Growing Edible Plants Indoors
February 27, 2025 12:37 pmThe ‘revolution’ in houseplants has made us much more comfortable with the idea of growing plants indoors. So, the next…
Botanical Infusions
January 30, 2025 2:40 pmHerb syrups, spiced vinegars, flavoured oils and even flavoured vodka – summer’s the perfect time to experiment with botanical infusions…
10 Tips For Harvesting Herbs
January 30, 2025 2:27 pmMake the most of your herb harvesting all year round with these fundamental tips. 1. Harvest early Like many gardening…
Ashwagandha
September 1, 2024 2:44 pmWhat does lion hunting, Tutankhamun and a smelly horse have in common? Ashwagandha! In our fast-paced lives, it is not…
Chamomile
September 1, 2024 2:26 pmA herb that has it all – easy to grow, several health benefits and with its daisy flowers, pretty in…
Parsley
May 19, 2024 3:19 pmThis herb is not only a very healthy, all-purpose garnish, it is an excellent companion plant. Sowing parsley from seed…
Spicy Edible Plants
March 21, 2024 11:12 amThere’s always been a connection between hot countries and spicy food. The common assumption is that foods that make us…
Herbes de Provence
December 13, 2023 5:24 pmIn yonder years, the grandmothers took to the hills in the Provence region of South Eastern France to collect wild…
Rocket
November 24, 2023 2:33 pmRocket is probably the easiest herb to grow from seed, and its peppery leaves offer just the right kind of…
Gifts And Decor From The Garden
October 25, 2023 3:26 pmThere is so much a food garden can give you besides just something to eat. Here are some ideas for…
Water-Wise Plants For Your Kitchen Garden
October 25, 2023 9:15 amSummer is here, and while that usually means rain, it can also mean long periods of sun beating down on…
Herb Infused Soaps
October 5, 2023 9:02 pmWash away the dust of the day with these homemade herbal soaps Making herbal soaps to use yourself or to…
Edible Flowers
March 2, 2023 8:18 amAlthough we treasure garden flowers as eye candy and not as food, there are many that are edible. They’re also…
Organic farming done right!
January 26, 2023 11:24 amA showcase organic farm is being established in KZN, and we can’t wait to see it grow from strength to…
Lemongrass
January 26, 2023 11:04 amThe zestiest of grasses Lemongrass is widely used in Asian cuisine,and it offers more than just lemony flavour. Although, clump-forming…
Detox in a Pot
January 23, 2023 11:11 amWe 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 pmThe 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 amIf you are a lover of all things hot and spicy, Vietnamese coriander can be added to your arsenal of…
A diverse diet is a healthy diet
December 13, 2022 11:10 amWe all know how important a diverse diet is for our health. However, scientists believe that our current diets are…
Groundcover Herbs
November 23, 2022 3:22 pmDon’t overlook groundcover herbs for plant health and fragrance. Do groundcover herbs have a role to play in the food…
Unfussy Okra
October 28, 2022 3:12 pmOkra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a vegetable with historical roots firmly planted on the African continent. Historians believe it was first…
The Flavours of the Med
October 28, 2022 11:48 amJam-packed with flavour, a Mediterranean garden virtually looks after itself. Mediterranean flavours are ones we all love – tomatoes, herbs…
Herbs for Healthy Pets – Inside and Out
June 15, 2022 2:21 pmPets also need some pampering in winter, so try these herbs for pets. Like people, animals feel the cold and…
Best Herbs for Soups and Stews
May 16, 2022 11:33 amWith the arrival of autumn, we start thinking about soups and stews. It is with a sense of anticipation, not…
Electric Daisy – Comfortably Numb Tongue
May 13, 2022 4:21 pmThis strange flower will leave you speechless – because you’ve got no feeling in your tongue. The electric daisy is…
All the tea in china, at home
May 13, 2022 1:21 pmLady Bonin, renowned tea expert, gives us some insight into her world Tea has been my obsessive passion for the…
Indigenous Medicinal Herbs for Winter Ailments
May 11, 2022 4:02 pmThe use of herbs as medicinal plants goes back centuries, and that includes our own indigenous medicinal herbs. Starting with…
Grow More Tang: Grow Sorrel
April 13, 2022 3:01 pmSorrel may look like lettuce, but it’s actually far from it, with a tangy lemon-zest flavour that will brighten up…
April Herb Harvest
April 7, 2022 5:05 pmApril and May are traditionally the months to harvest and preserve herbs. While many of the bushy perennial herbs will…
The Allure of Lavender
April 7, 2022 3:13 pmLavender’s strong fragrance has bewitched and beguiled folk for over 2500 years. According to lore and legend, even Cleopatra of…
Top 10 Plant Friends
March 29, 2022 1:49 pmSome plants grow well together and some don’t. In the vegetable garden you can get the best out of a…
A Paler Shade of Borage
March 17, 2022 4:01 pmSeldom seen, white or snowy borage is a delicately beautiful addition to the herb or ornamental garden. I love having…
Fragrant herbs for repelling insects
March 2, 2022 2:50 pmWhen we’re talking insect repellent herbs, lemony herbs are particularly useful in repelling mosquitoes, flies or garden pests like whiteflies…
7 Reasons to Use Herbs for Dogs and Cats
February 17, 2022 3:33 pmHerbs benefit our pets almost as much as they do us. Here is our list of the many benefits of…
Iced Herb Teas
January 24, 2022 4:19 pmA healthy way to beat the thirst February is the hottest month of the year, and there’s nothing more refreshing…
Feed The Plants That Feed You
November 30, 2021 8:38 pmThe buzz of bees – that’s one thing that we associate with spring and the edible garden. But bees need…
7 Herbs for Holiday Entertaining
November 23, 2021 10:05 amWhether your holiday season entertaining is going to be gourmet or casual, here are seven quite ordinary herbs for the…
Herbs for Bridal Bouquets
November 8, 2021 9:39 pmHerbs are trending as bridal bouquets. That shouldn’t be surprising, because herbs have always had a special meaning: rosemary for…
Using Herbs To Manage Garden Pests
November 4, 2021 1:59 pmThe start of a new season is always full of possibilities, and here is a project that may just capture…
Creating an Edible Patio with Herbs
October 13, 2021 4:21 pm5 tips for patio herbs Herbs need sunshine, but in midsummer they will do better with morning sun and afternoon…
Herbs for Shellfish
October 12, 2021 9:48 amWhat is the ultimate foodie treat? This is subjective of course, but a safe bet would be a platter of…
Must-Haves for the Food Garden
September 14, 2021 12:38 pmHerbs are the food gardener’s best partner in the quest to grow veggies organically. The partnership goes far beyond planting…
Design your own herb garden
August 5, 2021 10:13 amIf you’ve decided to grow your own food, think further than just vegetables and consider a herb garden. Herbs are…
Must have herbs for winter
June 7, 2021 9:28 pmIn May the herb garden undergoes a change in character. The focus is more on health and the menu switches…
Saving Summer – A How To Guide for Summer Veg and Herbs!
May 17, 2021 2:58 pmAs the weather starts to get cold, summer crops come to an end. Here are some tips to make the…
6 Spices that you can grow
May 13, 2021 10:10 pmWhy does everyone have a herb garden but not a spice garden? I’m sure that if we were to take…
8 Indigenous Edible Plants
April 20, 2021 2:24 pmWe have a serious wealth of edible and medicinal plants within our rich biodiverse plant kingdom in South Africa. It…
Herbs for Sunday Lunch
April 20, 2021 9:33 amWhat is the meal that brings us all together? Sunday lunch, of course! It is the ultimate family meal and…
Chive Dinner Rolls
March 23, 2021 9:38 pmWhat’s nice about chives is that they usually grow through winter and provide a constant supply. Just cut off the…
Lock in the taste of summer – preserving herbs
March 23, 2021 9:14 pmPreserve the last of your summer herb crop for all-year flavour. Summer’s coming to an end, and unfortunately that means…
Herbs For Summer Fruits
November 24, 2020 9:46 pmWhat is the taste of summer? Cool watermelon, juicy and refreshing; pineapple, sweet and tart; slivers of golden mangoes and…
5 Companion Herbs for Healthy Summer Crops
November 10, 2020 11:18 amPlanting companion herbs is the mainstay of organic gardening. This is because of the role it plays in combatting pests…
Herbs For Biscuits
November 6, 2020 8:57 amHerbs can turn an ordinary biscuit into something far more interesting, both to look at and to eat. Whether you…
A Pollinator Garden – Everyone is Welcome!
November 5, 2020 10:12 pmA fresh start, for the bees After clearing the mess from a pumpkin patch disaster, we sat down and drew…
Grow Your Own Health
November 3, 2020 10:28 pmHerbs to Plant in Spring The mantra of organic gardeners is that ‘healthy soil makes healthy vegetables makes healthy people’.…
A Baker’s Dozen
November 3, 2020 9:08 pmBaking bread is an age-old craft, and adding flavour with fresh garden herbs makes it even more satisfying. There’s not…
Faultless Flax
October 16, 2020 3:02 pmFlax (Linum usitatissimum) also known as linseed, is one of the oldest crops grown commercially. It was initially used for…
Borage
August 14, 2020 9:42 amIts name is derived from the Celtic term for courage, and as early as the life of Roman naturalist and…
Nasturtiums
August 13, 2020 12:18 pmA favourite in the ornamental garden, nasturtiums also have a host of culinary and ornamental uses. On seed shelves, you’ll…
Lemon Herbs
May 4, 2020 5:51 pmTop of the list in culinary herbs is the lemon-flavoured group. They may have a more subtle taste than lemon…
Oregano
April 2, 2020 9:41 amOregano is a flavourful herb that is used extensively in Mediterranean cuisine, especially Italian and Greek food. Why grow it?…
6 Reasons to Grow Comfrey
March 20, 2020 1:42 pmComfrey has very special properties that will benefit many areas of health and garden maintenance. It’s one of the most…
Sunflowers
December 10, 2019 12:55 pmOne of the most important crops in agriculture today is the common sunflower (Helianthus annuus). The plants are characterised by…
Perfect Herbs for Pork
November 11, 2019 12:38 pmIf you plan to put pork on the menu, don’t forget about the herbs that go with it, like sage,…
Artemisia dracunculus
November 7, 2019 10:36 amFrench Tarragon French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a frost-hardy perennial with narrow green leaves that have an anise flavour. It…
Pots of flavour in small spaces
September 18, 2019 2:57 pmYou don’t need acres of garden to grow fresh salads and veggies. All you need is a balcony, patio or…
Herbs to Grow
July 2, 2019 8:10 amRosemary is a woody evergreen shrub that grows up to 2m high, with aromatic, needle-like foliage. It produces blue or…
3 herbs for your next spicy dish
June 4, 2019 11:31 amOregano ‘Hot and spicy’ has chilli-flavoured leaves that add a fiery edge to a dish. Use it as a substitute…
3 herb-infused pampering ideas
April 24, 2019 8:13 amMother’s Day is on its way, and if you want to be more original than giving Mum choccies and smelly…
5 favourites to grow in Winter
March 11, 2019 8:00 am1. Lemon Grass This clump-forming perennial with strongly lemon-scented leaves is the perfect addition to any South East Asian dishes.…
Rosemary
January 21, 2019 8:00 amRosemary imparts a delicious flavour and aroma to food. It is a healing herb for the body and soul, a…
Turmeric
December 10, 2018 8:00 amAlso known as Curcuma longa, Curcuma domestica is believed to have originated in India. The name ‘turmeric’ is thought to…
Marvellous Mint
December 3, 2018 9:35 amMint is often seen as the delinquent in the food garden, overgrowing other plants, slurping up their food and water,…
7 herbs for this holiday season
November 21, 2018 3:35 pm1. Sweet basil does best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Grow in fertile, wellcomposted soil that drains well. For…
Windowsill Farming
October 1, 2018 11:59 amHave the freshest leaves at your fingertips by growing them on your kitchen windowsills. If you think you need a…
Lavender is trending
April 10, 2018 1:15 pmPurple is the ‘new colour of health’, as well as the choice of Pantone’s trendsetters. Foodies flirting with ‘botanical’ flavours…
Growing Herbs In Pots
February 16, 2018 10:12 amThere 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 pmTry 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 amSage Winter is generally a difficult time for growing herbs, but one herb that is certainly worth nursing through this…
Bay Leaves: Uses, Benefits and Growing Tips
January 29, 2018 11:53 amIt may come as a surprise, but bay leaves have long been associated with winter festivities, even predating Christmas. Sweet…
Lavender fragrance
January 29, 2018 11:26 amMake your own fragrance The allure of lavender is its aromatic yet fruity fragrance that always lifts the spirits. The…
Lavender
January 29, 2018 11:21 amIf you plant just one herb, it should be lavender, for no other herb combines so many qualities in one…
Perennial Basils
January 29, 2018 10:55 amBasil is regarded as the king of summer herbs – and that includes the perennial varieties which have as many…
Dilly for Dill
January 29, 2018 10:35 amDilly for Dill With its feathery, blue-green leaves and clusters of yellow flowers in summer, dill (Anethum graveolens) is an…
Calendula Home Remedies
January 29, 2018 9:39 amCalendula Home Remedies With a good supply of fresh or dried calendula petals, you can set up your own home…
Calendula
January 29, 2018 9:20 amCalendula In winter, Calendula Officinalis rubs shoulders with pansies, petunias and violas on the seedling rack in garden centres. That’s…
Rosemary Bath Smoothie
January 29, 2018 8:35 amHerb Project: Rosemary Bath Smoothie A long, soaking bath is one of the rituals of winter. A strong infusion of…
Myrtle
January 26, 2018 3:34 pmMyrtle 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 pmThe 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 pmWhether you know it as coriander, cilantro, dahnia or Chinese parsley, Coriandrum sativum is commonly used by cooks across continents…
Watercress Wonders
January 26, 2018 9:31 amThe wonders of watercress. Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is a creeping perennial that is one of the oldest leafy vegetables to…
Growing Garlic
January 25, 2018 1:59 pmPlanting garlic The bulbs should be planted in autumn (March or April) about 10cm deep, pointed end up, and covered…
Flavourful Fennel
January 25, 2018 1:06 pmFlavourful Fennel Spicy and sweet, fennel is a cook’s dream and a delight for gardeners who love its striking foliage…
Winter Cut Flowers For The Veggie Garden
January 24, 2018 10:29 amIf you are hooked on the pleasure of picking your own grown veggies and herbs, you should extend that to…
Hot Pot Herbs
January 23, 2018 2:55 pmHerbs for a hot pot Herbs grow so well in pots that there is almost no excuse for not growing…
Hot and Spicy Oregano
January 22, 2018 2:19 pmThis herb can take the heat There’s no place for mild herbs in Mexico’s hot and spicy food. Herbs have…
Grow a Mojito
January 22, 2018 10:57 amNo herb garden should be without mint to add flavour to food and minty freshness to punches and cocktails. Plant…
Five Herb Amigos
January 19, 2018 8:39 amFive Herb Amigos Make sure your herb garden includes this convivial band of herbs, so frequently used to complement Mexican…
Kokedama Balls
January 18, 2018 2:16 pmHave a ball with Kokedama The space-saving trend of kokedama, the Japanese art of growing plants in moss balls, is…
How to Dry Herbs
January 18, 2018 11:29 amHow 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 amThyme for All Seasons Although its growing season is in the warmer months, thyme is the perfect choice for the…
Winter Ways with Rosemary
January 18, 2018 11:14 amFrost-hardy rosemary is a boon in winter: it makes the perfect protective, edible hedge, infuses a steamy bath with its…
Herbal Eye Candy
January 17, 2018 10:38 amAlthough herbs are mostly grown for practical reasons such as for culinary, medicinal and cosmetic uses, there are herbal plants…
Artichoke
January 15, 2018 2:52 pmThe 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 pmSweet basil is the basil that everyone knows, with large, soft green leaves and sprays of white flowers. It grows…
Ocimum Basilicum
January 8, 2018 12:56 pmSweet Basil Ocimum basilicum Sweet basil has a unique taste that is closely related to its spicy sweet fragrance. Of…
Foeniculum Vulgare
December 19, 2017 10:27 amPerennial Fennel, Bronze Fennel Foeniculum vulgare Foeniculum vulgare is a beautiful garden herb that grows into a stately two-metre high…
Chervil
December 13, 2017 3:01 pmChervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is one of the lesser-known culinary herbs but no less significant. In medieval times, Chervil was prized…
Veggie Planter
November 27, 2017 10:56 amA Nifty Veggie Planter Having your herbs or veggies at raised level makes it a pleasure to cultivate them –…
Raise a Kitchen Garden
November 6, 2017 12:45 pmRaise a Kitchen Garden: The initial effort required to build a raised garden is handsomely rewarded once it is up…
Companion Planting for Pest Control
November 3, 2017 11:57 amCompanion planting has a long tradition in organic gardening practice. The principle behind companion planting is that certain plants either…
Sowing Guide for December
November 2, 2017 7:05 amLeaf vegetables: spinach, rocket Root vegetables: beetroot (cooler areas) Legumes: bush and runner beans Brassicas: broccoli (first sowing for cooler…
Festive Season Herbs – Caribbean Style
December 9, 2016 7:18 amThyme is one of the top five herbs used in Caribbean cooking, being the mainstay of green seasoning. In addition…
The Flavours of an Indian Summer
September 29, 2016 5:02 pmSpicy, steamy, exotic, mysterious… there are so many more words that can be used to describe the subcontinent of India,…
Veggies and Herbs for light shade
January 18, 2016 8:00 amIf your eagerness to grow your own herbs and vegetables is being stymied by the lack of an area that…
Rosmarinus Officinalis – Rosemary
January 14, 2016 9:50 amThere are many stories told about the magic and romance that involve the fragrant herb Rosemary, including the claim that…
Preparing for a Summer Herb Garden
September 4, 2015 6:45 amHerbs are an organic gardener’s best resource, especially when it comes to preparing the garden for summer. Quite a number…
Make a Herb Walk Using Thyme
August 25, 2015 6:37 amMost gardens have a pathway and generally we think of it as being no more than a means of getting…
Lavendula
August 17, 2015 8:31 amLavender Their fragrance and range of flower colours, from lilac to deep purple, pink and blue, make lavender irresistible to…
Lavandula dentata var. candicans
August 17, 2015 8:22 amGrey French Lavender No list of grey-foliaged plants would be complete without the inclusion of lavenders, most of which have…
Garden Gifts from the Vegetable Garden
July 14, 2015 8:42 amMany food gardeners have mixed feelings about the December holiday season. It is peak harvesting season for summer vegetables, weeds…
Cuminum Cyminum
April 20, 2015 8:51 amCumin 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 amBorage This annual herb is equally at home in the herb, veggie or cottage-style garden. The plant forms a basal…
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