Herbs are an important part of our food here at La Pasera so when we were planning the garden we decided to try and build a functional herb garden close to the house so that they could be harvested and used fresh.
The main herbs we use are: Lemon verbena, thymes, sages, mints, lemon balm, chamomile, chives and oregano, all of which were ideal plants for siting at the front of the house and with in easy reach of the kitchen. We also grow many others but experience has shown they grown better elsewhere: coriander, parsley, basil, dill and rosemary.
As you all know Luis makes some wonderful mosaics and over the past few years we have amassed a good collection of 30 sq cm mosaics which are ideal for stepping stones. Together with a semi-circle sun, we came up with this design for the herb garden. It allows us easy access to the different beds and also gives access to one of the garden taps which also has a small mosaic terrace featuring dragonflies.
The herb garden also has two rhubarb plants, two young peach trees and at the moment a couple of misplaced fuchsias which are still there from when we used the bed as a nursery bed when we first moved here. The herb garden will be re-planted and plants will be moved once the rain ceases. We will also allow a few marigolds to grow as we use the petals infused in oil for various creams and potions.
The main herbs we use are: Lemon verbena, thymes, sages, mints, lemon balm, chamomile, chives and oregano, all of which were ideal plants for siting at the front of the house and with in easy reach of the kitchen. We also grow many others but experience has shown they grown better elsewhere: coriander, parsley, basil, dill and rosemary.
As you all know Luis makes some wonderful mosaics and over the past few years we have amassed a good collection of 30 sq cm mosaics which are ideal for stepping stones. Together with a semi-circle sun, we came up with this design for the herb garden. It allows us easy access to the different beds and also gives access to one of the garden taps which also has a small mosaic terrace featuring dragonflies.
The herb garden also has two rhubarb plants, two young peach trees and at the moment a couple of misplaced fuchsias which are still there from when we used the bed as a nursery bed when we first moved here. The herb garden will be re-planted and plants will be moved once the rain ceases. We will also allow a few marigolds to grow as we use the petals infused in oil for various creams and potions.
It looks wonderful already - I hope you'll post more pictures when all the plants are in full growth :-) Marigold (calendula) petals are also good to eat - I only use them sprinkled on salads, but you can also use them in risottos and egg dishes. They have a sort of peppery taste.
ReplyDeleteThanks we'll try the leaves in a salad, Luis often nibbles them apparently...
DeleteIt looks wonderful Ian. Luis' mosaics will make harvesting a pleasure once everything gets going.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea - Yes we're looking forward to the summer when it should look much different.
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