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Cultivating an herb garden is an easy, money-saving, and satisfying process. Still, before you make the first step towards creating it in your backyard, choose wisely the herbs it should include.
Although herbs are low-maintenance, they still need specific conditions to thrive. For instance, while thyme prefers the full sun, you should plant parsley in a shady spot. Lemon balm enjoys regular, while sage prefers less frequent watering. Thankfully, all these delicious and fragrant herbs grow well in British gardens.
So, to help you make the finest choice, let’s look at the 10 best herbs to grow outdoors in the UK.
Chives
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are a culinary herb praised for their light oniony flavour and decorative values. The fragrant, pointy leaves and soft purple or pink flowers make an elegant addition to any garden. It repels pests, which makes it a great companion plant, especially for vegetables such as lettuce, carrots, or tomatoes. When it comes to herbs, chives grow well next to dill, parsley, and marjoram.
The best time to plant chives outside is from April to early May. So, to ensure the seeds germinate before that, sow them indoors for at least 8 weeks before planting outside. The soil should hold a temperature between 18 and 21℃ and well-watered. Seeds will germinate in 7-14 days. Once the danger of possible frost has passed, you may plant them outside in a rich, moist soil containing clay, sand, or chalk. Chives will grow in a partial shade, yet prefer full sun.
Mint
Mint is one of the most versatile herbs to grow in your garden. A distinct smell and fresh flavour make it a desirable ingredient in savoury and sweet dishes. Even though the mint family includes numerous species, spearmint (Mentha spicata) is the most common choice for a garden. Spearmint grows in shrubs and has distinct spear-shaped leaves. It will also present small, light purple flowers during the blooming season.
The time to plant mint is from March to May. Before that, you should sow seeds indoors, preferably in a multi-purpose soil topped with a layer of vermiculite. Keep the soil moist and warm – around 22℃. Seeds will germinate in about 20 days. After the last danger of frost passes, plant the mint in fertile soil. It should be in a spot where it can get plenty of sun.
Note that mint grows vigorously and spreads through rhizomes, meaning it can be quite invasive. To prevent that, it’s best to plant it in a pot or container that will retain its roots.
Rosemary
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is praised for its specific aroma that compliments many dishes like roasted lamb, various breads, and soups. In the UK, it is one of the favourite ingredients in Yorkshire puddings, and its oil holds many health benefits. Aside from that, this plant with needle-like leaves is evergreen and presents white, pink, purple, or blue flowers.
Rosemary is tolerant of drought, pest-resistant, and somewhat frost-tolerant, yet it will not sustain temperatures lower than 12℃. It’s advisable to plant rosemary from stem cuttings since its germination takes up to 25 days. It will thrive in any type of well-drained soil, especially if it contains alkaline. To make sure it grows well, once the plant is established, you should water it less frequently and trim off the tops to stimulate its growth.
Sage
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is another member of the mint family. Although its oval, wrinkly, greyish-green leaves aren’t exactly eye-catchers, this highly aromatic herb is indispensable in any British garden. Dried sage leaves make a lovely tea, while fresh herbs are an excellent ingredient for essential oils or stuffings.
Still, its growing process requires a bit more preparation and planning. Sowing should take place in the late spring, at the end of April and May. You should put the seeds in the clay loam and cover them with a layer of perlite. They will germinate in the next 10 to 21 days. Once young plants reach 10 cm, you may replant them outside in a sunny spot. They will need less water as they grow, so after a while, you can reduce the watering frequency to avoid damaging the roots.
Also, sage is sensitive to low temperatures. If you keep it in pots or containers, you can simply bring it indoors. Otherwise, you should replant it in the pot.
Coriander
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), also known as cilantro and Chinese parsley, is an annual, short-lived herb. Nonetheless, its citrusy flavour and multiple uses in cuisines all across the globe make it a worthy addition to any herb garden. It has distinct feathery leaves and small white flowers.
Growing coriander is pretty straightforward. You can sow the seeds from March until September directly in the garden soil, which should be damp and well-drained. In those conditions, seeds will germinate in 7-14 days. Coriander likes a lot of sunlight but is sensitive to high temperatures, so consider sowing the seeds in a cool, lightly shaded part of your garden.
Parsley
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a popular culinary herb with a distinct aroma that enriches dishes from Middle Eastern and Italian to British cuisine. It is a biennial plant with feathery leaves similar to coriander and peppery, a bit earthy flavour.
To prepare parsley for its garden life, start by soaking the seeds for 24-48 hours in lukewarm water, then sowing seeds in the soil mixed with organic compost. The best time to plant the parsley is in April. Growing this herb takes a bit of patience since it may take 10 to 28, sometimes even 30 days to germinate. Still, soaking seeds should speed up the process.
You can harvest the herb from June to October. To ensure it lasts as long as possible, snip off the springs once the plant reaches 10 cm.
Dill
Dill (Anethum graveolens), native to southeast Europe and the Mediterranean, is best known as a seafood and soup seasoning. Its small yellow flowers and thin, finely divided leaves add decorative value to the garden. Dill can be both an annual or biennial herb and it is easy to grow from seeds
Its sowing time is from April to July, and the process is simple. Sow the seeds directly into the ground, keep it moist, yet make sure the plant receives plenty of warmth. They should germinate in 7-20 days. Slightly acidic soil will help them sprout. You may plant the seeds every 2-4 weeks during sowing season. Additionally, to encourage the herb to self-seed, let a few flowers dry on the plant.
Pluck the leaves as required, yet be careful not to over-harvest the plant because this may slow down or stop its growth.
Thyme
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has numerous uses – both culinary and medicinal. Meals from roasted chicken to grilled vegetables are often accompanied by its peppery and sweet aroma, and it is often used in making soothing essential oils or tea. It grows in shrubs and its petite purple or pink flowers are especially attractive for the bees.
Thyme is one of the herbs that doesn’t ask for much, yet offers a lot—you can harvest it all year round. To do so, sow the seeds in the early spring (from March to April) in the sieved compost at 18℃. Germination takes around 14 days. Once young plants are established and the risk of frost has passed, replant them in free-draining soil and water them less frequently. Thyme thrives in hot conditions, so place it in a warmer part of the garden where it can receive a lot of sunlight.
You can also encourage its growth by trimming it lightly once its blossom falls off.
Lemon balm
The citrusy, fresh fragrance of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) made this plant a popular choice when it comes to herb gardens. Many culinary experts use it fresh to enhance the taste of their sauces and desserts, while dry lemon balm is most commonly used in tea. Its wrinkly leaves resemble the sage, yet you will recognize it easily thanks to the lemony scent and vibrant green foliage.
The best sowing time for lemon balm is March. The seeds should be planted in moist, well-drained soil, and they will germinate in about 20 days. When they sprout, you should separate the plants into pots and wait until April to replant them in the garden. Lemon balm likes partial shade and regular watering. In those conditions, it will spread quickly, so it is better to grow it in pots or containers.
When harvesting, make sure to cut off leaves near the base.
Oregano
An essential seasoning in every Mediterranean dish, oregano (Origanum vulgare) found its way to the hearts of herb enthusiasts all across the globe. Its strong scent and flavour make it a prized plant in the medicinal sense since many people use it to help fight viruses and digestion issues. Oregano is a perennial herb that grows in shrubs, filled with smooth, vibrant green leaves and purple flower buds.
It will grow effortlessly in bright parts of the garden. Just sow the seeds between February and March in moist soil and wait 20 days until they germinate. When they sprout, it is time to replant them in the garden. To avoid overwatering, it is best to plant them in clay pots, near the wall, or any other place that dries fast.
