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Rosemary

Perennial herb in warmer climates. Rosemary has small, extremely aromatic and flavourful leaves that have a distinctive pungent flavour. It produces blue-green needle-like foliage, and small, blue, delicate flowers.

Plant in full sun.

Well drained, even sandy, more dry than moist. Soak when soil dries.

Space .6-1m (2-3') apart.

Grows .6-2m (2-6') in height.

Best in containers. Can also be used in herb and flower gardens.

Requires adequate air circulation. Benefits from cactus soil and perlite. Be sure to plant well after last frost. Feed with slow release fertilizer at time of planting and again in early summer. Very cold tolerant.

Used in Mediterranean dishes, barbecue dishes, stews, vegetables, sauces, marinades and bread. The leaves and the flowers are edible. Rosemary is fragrant and has a delicious taste. Rich in iron, calcium, and vitamin B.

Rubin Basil

Prized for its dark red, leafy stems and pretty pink blooms. This great herb basil has a stronger, spicier flavour than sweet basil and reddish-purple leaves, creating a unique look in salads.

Full sun.

Well drained, rich soil. Water as needed all season to keep soil evenly moist, keeping your eye out for the first sign of wilt. Wilting is a sure sign that your basil needs water.

Space 45cm (18") apart.

Grows 60-75cm (24-30") in height.

Containers, borders, herb and flower beds.

Feed with a vegetable fertilizer to ensure your bountiful harvest. To dry, wait until the flowers begin to open, then cut clusters off and hang them upside down turning periodically until dry.

The flavour of this variety of basil is quite intense, use it sparingly in salads and do not choose this particular variety when a large quantity of basil is needed, such as for making pesto. It is perfect to add to a salad for a splash of color and a burst of flavour. Use dried or fresh.

Lavender

Ornamental herb with aromatic qualities. Used for cosmetics and perfumes. Flowers are borne in whorls. This fragrant plant has gray-green foliage with blue-violet blooms. Durable and drought-resistant.

Plant in full sun.

Prefers well drained but still moist. Water as needed.

Space 45cm (18") apart.

Grows 50-60cm (20-24") in height.

Containers, herb and flower beds.

Avoid planting in soggy areas. Thrives in hot humid climate. Benefits from organic materials such as compost. Avoid soils with high PH balance.

Produces honey. Flowers are typically candied as cake decorations. Used in baked goods, desserts and French cuisine. Sometimes paired with sheep and goat-milk cheeses. Also used for aroma sachets and potpourri. Lavender gives off a beautiful scent.

Lemon Balm

Perennial herb in the mint family. Has a slight lemon scent and flavour. Blooms small white flowers in late summer.

Plant in part shade.

Sandy, well drained soil with low acidity level. Water as needed.

Space 45cm (18") apart.

Grows 60-90cm (24-36") in height.

Containers, herb and flower beds.

Requires consistently moist soil. Water regularly.

Used for flavor in ice cream and herbal teas. Use dried leaves for seasoning.

Mint

Very easy to grow, and will spread readily. The leaves may be a dark green to purple color, often streaked with darker color. Chocolate mint has a strong minty aroma which has a faint hint of chocolate.

Plant in full sun.

Best in fertile, humus-rich well drained soil. Water as needed.

Space 60cm (24") apart.

Grows 60cm (24") in height.

Best in containers, as it spreads quickly. Can be used as an herb ground cover.

Pinch back to keep the plant growing evenly.

Use chocolate mint in desserts; it can be added to sorbets and cakes. Dried leaves can be used for tea.

Oregano

Aromatic perennial herb with oval, dark green when fresh, light green when dried. The herb is stronger dried than fresh. Small white flowers.

Plant in full sun to part shade.

Average, well drained, sandy. Keep soil evenly moist.

Space 45cm (18") apart.

Grows 60cm (24") in height.

Containers, herb and flower beds.

Cut it back several times during the growing season to harvest the leaves from the stems.

Used in Greek and Italian dishes, sauces, pizza, egg dishes, breads and marinades. Soups and salads. Also compliments beef and lamb stews.

Cilantro

An annual or biennial herb. Stemmy, aromatic and flavorful leaves. The seeds are called coriander and have a citrus flavor.

Plant in full sun.

Prefers fertile, well drained but still moist. Keep soil evenly moist.

Space 30-45cm (12-18") apart.

Grows 60cm (24") in height.

Containers, herb and flower beds.

Avoid planting in summer as intense heat causes plant to bolt to seed quickly. Extremely cold hardy.

Used in sauces, salsa, marinades, Latin-American and Asian cuisine. Use fresh, dried leaves tend to loose their flavour.

Catnip

Member of the mint family. Light green in color with a slightly furry texture with scalloped edges on leaves. Small lavender flowers. Scentless to humans but known for its behavioural effects on cats.

Plant in part shade.

Well drained but keep soil evenly moist.

Space 30-45cm (12-18") apart.

Grows 45-90cm (18-36") in height.

Containers, borders, herb and flower beds.

Expose young plants to full sun once sprouted. Do not allow them to dry out.

Used in some teas.

Chamomile

Light green, smooth, multi-branched stems and finely divided, feathery leaves. Flowers are daisy-like, small with a yellow, solitary, central disk and white ray flowers along the edge.

30 to 60 days.

Full sun but tolerant to moderate shade.

Well drained, light soil. Water on regular basis, taking care not to over water.

Space 30-45cm (12-18") apart.

Grows 15-30cm (6-12") in height.

Not recommended for container gardening. Use in gardens and flower beds. Growing to a height of 60cm (24”) or more, it is a good choice for borders and along walkways.

Chamomile is known to attract bees, butterflies or birds and has fragrant blossoms. Prefers cool weather, sow in early spring and again in late summer.

Used to make chamomile tea, and used in medicinal treatments.

Chives

Large, thick-leafed variety that’s better for freezing or drying than regular chives. Mild flavour.

Plant in full sun.

Well drained, nutrient rich soil. Keep soil evenly moist.

Space 20-30cm (8"-12") apart.

Grows 30cm (12") in height.

Containers, herb and flower beds.

Chives thrive in any fast-draining garden loam. Amend soil for growing chives with 2” of good garden compost or composted manure, and improve drainage in clay soils by adding coarse sand, perlite, or fine gravel or lava rock.

Snip leaves and chop finely to add to soups, salad dressings, scrambled eggs, and pasta dishes. Chop and add to softened butter to put on baked potatoes.

Dill

Dwarf dill with ornamental dark green ferny leaves and bright yellow-green flowers. An improved variety of dill, which is more compact. The big flower heads of dill are one of the best nectar sources for beneficial insects in the garden.

Plant in full sun.

Rich, well-drained soil. Water as needed.

Space 30cm (12") apart.

Grows 45-60cm (18-24") in height.

Containers, herb and flower beds.

Continues to be a favourite for its garden performance and the fact that it offers a lot of foliage. It is also slower to set seed than ordinary dill varieties, which means that you can harvest foliage longer.

As the flowers appear, you can harvest the dill seed for making dill pickles or other dishes calling for dill seed. Dill leaves or seeds are used in the cooking of many cultures around the world.

Lemon Grass

This herb has aromatic grass-like leaves. Produces light gray-green leaves with a lemony scent and flavour. Wispy, white flower heads are an added bonus.

Plant in full sun.

Prefers moist and nutrient rich soil. Water as needed.

Space 60-90cm (24"-36") apart.

Grows 60-90cm (24-36") in height.

Containers, herb and flower beds.

Plant after last frost in spring or in fall. Perennial in zones 8 to 11. Plant where the scent can be enjoyed.

Use leaves and stems in Asian dishes. Fresh leaves lend a lemony taste to foods. Flavour intensifies the longer you cook it. Use lemon grass fresh, dry it, or freeze it.

Parsley

Biennial herb with tightly coiled bright green leaves. Crispy texture and fresh taste.

Plant in part shade.

Prefers well drained, loamy soil, rich in nitrogen. Keeps soil evenly moist.

Space 30cm (12") apart.

Grows 60cm (24") in height.

Containers, borders, herb and flower beds.

Do not cover seeds as exposure to light is necessary for germination. Sow thinly and grow on the dry side.

Used as a garnish. Key ingredient in tabbouleh. Typically used in salads and French cuisine. High source of iron.

Peppermint

A hybrid mint with tall smooth stems, square in cross section. Dark green, aromatic leaves with reddish veins with attractive lilac pink blooms. Leaves and stems are typically slightly hairy.

Full sun, will tolerate some shade.

Well drained, moist but not wet. Water as needed.

Space 30-60cm (12-24") apart.

Grows 30-60cm (12-24") in height.

Best in containers to prevent spreading but can be used in herb and flower beds.

Mint is an aggressive plant, sending runners above and just under the ground. Being a hybrid, it is ususally sterile, producing no seeds.

Typically used as a garnish. Often used for flavouring vinegars or jellies used with meat such as lamb. Also used in teas and desserts.

Sage

Small perennial evergreen subshrub in mint family. Has woody stems and visually interesting patterned gray leaves with attractive blue-lavender flowers blooming in summer.

Plant in full sun.

Light, well drained alkaline soil. Tolerant to dry soil. Keep soil evenly moist.

Space 60cm (24") apart, sage likes room to grow.

Grows 30-90cm (12-36") in height.

Best in containers. Suitable for herb and flower beds.

Sage can become woody as it matures. Replace in the garden every 2 years.

Known for its peppery flavour. Used in marinades for fatty meats, cheeses. Also used as flavouring in beverages, sauces, soups, and sausage. Generally more flavourful fresh than dried. Try sage tea.

Spearmint

Fast growing and widespread herb with either hairy or hairless stems and foliage. Known for its pointed leaf tips. Savoury spearmint flavour.

Plant in partial shade.

Moist, rich well-drained soil. Keep soil evenly moist.

Space 45cm (18") apart.

Grows 60cm (24") in height.

Spreading plant is best in containers.

Tolerates light frost. Keep plants in check by harvesting the tips regularly and weeding out unwanted stems.

Used for hot and cold beverages such as tea, mojito and lemondade. Also used in soups, salads, as well as compliments to meat dishes. Better used fresh.

Stevia

Called sweet leaf for the very sweet taste of its leaves. Leaves are 20-30 times sweeter than sugar cane. An herb member of the chrysanthemum family that is native to parts of Brazil, where it grows wild as a small shrub.

Plant in full sun.

Moist, rich well-drained soil. Keep soil evenly moist.

Space 45cm (18") apart.

Grows 30cm (12") in height.

Containers, herb and flower beds.

Wait until after all danger of frost is passed before planting.

Use the fresh leaves during the growing season to sweeten tea. The sweetness in the leaves is approximately one-fourth as concentrated as the white, powdered stevia that you buy. When sweetening with powdered leaves, use about 1/8 teaspoon of dried stevia to equal the sweetness of 1 teaspoon of sugar.

Tarragon

Strongly aromatic and flavourful, dark-green leaves, small white flowers. Anise flavoured leaves.

Plant in partial shade.

Well drained, nutrient rich soil, on the dry side. Allow soil to dry between waterings.

Space 30-40cm (12-15") apart.

Grows 60-90cm (24-36") in height.

Herb garden or other sunny bed; planted more for flavour than aesthetic use.

French tarragon spreads to make a mass of stems and works well in containers where it will not trail, but spill over the edge of a pot. Also likes the drainage pots provide. Containers help keep the foliage dry, too, which really helps in humid climates. Cold hardy to zone 4.

A traditional seasoning with eggs, poultry, salads, cheese, and fish.

Thyme

Aromatic low growing herb that can sometimes become woody. Typically grows as a sub-shrub. Blooms white-yellow flowers.

Plant in full sun.

Well drained, rich soil. Keep soil evenly moist.

Space 30cm (12") apart.

Grows 30-40cm (12-15") in height.

Containers, borders, herb and flower beds.

Avoid soggy soil as it will rot the plant. Avoid over-nursing as it will make the plant less hardy.

When in doubt, use thyme. Used in eggs, cheeses, sauces, stews, stuffings, meats and poultry. Also used in soups and salads.

Tomato

Beefsteak Red, Better Boy, Biltmore, Brandywine, Celebrity, Early Girl, Fantastico, Husky Cherry Red, La Roma, Lemon Boy, Rutgers, San Marzano, Super Sweet 100, Sweet Million, Tidy Treat, Yellow Pear

Refer to plant care tag for details.

Plant in full sun.

Well drained, moist soil. A time release fertilizer is recommended with a pH of 5.5 to 7. Water as needed.

Refer to plant care tag for details.

Refer to plant care tag for details.

Vegetable garden or raised garden beds.

Planting depth: bury 2/3 of the plant. Plant tomatoes after threats of frost have passed. Plant your tomatoes quite deep into the ground. The deeper you root your plants, the stronger they will be as they grow. Tomatoes thrive best when they are grown around chives, onions, parsley, marigolds, nasturtiums, carrots or garlic. Avoid planting tomato plants by cabbages and the potato family.

Sandwiches, especially when you need a thick, juicy slice. Also can be used for cooking or freezing.

Peppers

Baron Red Bell, Cajun Bell, Cal Wonder, Carmen, Cayenne, El Jefe, Flavorburst, Habanero, Hungarian Hot, Hungarian Sweet, Orange Blaze, Super Shepherd

Refer to plant care tag for details.

Plant in full sun.

Well drained. Prepare your soil with compost, manure and a fertilizer with a pH of 5.6 to 7.5. Well drained soil is very important. Avoid planting in compact soil. Water as needed.

Refer to plant care tag for details.

Refer to plant care tag for details.

Vegetable gardens or raised beds.

Plants thrive in weather temperatures of 60F (15C) and higher. Be careful of frost in the morning and evening. Cover your plants accordingly. Average water needs, water regularly but do not overwater. Mulching in raised beds and floating row covers can be an advantage to help young plants stay warm in the early spring where the weather is cool. Mulching also helps control the weeds. Make sure your watering is consistent. If watering pattern is irregular, it can harm and affect the plant’s ability to harbour fruit.

Baron is excellent for eating fresh, roasting, stuffing and grilling.

Beets

Heirloom variety with bright burgundy foliage and tender, round roots.

Refer to plant care tag for details.

Plant in full sun.

As a root crop, beets thrive in rich, well-worked loam, fed with compost, deeply dug or tilled.

Refer to plant care tag for details.

Refer to plant care tag for details.

Vegetable gardens, raised garden beds.

Avoid any risk of frost. Fertilize regularly for best results. Water as needed.

An excellent addition to salads, pickled beets or cooked vegetables.

Broccoli

Compact plant produces flavourful dark green heads on solid stems. Used primarily for extra early crown cuts in late spring or early summer. Uniform, medium green, deep domed heads with small, tight beads. Offers good heat tolerance as well as cold vigor.

Refer to plant care tag for details.

Plant in full sun.

It is important to have soil rich in organic matter. Grows best with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0, the pH level helps prevent club root disease.

Refer to plant care tag for details.

Refer to plant care tag for details.

Vegetable gardens and raised garden beds.

Broccoli grows best in cooler temperatures, between 18 to 26 degrees celsius. Avoid pest problems by keeping your garden clean.

Rich in vitamins. Use in soups, salads, side dishes, quiche, stir fry and as a garnish. Great snack with dip.