Published
July 15, 2024
Author
The Searles Gardening Team
In Australia, winter doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to the fresh herbs that can transform your cooking. You can cultivate a variety of herbs that not only withstand the cooler months but also bring vibrant flavours to your favourite dishes. Here’s a guide to some winter-hardy herbs and the essential products you'll need for a flourishing kitchen garden.
Enhance your winter meals with these versatile herbs, each bringing its unique flavour to classic dishes:
Chamomile: Make a soothing tea to warm up chilly evenings or add to a honey chamomile cake for a subtly sweet dessert.
Cress: Sprinkle over creamy pumpkin soup for a peppery contrast.
Dill: Incorporate into a warm potato salad with mustard dressing to accompany roasted meats.
Endives: Use to add bitterness to a warm beetroot and goat cheese salad.
Garlic Bulbs: Indispensable in winter recipes, from hearty garlic roasted chicken to rich and warming garlic mushroom risotto.
Lavender: Infuse a touch of floral flavour into a cozy lavender hot chocolate.
Lemon Balm: Blend into a citrusy dressing for a warm grilled vegetable salad.
Marjoram: Add to savoury beef stews or tomato-based sauces for pasta dishes.
Mint: Use in a minted pea and ham hock soup or add a fresh twist to a Middle Eastern Lamb Tagine.
Oregano: Stir into a classic Italian minestrone or sprinkle over a homemade pizza with seasonal toppings.
Parsley: Mix into a hearty shepherd’s pie or garnish a warming seafood chowder.
Rocket (Arugula): Toss in with a roasted pumpkin and pine nut salad dressed in balsamic vinaigrette.
Sage: Pair with brown butter for a delicious sauce over ravioli or use in a traditional sage and pork stuffing.
Spring Onions: Add a fresh bite to a cozy potato leek soup or use as a topping for a savoury baked frittata.
Sorrel: Stir through a slow-cooked lentil stew for a lemony lift.
Thyme: Essential in a classic French onion soup or in a thyme-infused beef pot roast.
To ensure your herbs flourish, consider these gardening essentials:
1. Container Gardening: If group planting use a pot about 40cm, which will accommodate four or five plants spaced evenly around the inside.
2. Potting Mix: Searles Herb and Vegetable Specialty Mix is specifically designed to support the growth of a wide variety of herbs and vegetables, ensuring robust and productive yields.
3. Fertiliser: 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser - Vegetable & Herb is packed with essential nutrients to promote vigorous growth in herb plants, enhancing their flavour profile to enrich your culinary creations.
1. Location: Most herbs require at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. If you're in a particularly cold area, consider placing pots in a sunny spot indoors.
2. Watering: Herbs generally prefer well-drained soil; overwatering can lead to root issues. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
3. Pruning: Regularly harvesting your herbs can encourage new growth, keeping them bushy and productive.
4. Feeding: Incorporating a rich organic fertiliser like the 5 IN 1 range into your gardening routine ensures your herbs get the nutrients they need throughout the winter.
Growing your own herbs during the Australian winter delivers not only the joy of gardening but also the fresh, vibrant flavours that elevate your cooking. With minimal space, some basic gardening supplies, and a little care, you can harvest a wide range of herbs that bring life to your winter dishes. Enjoy the satisfaction of stepping into your garden to gather ingredients, knowing you’re adding the freshest flavours to your culinary creations.
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