Belinda Moon loves using fresh herbs and edible plants from her garden, especially because she doesn't have to pay for a huge bunch from a supermarket to only use a few leaves.
The avid gardener and volunteer at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney/Gadigal says she has made the most of a small but sunny courtyard at her home in the inner west.
"I've got citrus [in pots], which I absolutely adore, I've got a lime tree, I've got a lemon tree, I also have a curry leaf tree," she says.
"I grow herbs as well and I can't believe how many things I've really got growing in there."
Many herbs are seasonal, meaning they only last a short time and require replanting if you want an ongoing supply.
But there are some great perennial herbs and edible plants — ones that last at least two years, but many much longer — that require minimal effort to grow and have on hand for your cooking.
Top 5 herbs or edible plants to start growing at home
If you've never tried growing herbs yourself, these are Ms Moon's top five plants for beginners.
Spring is a good time to start, but it's worth checking which of these plants suit your location before planting, as some will do better in certain climates.
- Rosemary
- Mint (in a pot so it doesn't take over the garden)
- Citrus (in a pot)
- Oregano
- Thyme
She says these plants are "very tough" and are a great addition to recipes and salads.
But there are many other perennials that you might like to consider trying.
"Other ones that I think of for Spring are rhubarb and asparagus," she says.
"And then of course, there are the perennial herbs such as marjoram and sage, and they can be planted and harvested over many years."
Brisbane-based horticulturalist Annette McFarlane says if you are growing from seeds check the instructions on the pack to "ensure you are planting them at the correct time depending on where you live".
"Always store your seed packs in the refrigerator," she says.
"It not only helps them to last longer, but the shock of taking the seeds out of the cold and into the warmth when you sow them, increases both the speed and success rate of germination."
Best for bigger pots or spaces
Former sustainability educator Fiona Campbell from Tasmania/Lutruwita says asparagus "needs a lot of room" to grow — like a garden bed.
She says rosemary would benefit from a larger pot or space.
Bay trees are also suited to a big pot, and you can pick the leaves as needed.
She recommends not planting them in the ground, as bay trees can produce new shoots from their roots.
She says for those with a "bit of space" rhubarb and leafy french sorrel are also an option.
Ms Campbell says growing the "bright green of the sorrel and the darker big leaves of the rhubarb" together can create a visually pleasing layering effect in a garden.
Can you plant herbs you buy from the supermarket?
Passionate urban gardener Connie Cao lives in Naarm/Melbourne and eats veggies and herbs almost entirely from her own garden.
She says spring is a good time to start establishing your own herb collection, and spring onions are "a super easy way to start as a beginner gardener".
"Once you buy spring onions once … you pretty much never have to buy [them] again," she says.
Connie grew hers from a supermarket bunch — cutting off the tops (or green parts) and planting the roots in a small pot about 3-5 centimetres apart.
Connie says she has also found lemongrass simple to grow in a pot at home and that hers "pretty much thrives on neglect".
Lemongrass is a tropical plant that's easier to grow in warmer climates and sensitive to frost. Growing plants like this in pots allows you to move them to frost-free areas if you need to.
Ms McFarlane says mint varieties (spearmint, garden mint, Vietnamese mint) are especially easy to grow from the supermarket.
"Plant them into pots or directly into the garden," she says.
"Alternatively, take small tip cuttings and pop them into a glass of water or a small pot until they form roots.
"Just make sure the herbs are fresh and take cuttings soon after purchase as propagating old, limp, supermarket herbs is rarely successful."
She says small potted herbs from nurseries are "inexpensive and generally a better option for beginners and those on a budget".
