Want the freshest herbs to elevate your dishes? There’s nothing fresher than growing them yourself. Growing your own herbs may seem daunting, but it’s actually simpler than you think.
Here are some herbs that you can start growing off the bat:
Basil
Commonly used in Italian cooking, such as tomato and cream-based pasta, basil is used to add a kick of flavour to elevate any dish, with its fragrant sweet smell.
Tips for growing basil:
- Basil seeds thrive in well-drained soil as well as in areas with a ton of sunlight. However, in Singapore, where it tends to get very hot in the afternoon, it is best to expose them to the morning or late afternoon sun
- Basil is super sensitive to cold, hence, ensure that the temperature of the soil/ground is at least 21 degree Celsius, which shouldn’t be an issue in Singapore
- Depending on the type of basil, it grows anywhere from 30 to 61 cm in height. Give the plants ample space to grow by spacing them 30 to 41 cm apart
- Always keep the basil plant in an area with good air circulation – keeps them healthy and lessens the risk of mildew
- Regular pruning of the plant is crucial to the plant’s ability to grow into a bushy pattern instead of a tall and lengthy pattern
Where can basil grow?
Basils can grow both indoors and outdoors as long as they get at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
You can buy basil seeds from:
Shopee: https://bit.ly/3hHWqrh
The Garden Store: https://www.thegardenstore.sg/Sweet-Basil-Seeds-HORTI
Lazada: https://bit.ly/3edkDnl
We also forced asked our intern to try growing basil as a challenge. Click here to see how his first gardening experience went!
Rosemary
Rosemary is used as a seasoning in a variety of dishes, adding a hint of lemon-pine, woodsy and peppery flavour. With a fragrance similar to charred wood, it goes best with meats and barbeque dishes.
Tips for growing Rosemary:
- Rosemary grows well in sandy, well-draining soil
- Make sure to not overwater the plant. Preferably, water the plant twice per week
- It requires at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily
- Place the plant in a well-ventilated area with good air circulation to prevent the formation of mildew
Where can Rosemary grow?
In Singapore, rosemary can grow both indoors and outdoors. As these plants thrive in warm, humid environments and cannot take extremely cold temperatures, rosemary may be one of the easiest herbs to grow in Singapore.
You can buy rosemary seeds from:
Shopee: https://bit.ly/2N5je6i
The Garden Store: https://bit.ly/37JEA2z
Plantui: https://plantui.sg/products/rosemary
Parsley
Parsley brightens flavours with its distinctive light scent and fresh, mildly bitter taste, balancing savoury dishes. It also has a secondary purpose of adding colour to dishes making them look more visually appealing.
Tips for growing parsley:
- Parsley flourishes in moist, loamy, and well-turned soil
- Like the rest of the herbs in this list, parsley does well in both full and part sun environments
- Even though parsley does well in moist environments, it is surprisingly drought tolerant, hence, being an easy plant to manage
- Plant your parsley seeds 30 cm apart to give it ample space to grow
Where can Parsley grow?
Parsley is a resilient plant and can grow both indoors and outdoors as long as it is given ample sunlight of at least 6 hours.
You can purchase parsley seeds from:
Shopee: https://bit.ly/37HnGBW
Eco City Hydroponics: https://bit.ly/2zIqyBL
Mint leaves
With its distinctive bright and refreshing taste, mint leaves are commonly used in beverages, such as tea, and various desserts.
Tips for growing mint leaves:
- Mint prefers partial shade; however, it can still grow under a full sun environment
- Choose a spot with moist and well-drained soil
- Plant the mint seeds at least 22 cm apart from each other to provide ample space to grow
- Minimal care is needed for mint, however, be sure to water them regularly to keep soil evenly moist
- Harvest tips regularly to facilitate optimal growth
Where can mint grow?
Mint can grow both indoors and outdoors. If grown indoors, be sure to locate it where it will be able to receive plenty of good morning light.
You can purchase mint seeds from:
Shopee: https://bit.ly/2YOKMSL
The Garden Store: https://www.thegardenstore.sg/Mint-Seeds
Dill
Dill is a very aromatic plant adding a distinctive flavour. It is commonly used as a pickling spice as well as a seasoning to flavour bread and vegetables. It even makes an attractive garnish. Our favourite combination is adding dill to sour cream for that extra touch.
Tips for growing dill:
- Although dill can grow in all types of soil, it prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
- Dill plants need about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day as well as temperatures above 15 degree Celsius to sprout.
- Dill plants grow best under the full sun, hence, placing them near a window or outdoors would be optimal for its growth.
- Removing the developing flowerheads will prolong the supply and flavour of the leaves. Once the dill plant blooms, they would stop growing leaves.
- You may harvest the plant any time they are available, just make sure that you always leave 4 to 5 leaves on the plant.
Where can Dill grow?
Dill is a herb that favours the sun; hence, it can grow both indoors and outdoors if both locations are exposed to the sun during the day.
You can purchase dill seeds from:
Everything Green: https://everythinggreen.sg/products/dill-herb-seeds
Horti.sg: https://horti.sg/product/dill/
Eco City Hydroponics: https://bit.ly/37HnSkE
Thyme
Frequently used to season soups, sauces, and braises, the earthy, lemony, and minty herb blends beautifully with just about anything. It makes a welcome addition to potatoes, rice dishes and even fresh bread.
Tips for growing thyme:
- Plant the thyme in well-drained soil with an optimal pH between 6.0 and 8.0.
- Thyme, like most other plants, requires a growing area with plenty of sunlight.
- Like parsley, most varieties of thyme are drought resistant. This means that you only need to give a thorough watering when the soil is completely dry.
- Thyme is a vigorous grower, make sure to space accordingly, with at least 30 cm between them.
- The more you trim your thyme, the more it grows, promoting a more rounded shape.
Where can thyme grow?
Thyme can in both indoor and outdoor environments with an abundance of sunlight.
You can purchase thyme seeds from:
Shopee: https://bit.ly/3fyAcWX
Horti.sg: https://horti.sg/product/thyme/
The Garden Store: https://bit.ly/2N8cpRp
Oregano
Possessing a strong aromatic, earthy pungent flavour, oregano is commonly combined with olive oil for Italian vinaigrettes and marinates for meats.
Tips for growing oregano:
- Plant the oregano seeds in light, well-drained soil.
- Oregano grows better in moderately fertile soil; hence, no addition of compost is necessary.
- Oregano grows well in part to full sun; however, the flavour of Oregano intensifies when it receives a full day of sunshine.
- Water the oregano plants every 2 to 3 days or when the soil is dry to the touch.
- Space the oregano plants 25 cm apart and make sure the pot or container is 30 cm in diameter as oregano is a prolific grower.
Where can oregano grow?
To attain the best possible result, grow the oregano plants in areas where they can receive the most sunlight.
You can purchase oregano seeds from:
Shopee: https://bit.ly/2YEYTKk
Horti.sg: https://horti.sg/product/oregano/
Curry Leaves
Curry leaves are one of the most aromatic herbs on the planet, with its distinct pungent nutty flavour. Curry leaves are recommended to be fried in oil bringing out its flavour and aroma. We often see them in cereal dishes at our local zi char restaurants.
Tips for growing curry leaves:
- Curry leaves thrive off mildly acidic, moist well-drained soil
- Water the plant lightly every day to maintain the moist consistency of the soil
- This is a plant that would flourish under the full sun
- Curry leaves thrive in the Singapore climate, with its temperature requirements being 20 degree Celsius and higher
- If the plant is not doing as well as you’d expected, prune it by pinching off the dead leaves and branches from the plant
Where can curry leaves grow?
Curry leaves can grow both indoor and outdoor environments as long as it attains a large amount of sunlight throughout the course of the day.
You can purchase curry leaf seeds from:
Carousell: https://sg.carousell.com/q/gardening-107/curry-plant-seeds/
Have you ever tried growing your own herbs and vegetables in Singapore? We hope to have made the idea of growing your own herbs less intimidating and more approachable.
If growing herbs aren’t your thing, NParks is currently distributing seeds to encourage you to grow vegetables at home. You can indicate your interest in the ‘Gardening with Edibles’ initiative here from now until Jun 30th. Have a good thyme gardening!
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