Your Herb-filled Summer - 5 herbs no kitchen should be without

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Summer is finally here! And with it come warm, sunny days and the joys of gardening. At Promutuel Insurance, our agricultural roots run deep and our green thumbs start tingling every time summer rolls around. That’s why we’ve decided to explore one of our favourite subjects—garden herbs.

We’ve put together a series of four simple yet inspiring articles on herbs to give you some great ideas for your herb gardens, from planting tips to food pairings. So without further ado, here’s the first article. Happy reading!

5 herbs no kitchen should be without

There are so many different kinds of herbs out there, but here are the five we like to grow at home rather than get from the grocery store.

Basil


unsplash-logoStephanie Studer

Basil just smells great—it freshens up the kitchen and enhances any dish. It’s by far our favourite of the classic herbs.

Did you know?

  • Grows up to 25 in. high
  • Repels mosquitoes (!!!)
  • Requires rich soil and lots of sunlight
  • Grows well in pots and planters
  • Makes a good companion plant for tomatoes

Cilantro


unsplash-logoLindsay Moe

Cilantro is known for its strong flavour that can easily overpower a dish. But used right, it will make your meals sing.

Did you know?

  • Grows up to 18 in. high
  • Requires well-drained soil
  • Produces beautiful pinkish white flowers
  • Used to be used to preserve meat

Dill


unsplash-logoPriscilla Du Preez

Dill is a versatile herb with a fragrant aroma that can be used from tip to toe—its seeds, leaves, and even its flowers are edible.

Did you know?

  • Grows up to 35 in. high
  • Requires moist but well-drained soil
  • Should be harvested when in flower
  • Produces edible yellow flowers that taste like anise
  • Attracts bees with its umbrella-shaped flowers

Mint


unsplash-logoFrancesca Hotchin

Lots of people love mint. This herb is the perfect thing to freshen up a meal or add to a cocktail on a hot summer day!

Did you know?

  • Grows up to 35 in. high
  • Must be watered frequently (2–3 times a week)
  • Does well in both sun and shade
  • Spreads very easily in the garden
  • Produces pretty white or purple flowers

Oregano


unsplash-logoAlbert Melu

Oregano is used extensively in Mediterranean dishes. Enjoy it fresh or use it dry (or frozen) to liven up your winter meals.

Did you know?

  • Grows up to 25 in. high
  • Requires well-drained soil
  • Produces flowers that range from white to purple
  • Strengthens your immune system and helps digestion
  • Is also known as wild marjoram

    • So there you have it—the five herbs we simply can’t do without. Of course, you can round out this selection with your choice of other delicious favourites, such as rosemary, thyme, parsley, and chives. After all, the great thing about an herb garden is you can grow a variety of flavourful plants.

    Stay tuned for our second article on herbs, “ 5 Key Steps to Growing Amazing Herbs,”coming soon!