Herb your enthusiasm

Spring is the season to plant herbs. Quick to grow and full of flavour, Spring is the season to plant herbs. they’ll brighten up your garden and your cooking. Whether in a pot, patch or planter box, herbs like basil, rosemary and dill attract pollinators, boost your vegie beds and turn everyday meals into something special.

Packed with flavour and easy to grow, herbs are a simple way to elevate everyday meals

HOW TO GROW IT

BASIL

Sweet basil is a warm-season annual that’s as rewarding to grow as it is to eat. Sow seeds in September once the soil warms or start them indoors earlier if you're in a cooler zone. Basil also strikes easily from cuttings. Keep plants well watered, and pinch back stems to encourage lush, leafy growth. For the best flavour, harvest full stems – not just a few leaves – and this will also help stimulate new shoots from below. Basil thrives alongside tomatoes, helping to repel pests and attract pollinators. Before the cold sets in, pick the last of the crop and freeze into ice cubes, or dry the leaves to enjoy all year.

 

ITALIAN PARSLEY

This versatile herb thrives in a sunny spot with rich, well- drained soil. Italian parsley is typically grown from seed, though it can take a few weeks to sprout, so patience is key. Keep plants looking lush by harvesting regularly and removing any flower stalks that appear. It grows well in pots or garden beds and can be picked fresh year-round in most climates. Perfect for garnishing dishes, adding to your salads or mixing into sauces like salsa verde or chimichurri.

 

CHIVES

With mild onion-flavoured leaves and edible purple blooms, chives are a cheerful and practical addition to any herb patch. They thrive in full sun and rich, moist soil, growing in tidy clumps that come back year after year. Snip stems often to promote fresh growth or let them flower to attract pollinators. Scatter chopped leaves over baked potatoes, omelettes, soups or salads for a subtle savoury kick. They pair well with herbs like parsley, tarragon and dill.

 

ROSEMARY

Fragrant and hardy, this Mediterranean herb thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a reliable choice for low-maintenance gardens. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and long-lived, needing only a light prune after flowering to stay bushy and productive. The strongly aromatic leaves are perfect for flavouring roast meats, potatoes, breads and oils. Plant it alongside thyme, sage and oregano for a classic Mediterranean mix.



 

More herbs to plant now

CHERVIL

A delicate herb with a mild anise flavour. Sow in part shade and harvest fresh.

DILL

A feathery herb with a subtle aniseed flavour. Sow in sun or part shade.

ROCKET

Easy to grow and packed with peppery flavour. Pick often to stop it bolting.

SPEARMINT

Best grown in a pot to contain it. Use the leaves in salads, drinks and desserts.