herbs

Lovage does far more than flavour soup and can replace pesto or stock powder

Most people use lovage only for broth, but it’s a powerful, aromatic herb with far wider kitchen potential. Try it in herb butter, pesto, potatoes, marinades, or as the backbone of a homemade seasoning mix.

5 min read

How St John’s Wort Affects Mood and Health and Why to Watch for Drug Interactions

St John’s wort is best known for supporting mild to moderate depression, but its real-world use requires caution. The biggest concern isn’t typical side effects—it’s potentially serious interactions with many common medicines.

5 min read

Baikal skullcap thrives in drought, rock gardens and slopes yet still flowers freely

Baikal skullcap is a hardy, blue-flowering perennial with a long history in herbal traditions and real value for pollinators. Given sun and well-drained soil, it copes with dry conditions and gradually forms denser clumps.

5 min read

A Small Change in Growing Basil Produced Stronger Stems and Richer Leaves

Give basil more sun, better spacing, and steady moisture and it quickly repays you with sturdier stems, deeper green leaves, and a stronger scent. A few simple tweaks can turn a struggling pot into a thriving plant.

5 min read

How to Harvest Rosemary Properly So It Stays Fragrant and Grows Year-Round

Rosemary can be picked almost year-round, but the way you harvest it determines how well it regrows and how intense its aroma will be. Learn when to cut, how much to take, and the best methods for storing fresh, dried, or frozen sprigs.

5 min read

Homegrown Lovage Is Not Just for Soup

Lovage is a hardy perennial herb with a bold, celery-like flavour and plenty of uses beyond stock and soup. Learn where it thrives, how to propagate it, and how to harvest and use every edible part.

5 min read

Are Your Herbs Dying One Subtle Mistake Is Usually to Blame

A thriving herb garden comes down to sun and, above all, drainage. Waterlogging is the quiet killer that most often causes herbs to fail, especially in pots and window boxes.

5 min read

Two Everyday Kitchen Ingredients That Make Basil Bushier and More Fragrant

Warmth and water alone won’t keep basil thriving for long, especially in pots. Used coffee grounds and crushed eggshells provide gentle, steady nutrition that supports greener, bushier growth and stronger aroma.

5 min read

The perennial that smells like cola and brightens a sunny garden effortlessly

Southernwood is a hardy, low-maintenance perennial herb with finely cut foliage and a distinctive cola-like fragrance. Give it sun and free-draining soil, and it will reward you for years with minimal care.

5 min read

A Fragrant Home and Kitchen and Seven Reasons to Start Growing Herbs Now

Herbs are easy to grow almost anywhere and bring fragrance, flavour and real benefits to your home. Here are seven practical reasons to start growing them right now, from saving money to supporting wildlife.

5 min read