As you sow, so shall you reap – Herb garden tips from the Mouse House

It’s no secret that adding herbs to your favourite dishes makes all the difference to the taste, and fresh herbs offer better flavour than store bought items, but many of us shy away from creating our own herb gardens because we think it’s more difficult than it really is. Planting your own herb garden couldn’t be easier with these tips from Granny Mouse Country House & Spa’s Garden Manager, Mark Robson.

According to Robson, “there are a number of simple factors that you need to consider before planting your herb garden, including how much sunlight the herbs will get every day, the provision of good potting soil or fertilizer if you are planting the herbs in your garden, as well as whether the pots you intend to use offer suitable drainage of excess water.”

Robson suggests that if you are a herb virgin, that you first try your hand at planting Basil or Chives, as these are easy herbs to grow. They sprout quickly and are largely sturdy regardless of the conditions.

Although planting herbs in pots is often easier if you have limited space or if you have an indoor planting requirement, Robson suggests planting the herbs at ground level, as this will yield better results, and does not require a large space.

Here are Robson’s tips for four different, easy to grow herbs:

• Basil: Plant Basil in an area that receives a lot of sun and where the soil drains well. Beware of insects, as they love Basil as much as we do! Remember when pruning Basil, you need to prune from the top down.

• Chives: Chives need little care, but enjoy lots of sunshine. They can be harvested every thirty days by cutting the leaves down to the base, where they will happily flourish again.

• Mint: Considered a bit of a creeper, mint needs space to spread, which is why planting Mint in a pot is often easier. Ensure that you keep the soil moist at all times, otherwise your mint will start to dry out.

• Parsley: A hardy herb that can survive frost and often lives through winter, Parsley requires partial sun and moist soil to flourish.

With these easy tips on hand, starting your own herb garden couldn’t be easier! Remember that if you spend valuable time in your garden, you will definitely reap the beneficial rewards later – as the Proverb goes – “As you sow, so shall you reap!”