks across continents…

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Aïoli

January 25, 2018 2:04 pm Published by

Ingredients: 1 clove garlic, chopped2 egg yolks1 tablespoon lemon juice1 teaspoon Dijon mustard½ cup light olive oil½ cup sunflower oil2…

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Flavourful Fennel

January 25, 2018 1:06 pm Published by

Flavourful Fennel Spicy and sweet, fennel is a cook’s dream and a delight for gardeners who love its striking foliage…

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Hot Pot Herbs

January 23, 2018 2:55 pm Published by

Herbs for a hot pot Herbs grow so well in pots that there is almost no excuse for not growing…

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Hot and Spicy Oregano

January 22, 2018 2:19 pm Published by

This herb can take the heat There’s no place for mild herbs in Mexico’s hot and spicy food. Herbs have…

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Grow a Mojito

January 22, 2018 10:57 am Published by

Grow a Mojito No herb garden should be without mint to add flavour to food and minty freshness to punches…

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Five Herb Amigos

January 19, 2018 8:39 am Published by

Five Herb Amigos Make sure your herb garden includes this convivial band of herbs, so frequently used to complement Mexican…

How to Dry Herbs

January 18, 2018 11:29 am Published by

How to dry herbs The most natural process of preserving herbs is to dry them in a cool, airy room,…

Thyme for All Seasons

January 18, 2018 11:20 am Published by

Thyme for All Seasons Although its growing season is in the warmer months, thyme is the perfect choice for the…

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Winter Ways with Rosemary

January 18, 2018 11:14 am Published by

Frost-hardy rosemary is a boon in winter: it makes the perfect protective, edible hedge, infuses a steamy bath with its…

Robust Rhubarb

January 17, 2018 11:08 am Published by

It’s known as a vegetable, produces stalks that are considered a fruit, and it has been known for centuries as…

Herbal Eye Candy

January 17, 2018 10:38 am Published by

Although herbs are mostly grown for practical reasons such as for culinary, medicinal and cosmetic uses, there are herbal plants…

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Artichoke

January 15, 2018 2:52 pm Published by

The Gourmet Herb Artichoke As a vegetable, globe artichokes (Cynara scolymus) are considered a gourmet delicacy. As a garden plant,…

Basil Varieties

January 15, 2018 12:52 pm Published by

Sweet basil is the basil that everyone knows, with large, soft green leaves and sprays of white flowers. It grows…

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Foeniculum Vulgare

December 19, 2017 10:27 am Published by

Perennial Fennel, Bronze Fennel Foeniculum vulgare Foeniculum vulgare is a beautiful garden herb that grows into a stately two-metre high…

Raise a Kitchen Garden

November 6, 2017 12:45 pm Published by

Raise a Kitchen Garden: The initial effort required to build a raised garden is handsomely rewarded once it is up…

Lavendula

August 17, 2015 8:31 am Published by

Lavender Their fragrance and range of flower colours, from lilac to deep purple, pink and blue, make lavender irresistible to…

Cuminum Cyminum

April 20, 2015 8:51 am Published by

Cumin Cuminum cyminum by Margaret Roberts Cumin is a true exotic, a flavour-filled treasure! It has played a vital role…

Borago officinalis

August 21, 2014 9:41 am Published by

Borage This annual herb is equally at home in the herb, veggie or cottage-style garden. The plant forms a basal…