There is not a lot going on in the kitchen garden at the moment as, although the sun has been shining, the wind has been cold, and I'm not risking planting out just yet as we have been having heavy frosts. But the best thing about this time of year, is that the herb garden is coming into its own and there is a lot of new growth on the mints, chives and thyme.
This is my small herb garden, which features a sink sunk into the ground filled with oregano, variegated sage and chives, surrounded by pots of thyme and mint and parsley. But I grow herbs dotted about the garden as well - I can't get enough of them and when they flower the bees love them.
This Apple Mint is grown in a flower border and the foliage looks wonderfully green and fresh at the moment.
The Eau de Cologne Mint is grown free-range in this border and brings a unity to it with its grey-green foliage which spreads in and around the other plants. I know you are meant to keep Mint in check by keeping it in pots, but I have broken the rules in this case, and it doesn't seem to cause any problems and is easily dug out and removed.
The Peppermint looks healthy and glossy leaved and is the one I use for Mint tea, clipping it regularly keeps it bushy with plenty of new leaves.
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| spearmint |
The other two Mints that I have are Spearmint which I use for Mint Sauce and adding to new potatoes and
Chocolate Mint which is used in desserts.
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| Chocolate Mint |
I was going to go out this morning and photograph all the different Thymes that I have, but this will have to wait for another post, as it is pouring with rain at the moment.
Do you have many herbs in your garden - are there any that I have not mentioned that you think are worth growing?
I don't grow many herbs, perhaps it's because I don't use many in cooking. I really should remedy this, I keep seeing lots of posts about herbs on blogs and they whet my appetite. This might just be the year that I bite the bullet, so to speak.
ReplyDeletePouring here too.
ReplyDeleteOur mint beds needs sorting out but I had hoped to have done this by now so it may have to wait til next year.
I've got a bathtub just by the back door filled with mint which is lovely for potatoes and salads all summer. I've tried lots of different thymes but don't think you can beat the plain one for flavour. Rosemary's the other thing I can't live without. xx
ReplyDeleteIt well worthwhile growing plenty of herbs like this. I grow them for looks rather than eating.
ReplyDeleteI've got rosemary, fennel, borage, lemon balm, lavender and was recently given some lovage. Flighty xx
I like to grow herbs.Even if you dont like to add them to food some of them are such beautiful plants.Is anything prettier than the chives when they are in flower?
ReplyDeleteCouldn't get enough mint & parsley last year so am growing lots this time round. We put them in everything (well my creative cook husband does-I'm cateringly challenged.) Not having alot of luck with sage, stubborn seed pack perhaps, but The Creative Cook has it everyday in his sarnies. Have planted calendulas this year as I love the flowers but they're an edible variety for salads which sounds fun & colourful.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is about a month ahead of mine, which will be wonderful, because I can take your advice, gardening tips and maybe recipes and apply them to my garden. Looking very forward to following your journey. I'm a retired grandma enjoying life. Which for me is art, photography, paper crafts, gardening, music and just feeling very blessed with each new day. Your newest follower, Connie :) Please accept my invitation to visit and hopefully follow my blog, too.
ReplyDeleteWe have had heavy rain for several days too. The Drought Order has worked wonders!
ReplyDeleteDo you eat the Eau de Cologne Mint, or is it purely ornamental?
Your mint are looking lovely-what do you do with the chocolate mint-I’m intrigued...
ReplyDeleteI can smell the mint by looking at your photos. I have mint in a pot buried in the garden, but I also have mint growing hither and yon. I don't mind. I'll be creating a container of herbs outside the kitchen so I can easily access some for cooking, but I also add herbs to the garden.
ReplyDeleteNice blog and an attractive header. Your herbs look fresh and happy. I grow a few herbs mainly Basil both Italian and Thai, Thyme, Lemon balm, Kaffir and a few veggies.
ReplyDeleteIts fun. Regards.
I have a couple of cultivated mints, and wild mint grows everywhere. Very useful, as I use a lot!
ReplyDeleteI grow loads of herbs to use for teas and in cooking they are also useful as companion plants to vegetables. My fave is Lemon Verbena, for tea and that lovely scent as you brush by it in the polytunnel.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great selection of herbs. I'm just starting to get into herbs. Am very jealous of your sunken bath! x
ReplyDeleteI'm relatively new to herb growing but I love using use herbs such as parsley or coriander as a garnish on stews, pasta, casseroles etc. Mint is really refreshing on warm days in cold drinks such as ginger ale, sprite, or mojitos.
ReplyDeleteAnother herb and mint fan here Elaine. I like your little herb area but as you say they are good to grow about the garden. I bought a chocolate mint last month - I put my nose in the pot and came out thinking 'After Eights' without the calories. My favourite mint to date is ginger mint. Look forward to your thyme post when it stops raining :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see all the different mints you grow! I've only grown "regular" mint - whatever that is - and it does spread like a devil in my garden so I can't imagine letting it escape from its pot.
ReplyDeleteI love herbs - growing them, cooking with them, drying them... and even weeding them because the smell is fab!
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered your blog, and have really enjoyed reading your posts. What a great blog! Love the photo of your herb garden. The chocolate mint caught my eye as well. I'll have to look for one. Out of the herbs I have right now, I'm really amazed with the 'Pineapple Sage.' I'll be back to visit.
ReplyDeleteAll the best! :-)
I love the mint tea -it's so refreshing? How do you use the chocolate mint in puddings, Elaine?
ReplyDeleteYour mint plants look lovely. I only wish I knew at the time I was suppose to plant my mint in a container. Now it is spreading all over the place.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness you have a lot of different types of mint! I like the look of the apple and chocolate mints myself but which is your favourite?
ReplyDeleteYou have a great collection of mints. I recently found out that the mint plant I bought from a local gardener was not just mint but in fact basil mint. It tastes like a perfect blend of basil and mint.
ReplyDeleteAnother delicious post Elaine!
ReplyDeleteI shall look out for some of these mint varieties. I have chocolate mint growing in a pot - it really does smell of dark chocolate doesn't it! Two more that I had, but have since lost to bad weather, were Moroccan Mint and Pineapple Mint. You have prompted me to replace them asap!
Also loved your post on vertical gardening. Your strawberry hanging basket looks great. I had one a couple of years ago but it didn't do very well. Can you recommend a variety that I could use this year please?
Jeanne
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