Herbs and Spices
The herbs we use actually belong to different plant groups but as they are used in a similar way they have been grouped together. Many herbs grow well in a sunny spot that is sheltered from extreme weather. Some people grow them in 'sun traps', which are areas that retain warmth or reflect the heat well. This could be a sunny corner of a walled garden of south facing behind a building. The added benefit of stone is that it can retain some of the heat during the day and slowly release some of that warmth at night.
Due to the sheer amount of herbs, their physical structures and culinary uses they are grouped together below. However, these plants could be regrouped infinitely. Plants like ginger will always transcend whatever category boundaries you set. Chamomile and lavender are great for attracting pollinators to the garden.
Fragrant, soft leafy herbs
First up, are the finer leafed, fragrant cut and come again herbs used in a range of cuisines. This group includes basil, caraway, chervil, chives, coriander (cilantro), cumin, dill, fenugreek, lemongrass, lovage marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, savoury and sorrel. These herbs can be grown year round on a sunny windowsill that doesn't get too cold, perhaps with a radiator or fireplace nearby. This way you can cut and come again with your regular herbs. Keep them in small pots to limit the size.
For outdoor planting, start sowing in February undercover in a warm position. You can typically sow for succession until July. Herbs should be ready to be picked from June - September, or October in warmer locations when kept outside. There is a huge range of varieties and cultivars to try so look for herbs that can be used in dishes you enjoy. If you struggle to do this, just think whether you prefer French, Indian, Italian or Mexican etc. and go from there. These plants can be picked fresh, dried, frozen or made into pastes such as a pesto to keep them for longer.
Woody herb plants
Herbs with thick, woody stems or trees are in this category. They can grow large and if not cut back can take over an area of the garden. These include anise, Angelica, agrimony, bay, curry leaf, ginko, lavender, rosemary, sage and thyme. You can find bay leaf and ginko trees in garden centres or online from suppliers as they are harder to grow. Plant these two out from April - September, only pruning between May - July. Bay will produce small flowers around April. Depending on your winter temperature and wind exposure, these plants may need to be undercover over winter. Most people grow them in pots to do so.
For the bushy herbs, sow from March - May and transplant out when the weather and soil warm up. Alternatively you can sow in autumn if your winter is mild enough. The plants will usually flower from March to late spring. Start off the woody herbs like rosemary in pots. Unlike the finer leafed herbs these woody plants will take up much more room, I sow a couple of seeds per pot. Plant out in pots or containers to stop the plants spreading too much. If left unchecked expect plants like sage or rosemary to take a few metres.
Roots
These herbs are grown for their root or tubers for a variety of purposes from medicinal like Ginsing or use in dishes such as ginger. In this category are Ginsing, ginger, horseradish, turmeric and wild garlic. Some people will also put alliums such as garlic, onions and spring onions in this category. These plants are all used for their root bulb or tuber so will need pulling up to harvest.
To grow these plants sow a whole piece either sold to be grown (or left overs at home may do). Cover with around 2 cm (4/5 inch) of compost leaves the 'buds' or 'eyes' exposed to air and water. As many of these are sub-tropical plants they will need to be kept in a warmer and sunnier part of the garden that does not catch frost. If this ins't possible, move indoors during your frost and/or snow period. Wild garlic can be treat the same as chives and spring onions.
Wasabi is a very difficult tuber to grow as its environment is very niche. Wasabi needs soil that is moist all the time, but not waterlogged, shade and temperate climate no colder than 7 and no hotter than 24 degrees.
Teas and infusions
This category is all about the herbs you can use in drinks, teas and infusions. This includes plants like borage, chamomile, elder flower, lavender, lungwort and peppermint. Other herbs such as Ginger and Mint also make a great tea.
Many of these plants prefer lighter soil with good drainage, however, I've found that Borage seems to grow in most places. You can buy seedlings or sow your own seeds in March and April in pots. Cover the seeds with light (peat free) compost a medium like vermiculite as some of these plants require light to germinate.
You can start picking the flowers or leaves from summer to use fresh or dried. Please note that this group contains probably the largest array of different plant types with similar uses so the elder tree will take longer to grow and peppermint is a thin leafed plant rather than a flower like chamomile or borage.
Other uses
Herbs have a range of other uses, such as smells, creating texture in a garden, attracting pollinators and deterring pests. We are looking medicinal and seed collecting. Most herbs do have a variety of medicinal properties and have been used for thousands of years for a variety of ailments. Some of the plants not yet covered are Lavender, Lemon Balm, Liquorice (Licorice in US), Lemon Verbena, St. John's Wart, Tansy, Valerian and Yarrow. Much like the category above there are a wide range of different plants types.
Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena are fine leafed herbs, whereas Lavender is a woody plant. St. John's Wart, Tansy and Yarrow are flowering plants similar to Chamomile and finally, Liquorice and Valerian are used for the root.
Some herbs are used for seed collection including Cardamon and Anise. The seeds are dried and used in a variety of Western and Eastern Asian dishes. These plants can grow large so treat as the woody herbs like Curry Leaf etc. Lastly, if you live in a subtropical climate you may wish to grow a Cinnamon tree, which can be used for the dried leaves and bark. Cinnamon is grown for it's dried product, so it's been included here, however, it is also a spice, a medicine and can be used in teas and infusions.
The last two are flowers. The Vanilla bean comes from a plant in the orchid family and grows well in tropical and sub tropical areas. Saffron, which is the most expensive on this page, grows from a crocus flower and likes a temperature climate. As long as Saffron is protected it can be grown is most climates albeit for the summer. If you are looking for a challenge why not try our last 3 and let us know how you got on, what successes you had and what advice you would give to people try this in your climate type?