Herbs and Spices

As more interesting and exotic herbs from various cultures enter into the mainstream gardening world, there is often confusion in respect to the names and identities of the plants in question. One such plant is Tulsi, also confusingly referred to

Mints (Mentha) are deliciously aromatic perennial plants that are widely grown and distributed around the world. There are believed to be over 30 species of mint, but there are probably many more because of their tendency to interbreed. The more

Parsley can be a bit ubiquitous. It turns up as a garnish on all manner of dishes from salads to steaks and everything in between. But don’t write it off… parsley is incredibly good for you (not to mention being

Once prized for their antiseptic and medicinal properties, marjoram and oregano and now fairly common in Australian kitchens and gardens and with good reason. They are both easy to grow, gorgeous to look at and incredibly tasty. Oregano, due to

For anyone who loves Asian, or Asian-inspired cooking, coriander is an absolute must have in your patch. This fast growing annual, with a head a bit like Italian parsley, is an awesome backyard buddy.

Tasty, good-looking, versatile and tough as boots, thyme has got to be one of the easiest culinary herbs around. Prized for its antiseptic qualities (try thyme tea for a chest cold, you’ll be amazed), thyme is an excellent plant for

(Syn Cardamom) Elettaria cardamomum With the perfect microclimate you may get fruit setting but it is unlikely to set seed in Melbourne, however, the leaves have the same flavour – great for wrapping up fish, adding to a rice pudding

Gotu Kola, (Centella asiaticum) is a tiny leafed low growing plant has been called the ‘Elixir of Life’. This ground cover herb, also known as the arthritis plant, has been used by the Sinhalese and other people of India who