As Minnesotans, we know how short summers can seem. We tolerate grocery store greens most of the year, and look forward to the season where we can pick our own to throw on the grill, in a salad, or even use around the home. With the season changing before our eyes, it’s smart to plan ahead and map out our gardening plans so we can make the most of our herbs and veggies all season long.*
With that in mind, we at Sunnyside wanted to share with you some basic care tips and uses for a variety of herbs so that you can plan out your perfect gourmet garden. Wow your friends, neighbors and family this year with your fresh, at-your-fingertips herb garden.
Thyme: full sun, sandy/well-draining soil. Matches well with beef, carrots, chicken, figs, fish, goat cheese, lamb, lentils, onions, peas, pork, potatoes, soups, tomatoes, venison.
Rosemary: full sun/part sun, well-drained soil. Matches well with beans, chicken, fish, game, grains, lamb, mushrooms, onions, oranges, peas, pork, potatoes, poultry, salmon, spinach, steaks, veal.
Basil: full/mostly full sun, moist/well-drained soil. Matches well with cheese, chicken, duck, eggplant, eggs, fish, lamb, liver, olive oil, onions, pasta, pesto, pizza, pork, potatoes, rabbit, salads, shellfish, soups, sweet peppers, tomatoes, veal, vegetables, vinegars, zucchini, tomato sauce.
Sage: full sun, sandy/loamy soil. Matches well with beef, cheese, chicken, duck, eggplant, eggs, fish, lamb, liver, olive oil, onions, pasta, pesto, pizza, pork, potatoes, rabbit, salads, shellfish, soups, sweet peppers, tomatoes, veal, vegetables, vinegars, zucchini, tomato sauce.
Tarragon: full sun/part sun, sandy/loamy soil. Matches well with artichokes, bearnaise sauce, carrots, chicken, eggs, fish, lobster, mushrooms, onions, potatoes, rabbit, salads, shellfish, sole, spinach, stuffing, tomatoes, veal.
Cilantro: full sun/part sun, well-drained/moist soil. Matches well with avocado, chicken, fish, ice cream, lamb, lentils, mayonnaise, peppers, pork, rice, salads, salsas, shellfish, tomatoes, yogurt.
Parsley: full sun/partial shade, loamy/moist soil. Matches well with chicken, eggplant, eggs, fish, game, lentils, mushrooms, mussels, pasta, peas, potatoes, poultry, rice, seafood, tomatoes, zucchini, lemon.
Chives: full sun, rich/well-draining soil. Matches well with eggs, fish, potatoes, salads, shellfish, sole, soups.
Fennel: full sun, well-draining soil. Matches well with butter, cabbage, celery root, coriander, cream, cucumbers, fish, fruit, garlic, lemon, olive oil, olives, onions, oranges, Parmesan cheese, Pernod, potatoes, sausages, seafood, sherry, thyme, tomatoes, vinaigrette.
Marjoram: full sun, well-draining soil. Matches well with carrots, chicken, corn, duck, eggs, fish, halibut, lamb chops, meats, mushrooms, peas, pork chops, potatoes, rabbit, ravioli, salads, soups, spinach, squash, stuffings, tomatoes, tuna, zucchini.
Mint: full sun/part shade, moist/well-draining soil. Matches well with carrots, chocolate, duck, eggplant, fruit, goat, ice cream, lamb, lentils, oranges, peas, peppers, pilafs, pork, salsas, tomatoes, vegetables, yogurt.
Savory: full sun, well-draining soil – Matches well with beans, eggs, goat cheese, lamb, meats, peas, poultry, rabbit, soups.
There you have it! So show off your flavor in the healthiest way possible this summer – your own herb garden! And remember that right now through May 3rd Sunnyside is holding our annual Flavorama event, buy five, get one free on any of these great herbs! See you soon!
*Always remember if you plan to plant early to be prepared with something to cover plants with overnight if a cold snap is in the forecast. Newspaper, old sheets, or frost blankets all work well, just remember to remove the covering the next morning.
