Herbs
Herbs are timeless. Their popularity has survived hundreds of years and they are as much in demand today as ever.
Putting it Together
The herb garden can be formal as in a knot garden, a circular bed with an ornamental centrepiece, or as informal as a rockery. Herbs can be informally planted throughout the garden, mixed in with vegetables, or the flower border and even between paving stones. 
The smallest living spaces can accommodate a few herbs in pots on a windowsill, the porch steps, a window box or in a hanging basket. The following is a selection of edible herbs to get you started, to enhance flavour and aid digestion.
Culinary Herbs for Dry Places
Basil: Traditionally used in Italian cooking. Spicy and pungent, it is delicious with tomatoes, vegetables, pasta and salads.
Coriander: Scatter seed where you wish it to grow. Self-seeds freely.
Dill: Delicate anise flavoured leaves that combine well with fish and vegetables. The seeds can be used in pickles and breads.
Garlic: The pungent aroma enhances many styles of cuisine. Well known in French and Mediterranean cooking, it also has remarkable medicinal properties.
Marjoram: Traditionally used in mixed herbs. Good addition for savoury dishes, tomatoes, meats.
Oregano: Similar to marjoram. Add to pasta, pizza, tomatoes, meats, dressings.
Sage: Traditionally used for meat stuffings. Good for drying.
Tarragon (French): Good accompaniment to chicken, fish, and vegetable dishes and herb vinegar.
Thyme: Garden and Lemon thyme are invaluable additions to savoury dishes, meat dishes, soups, salads, vegetables and baking. There are many other ornamental varieties.
Culinary Herbs for Damp Places
Chives: Delicate onion flavour used in savoury dishes, salads and as a garnish for soup.
Chervil: Delicate aniseed flavour good for enhancing fish and egg dishes. Coriander. Spicy and intense, invaluable for curry dishes.
Fennel: Delicious flavour for fish or meats—raw or braised
Mint: Used traditionally with potatoes, peas, lamb. Also refreshing in salads and as a garnish for fruits and summer drinks.
Parsley: Its refreshing flavour is widely used in savoury sauces, meat dishes, soups, salads, baking and garnishes 
Site, Soil and Planting
Dry tolerant herbs require a sunny position with well drained soil. Herbs requiring damp conditions will grow in sun or semi shade. Work Tui General Garden fertiliser into the soil prior to planting.The addition of compost prior to planting will also be beneficial.
When to Plant Herbs
When putting a herb garden together it may be difficult to buy all the plants at one time as many are seasonal and only available at certain times. Planting can be done whenever plants are available provided regular watering is carried out in summer.
Herbs with Other Uses
There are many other herbs for many purposes. Listed below are a few examples.
Teas
Ornamental
- Basil, purple* – a striking colour contrast
- Catmint – misty lavender flowers
- Curry Plant – silver leaves, rich scent
- Hyssop – ideal for low hedges
- Savoury – fragrant evergreen, ideal for edgings.
Lawns of delicious fragrance
*These herbs require replanting with new plants each year. Note: Borage will self seed very freely.
After Care
Trim after flowering to keep compact, bushy and to encourage new growth. Water as required in summer. Mulch in early spring and autumn. Feed with Tui General Garden Fertilser in early spring. 
Harvesting
Pick leaves in the morning after dew has evaporated, and flowers at midday.
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