Club50! - for the over 50's
Herb Directory: Angelica to Dill
| ANGELICA | TYPE: BIENNIAL | HEIGHT: 1.8M (6ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant container-grown herb in partial shade at back of bed. Transplant seedlings growing around parent plant. |
| SUMMER: | Cut off flower heads as they appear. Leave one or two to set to seed. Sow ripe seed in Aug. in seed bed or boxes outdoors. |
| AUTUMN: | Clear old flowering stems and dead leaves. |
| WINTER: | Plant will die right down. In 2nd winter, after flowering, plant dies. |
| USES: | Candied young stems as flavouring. Young leaves in poached fish and rhubarb jam. Seeds to flavour custard and tea for feverish cold. |
| ANISE | TYPE: ANNUAL | HEIGHT: 60cm (2ft) |
| SPRING: | Sow seeds where plants are to flower in sunny position. Thin seedlings 15-20cm (6-8 in) apart. |
| SUMMER: | Keep soil round plants free of weeds. Gather seed when fully ripe in late summer. |
| AUTUMN: | Once seed is harvested remove old plants. |
| WINTER: | Plant will die right down. In 2nd winter, after flowering, plant dies. |
| USES: | Seed in soups and stews, cakes, bread and pastries. Seed tea for indigestion and dry cough. |
| BASIL | TYPE: ANNUAL | HEIGHT: 60cm (2ft) |
| SPRING: | Sow seed in warm area, indoors or under glass. Prick out seedlings into pots. Keep pots in greenhouse or indoors. |
| SUMMER: | Plant seedlings 15-20cm (6-8 in) apart in sunny, sheltered position. Pinch out flowers as they appear until end of season. Leave some to set seed. |
| AUTUMN: | In late Autumn pull up plants and keep any seed for next year's plants. |
| WINTER: | |
| USES: | Leaves in tomato dishes, with minced beef and sausages. Small amount in butter sauces on peas and boiled potatoes. |
| BAY | TYPE: EVERGREEN | HEIGHT: 12M (40ft) |
| SPRING: | Between March and May plant container-grown Bay in sunny sheltered position in herb bed or plant in tub or pot for the patio or terrace. |
| SUMMER: | Pick leaves from established plants. |
| AUTUMN: | Aug-Sept take stem cuttings. |
| WINTER: | Bay in pots or tubs can be brought indoors for winter. |
| USES: | Leaves in meat casseroles and, in stuffing. Add to water, when boiling rice or spaghetti. In pickles and chutneys, bouquet garni, rice pudding. |
| BERGAMOT | TYPE: BIENNIAL | HEIGHT: 1.8M (6ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant container-grown herb in partial shade at back of bed. Transplant seedlings growing around parent plant. |
| SUMMER: | Cut off flower heads as they appear. Leave one or two to set to seed. Sow ripe seed in Aug. in seed bed or boxes outdoors. |
| AUTUMN: | Clear old flowering stems and dead leaves. |
| WINTER: | Plant will die right down. In 2nd winter, after flowering, plant dies. |
| USES: | Candied young stems as flavouring. Young leaves in poached fish and rhubarb jam. Seeds to flavour custard and tea for feverish cold. |
| BORAGE | TYPE: ANNUAL | HEIGHT: 90cm (3ft) |
| SPRING: | In April sow seed where plants are to flower in sunny position. |
| SUMMER: | Thin seedlings to 20cm (10 in) apart. Harvest flowers. |
| AUTUMN: | Continue harvesting flowers. |
| WINTER: | Dig up old plants. |
| USES: | Young leaves and flowers in, salads, summer drinks. Leaves with tomatoes, cucumber. Candied flowers as cake decoration. |
| CAMPHOR | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 75cm (2ft 6in) |
| SPRING: | In March buy container-grown herb and place in sunny position. |
| SUMMER: | Flowers in bloom. When fully open cut off long stems for drying. Take rooted pieces from base of plant to increase stock. |
| AUTUMN: | In October buy container grown herb and place in sunny position. |
| WINTER: | Will die right down. Cutback old woody stems. |
| USES: | Fresh or dried in flower arrangements. Dried leaves are moth deterrent. |
| CARAWAY | TYPE: BIENNIAL | HEIGHT: 60cm (2ft) |
| SPRING: | Sow seed where plants are to grow in a sunny position. Thin seedlings to 25cm (10 in) apart. |
| SUMMER: | Cover seed heads with muslin. |
| AUTUMN: | Sow seed where plants are to grow in a sunny position. Gather seed heads for drying. |
| WINTER: | Dry seeds. |
| USES: | Seed in soups with meat, cabbage, cauliflower, beetroot. Add to cakes, biscuits, apple pie. Seed tea for indigestion. |
| CHAMOMILE | TYPE: ANNUAL | HEIGHT: 30cm (1ft) |
| SPRING: | In early spring sow annual seed where it is to flower in sunny position. Sow perennial seed in boxes. |
| SUMMER: | Thin seedlings to 15cm (6 in) apart. Transplant perennial seedlings to open ground. Pick flowers of annual when open. |
| AUTUMN: | Annual seed can be sown in growing position and seedlings thinned to 15cm (6 in) apart. Layer runners or divide roots of perennial plants. |
| WINTER: | Remove dead annual plants. |
| USES: | Dried flowers in pot-pourri. Tea for indigestion. Infusion as rinse for blonde hair, to clear the skin, for colds. |
| CHERVIL | TYPE: BI-ANNUAL | HEIGHT: 30cm (1ft) |
| SPRING: | Sow seed in partial shade. |
| SUMMER: | Make successive sowings throughout summer. Leave flowers on some plants to set seed and self sow. |
| AUTUMN: | Early autumn sow seed in sunny position. Thin seedlings to 30cm (12 in) apart. |
| WINTER: | Remove dead annual plants. |
| USES: | Dried leaves in herb soup. Fresh or dried leaves in salad dressings, salads, soufflé, sauces. |
| CHIVES | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 25cm (10in) |
| SPRING: | Buy herb and plant bulbs 15cm (6 in) apart in sun or partial shade. Lift and divide established dumps. |
| SUMMER: | Cut off flower heads. Cut leaves for drying. Feed clumps with liquid fertilizer. |
| AUTUMN: | Pot up a clump to take indoors. |
| WINTER: | Plants die down, mark positions. |
| USES: | Fresh or dried leaves in soups, sauces, salads, herb butter, soft cheese, mashed potato, egg and fish dishes. |
| CORIANDER | TYPE: ANNUAL | HEIGHT: 45cm (1ft 6in) |
| SPRING: | In April sow seed where plants are to grow. Thin seedlings to 25cm (10 in) apart. |
| SUMMER: | Tie pieces of muslin over seed heads. |
| AUTUMN: | Remove seed heads for drying. Sow seed where plants are to grow. Thin seedlings to 25cm (10 in) apart. |
| WINTER: | Leave seeds to continue drying. |
| USES: | Chopped fresh leaves in hot spiced sauces. Dried seed in meat stews, pies, in stuffing. Ground seed in biscuits, ginger bread. |
| CUMIN | TYPE: ANNUAL | HEIGHT: 30cm (1ft) |
| SPRING: | In early spring sow seed under glass. Harden off seedlings when 20-25cm (8-10 in) high. |
| SUMMER: | Set plants in warm sheltered position. When seeds are ripe cut down stems for drying. |
| AUTUMN: | Remove old plants. |
| WINTER: | Dry seeds. |
| USES: | Dried seed in leek soup, meat stews, curries, pickles, chutneys. Ground seed in cakes and biscuits. |
| DILL | TYPE: ANNUAL | HEIGHT: 60cm (2ft) |
| SPRING: | Sow seed in sunny sheltered position. |
| SUMMER: | Thin seedlings to 25cm (10 in) apart. Keep plants weed free. Cut off flower heads. Leave some to set seed. |
| AUTUMN: | Early autumn tie muslin over seed heads to protect from birds. |
| WINTER: | Dry seeds. |
| USES: | Fresh or dried leaves in salads, cucumber sauce, cream sauces. Seeds in apple pie, spiced beetroot, cabbage and carrot. |
| FENNEL | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 1.2m (4ft) |
| SPRING: | In April, sow seed in permanent position in sun at back of herb bed. |
| SUMMER: | Thin seedlings to 30cm (12 in) apart. Cut off flowers. Earth up bulbous fennel. Harvest as required. |
| AUTUMN: | In October, buy container grown herb and place in sunny position. |
| WINTER: | Will die right down. Cutback old woody stems. |
| USES: | Fresh or dried in flower arrangements. Dried leaves are moth deterrent. |
| GARLIC | TYPE: ANNUAL | HEIGHT: 1.2m (4ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant bulbs (cloves) from mature herb in sunny position. Space 15cm (6 in) apart. |
| SUMMER: | Watch and wait. |
| AUTUMN: | Dig up whole plant to harvest bulbs when stems wilt. |
| WINTER: | Remove tops. Leave bulbs to dry a few more days. Plant dies down. |
| USES: | Savoury dishes, meat, chicken, sauces. Juice in salad dressings. Garlic bread. Ornamental, edging plant. |
| HYSSOP | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 60cm (2ft) |
| SPRING: | Sow seed outdoors in sunny position. |
| SUMMER: | Thin seedlings to 25cm (10in). Take stem cuttings from established plant. |
| AUTUMN: | After flowering cutback the plant to one third of year's winter growth. Reseeds itself. |
| WINTER: | In mild areas stays green all winter. |
| USES: | Ornamental. Flower arrangements. Dried flowers and leaves in pot-pourri. Attracts bees. |
| JACOB'S LADDER | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 75cm (2ft 6in) |
| SPRING: | Plant in sunny shady position. Top dress established plants with compost. |
| SUMMER: | Watch the bees enjoy. |
| AUTUMN: | Plant in sunny shady position. Lift and divide mature plants to increase stock. |
| WINTER: | |
| USES: | Ornamental for flower arrangements. Dried flowers and leaves in pot-pourri. Attracts bees. |
| JUNIPER | TYPE: EVERGREEN | HEIGHT: 3M (10ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant in open sunny position. Buy male and female plants for berries. | |
| SUMMER: | Take cuttings of new shoots. | |
| AUTUMN: | Sprinkle lime round plant when tips of branches are brown. | |
| WINTER: | Pick and dry the berries. | |
| USES: | Ornamental. Dried berries for beef and game dishes. |
| LAVENDER | TYPE: EVERGREEN | HEIGHT: 60cm (2ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant in sunny sheltered position. Can be grown as hedge plant or in containers on terrace. | |
| SUMMER: | In August, take stem cuttings from 2-year-old plants. | |
| AUTUMN: | Trim back stems at end of flowering period. | |
| WINTER: | Protect 1-year-old plants with straw and wire netting. | |
| USES: | Ornamental. Dried flowers in pot-pourri, in lavender bags. Lavender water as skin tonic. Infusion dabbed on for headaches. |
| LEMON BALM | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 90cm (3ft) |
| SPRING: | In March, plant in sunny position. | |
| SUMMER: | Take stem cuttings. | |
| AUTUMN: | Cut back stems to base of plant. Sow seed outdoors in sunny position. Thin seedlings 25cm (10 in) apart. Lift and divide roots to increase stock. | |
| WINTER: | Dies down in winter. In mild winter, new shoots will appear. | |
| USES: | Fresh or dried leaves with chicken, in soups, sauces, salads. In cooling drinks. 'Melissa' tea for indigestion. Juice of leaves for bites. Dried leaves in pot-pourri. |
| LOVAGE | TYPE: PERENNIAL | HEIGHT: 1.8M (6ft) |
| SPRING: | Plant seedlings from autumn sowing in sunny spot 60cm (2 ft) apart. | |
| SUMMER: | Cut off flower heads as they appear. | |
| AUTUMN: | In September, sow fresh seed in pots or boxes. Cover with wire netting. Leave outside in sheltered place. | |
| WINTER: | Plant dies down in winter. Remove old flowering stems and dead leaves. | |
| USES: | Fresh or dried leaves as herb soup. Add to meat dishes in salads, with haricot beans, baked or boiled ham. |
