Herbs are wonderful plants to grow in any garden. Whether you have a large plot or just a window box, herbs will grow just about anywhere and are easy to care for. A great plant for beginners and experts alike, there’s little wonder so many gardeners love growing herbs.
Of course, the most popular way to use your herbs is to simply snip them and add to recipes to enhance the flavour of your dishes. But there are lots of other ways to use your herbs. If you have a surplus of your favourite herbs why not try some of these ideas?
Herbal tea
Create a soothing drink by steeping herb leaves in hot water. Allow to stand for up to 15 minutes, then sieve and serve. You can experiment with different herbs to find your favourite flavours. Or research the medicinal properties of each herb to create teas to treat particular ailments – for example, mint can be used to aid digestion while chamomile can help with insomnia.
Potpourri
Make your home smell wonderful by creating a mix of dried herbs. Pick the leaves and flowers of your most fragrant herbs – add some flowers for extra scent, then leave to dry in a warm and dry environment. Stir the mixture occasionally until crisp. A fixative will help maintain the fragrance and you can make your own using orris root. Keep your potpourri in a tightly sealed container for around three weeks, and then scatter into bowls around your home to enjoy the scent.
Herb oil
You probably use olive oil already in your cooking, so why not enhance the flavour by adding herbs from your garden? Add a sprig of your favourite herb to a good-quality olive oil then leave to steep for around a month before straining to remove the herbs, leaving just the deliciously flavoured oil behind. For a classic Italian flavour, add basil to olive oil or experiment with your own favourites.
Herb pillow
If you have trouble sleeping, a herb pillow can be used to release a soothing fragrance, helping you drift off. Try lavender, hops or chamomile as these have all been recognised for their sleep-inducing properties.
Herb butters
Make a delicious butter for warm bread or for popping onto hot vegetables using herbs. Let your butter soften at room temperature and then mix in a combination of finely-chopped herbs such as thyme, chives, sage or rosemary. Leave the butter to stand for a day or two to allow the flavours to develop. You can then use the butter, or shape and store in the fridge, ready to add to your cooking whenever you need it.
Natural cleaning sprays
Make an eco-friendly cleaning spray by adding chopped herbs to white vinegar, along with a few citrus peels. The white vinegar has antibacterial and disinfectant properties while the citrus and herbs will add a wonderful fragrance that’s far better than any shop-bought product.
A scented garden
Of course, you don’t even need to pick your herbs to enjoy their wonderful, calming scent. Create an area for relaxation by growing a large number of herbs next to a garden seat and you’ll always have a peaceful (and fragrant) spot to sit and unwind.
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