Aloe! Never had luck with growing herbs? Don’t let that kale your vibe. If this pandemic has thought us anything it’s this – plants are the way to go and sourdough starters are overrated!
Here are some tips to help you along the way.
ROSEMARY
Rosemary likes soil with good drainage. It also enjoys full sunlight. Water frequently but nobody likes wet feet so allow it to drain well before next watering. Best kept under a roof where it gets light but won’t get drenched under our topical thunderstorms. Over watering rosemary can lead to root rot and then sudden death. Letting the soil get too dry can also kill the plant quickly. The balance between too much water and too little is definitely something that must be patiently mastered. Rosemary is a light feeder so it requires little fertiliser. Use only organic fertilisers (slow-release fertilisers or manure pellets) as the herb is meant for consumption.
For gin lovers, rosemary is an excellent G&T garnish. The herb is a most often distilled with subtlety, so a fresh sprig will really help to bring out the flavour in a herbal gin, but also works perfectly as a garnish to balance particularly orangey gins too. Our recommendation: Gin Mare
BASIL
Basil enjoys the sun but pick a spot that gets morning sun (6 hours at least) as opposed to afternoon scorchers. Make sure your pot has plenty of drainage and that you use high-quality potting soil. Basil doesn't like to be too wet, so you want to keep your soil moist, not soggy. Water as needed (moderately at least once a day), aim for the soil and not the leaves. Harvest the sweet basil by snipping off leaves at the top of the plant. Make the plant bushier and more prolific by trimming it weekly. Choose organic fertilisers and compost to nourish the plant.
Gin lovers (you are our tribe!) here's a smashing link to the aptly named The Basil Smash
MINT
Mint is a great start starter plant if you’re new to growing herbs. Make sure your pot has plenty of drainage and that you use high-quality potting soil. Choose organic fertilisers and compost to nourish the plant. Once it is doing well, frequent cuttings keep the plant full and the leaves strong in flavour.
Once again - gin aficionados - could we possibly interest you in a refreshing cucumber and mint gin cocktail. For this we'd reach for the clean flavours of a Hendricks gin.
THYME
Perfect for our sunny climes as thyme it loves a hot sunny location and always remember to repot into well-draining soil. Give it a thorough watering but wait in between to ensure soil is dry before rewatering again – for beginners you can check this by sticking your finger about an inch into the soil; this will give you a good gauge. The more you trim your thyme, the more it grows. Leave behind at least five inches of growth, so that the plant can still flourish. Regular pruning not only encourages more growth, but also promotes a more rounded shape. Choose organic fertilisers and compost to nourish the plant.
So, gin blossoms if you have thyme on your hands, grab a citrus and make yourself an Orange and Thyme sundowner. The fruity freshness is perfect for our typical humid topical evening. Our recommendation for this is Botanist from the Scottish Isles.
