Christmas is the perfect time to bring fresh, homegrown flavour to the table. Whether you’re planning a traditional roast, summer seafood or a relaxed backyard lunch, a handful of herbs picked straight from the garden can make your festive favourites even better.
Here are five easy-to-grow herbs that deserve a place in your garden and on the Christmas menu.
Rosemary
Fragrant rosemary is a Christmas classic. Add whole sprigs to roasted potatoes, lamb, chicken or vegetables, or finely chop the leaves into marinades and herb butter. Rosemary loves a sunny position and well-drained soil. Once established, it handles warm, dry conditions well, making it a great choice for many Australian gardens.
Thyme
Thyme brings a savoury flavour to roast meats, vegetables, stuffing, sauces and marinades. You can add whole sprigs while cooking, then remove the woody stems before serving. Grow thyme in full sun with good drainage, either in the garden or in a pot near the kitchen where it is easy to pick.
Sage
With its earthy flavour, sage works beautifully in stuffing, roast pork, chicken and vegetable dishes. A little goes a long way, so start with a few finely chopped leaves and add more if needed. Sage prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and its soft grey-green foliage also looks lovely in an edible garden.
Mint
Fresh mint is made for an Australian summer Christmas. Add it to salads, chilled drinks, fruit platters, sauces or desserts for a cool burst of flavour. Mint grows vigorously, so planting it in a separate pot can help stop it from spreading through the garden. Keep it well watered during hot weather and give it some protection from harsh afternoon sun.
Parsley
Flat-leaf and curly parsley are both useful additions to the festive feast. Sprinkle freshly chopped leaves over salads, seafood, roast vegetables, sauces and savoury sides just before serving. Parsley grows well in pots or garden beds and performs best with regular watering, particularly during hot and dry weather.
Grow your own Christmas herbs
You don’t need a large backyard to grow fresh herbs. A few well-drained pots placed in a sunny courtyard, balcony or near the kitchen can provide plenty to pick. When planting herbs in containers, use Scotts Osmocote® Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Potting Mix, which is specially formulated for vegetables and herbs growing in pots, planter boxes, raised beds or the garden.
Water your herbs regularly during warm weather, but avoid leaving their roots sitting in water. Once the initial feeding period in the potting mix has finished, apply Scotts Organic Plant Food Concentrate Tomato Veg & Herb according to the label directions to support healthy ongoing growth.
Pick herbs in the morning when possible and harvest only what you need. A quick rinse and gentle pat dry is all it takes to bring fresh, homegrown flavour to your Christmas table.
