Planning the herbs of summer

We’ve spoken before about the types of hearty fresh vegetables that our customers of seeds online have harvested and are enjoying in the steaming casseroles and warming roast dinners of winter. But it only takes a quick look at current cookery programmes to see that many already display the fresh tastes of summer. Perhaps, like fashion magazines, they want to report what you should be doing next season, rather than celebrating what’s happening now. Whilst Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk) think you should take time to enjoy the fruits of your labours we recognise the value of planning ahead. So with that in mind we thought we’d give our loyal buyers of cheap seeds a list of our best-selling herbs.

1.     Mint

An all-round favourite and perhaps the nation’s best loved flavour. From breath-fresheners to deserts; from slow cooked lamb drizzled with mint sauce to sweet-pea and mint salad (we sell top salad seeds online too!); it’s no wonder it’s our best seller.

2.     Comfrey

Comfrey is a favourite of many a gardener. It grows quickly and gives a good crop of leafy vegetation that can be harvested multiple times. It is a fantastic compost activator that helps break down organic matter and, used as a liquid manure, it can produce bumper crops of tomatoes and potatoes that are great summer salad staples. Just don’t put it in the salad itself!

3.     Coriander

With a year-round planting and harvesting season our customers regularly choose it from our selection of herb seeds to add essential flavour to a variety of Mediterranean, Indian, Mexican and Asian dishes. It’s a real taste of summer, fresh, aromatic and a great garnish. It used to be a rarity on these shores years ago. How did we ever do without it?

4.     Basil

Rarely has a herb been so evocative of summer than basil. Pulling a bunch of tender leaves, twisting and bruising them to release their potent aroma, tossing them over light spring salads, stone baked pizzas, and a whole host of fabulous pasta dishes is a staple of Mediterranean cooking. And don’t let their delicate appearance fool you, these guys are actually quite hardy, a bit of sun and not too much water and they’ll keep rewarding you time and again.

5.     Garlic Chives

Also known as Chinese chives, they’re a consistently popular choice with our mail order seeds customers. Fragrant white flowers with slightly broader leaves than regular chives that give a light but satisfying garlic aroma and taste. Great for oriental cooking and dishes where a full hit of traditional garlic can overpower other ingredients.

These are only 5 herbs to get your imagination firing and your taste buds tingling. For further inspiration visit us at Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk)

Editor’s Note: Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.