Summer is the season of fresh herbs and our stores have plenty for you to enjoy. Available already cut and ready to cook or in living versions that you can plant in your indoor or outdoor garden, it’s one of the ways we bring you closer to the farm.
Fresh herbs are bursting with bright, complex flavours that can add a much-needed dash of excitement to your favourite recipes. From versatile, popular herbs like basil to more nuanced, aromatic options like lemongrass, Farm Boy is committed to providing the highest quality of products all at an excellent value. Discover how you can grow your own fresh herbs, what they taste like, how to preserve them, and more.
Blog Overview
- Discover information about a variety of fresh herbs available in Farm Boy stores.
- Learn how they taste, how to grow them, recipes, and more.
- Fresh herbs can elevate a simple dish and many are easy enough to grow at home.
- Find out how to preserve fresh herbs for longer life, through refrigeration and freezing.
- Some herbs are available fresh and ready-to-use while other herbs can be planted in your own indoor or outdoor garden and cultivated.
- Farm Boy is committed to getting you closer to the farm by bringing you the highest-quality produce that’s local whenever possible.
Spotlight on: Slegers Greens
We work with hundreds of local vendors like Slegers Greens who share our commitment to providing you with delicious produce that doesn’t compromise on quality. It’s one of the ways we get you closer to the farm!
Slegers Greens is a local family farm based in Strathroy, Ontario that utilizes the power of greenhouses to grow everything from living herbs to wholesome microgreens. Certified organic since 2004, Slegers Greens combines a lifetime of greenhouse growing expertise with top-notch standards to create a winning formula. Discover more about Slegers Greens on our blog, A Local Family Farm: Slegers Greens.
How to Preserve Fresh Herbs
There are a few ways you can preserve fresh herbs after they’ve grown. Depending on your herb (whether it’s classified as a tender herb or hardy herb) will differentiate how to preserve it. In the fridge, your fresh herbs will keep anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks.
Tender Herbs: This includes cilantro, dill, lemongrass, marjoram, mint, parsley, and tarragon. Wash these herbs using a salad spinner or by swirling gently in water. Snip off the bases of the stems and remove any discoloured or wilting leaves. Transfer to a glass jar filled with an inch of water. Seal the jar with a lid or cover with a plastic bag and rubber band. Store in the fridge.
Hardy Herbs: This includes chives, oregano, rosemary, sage, savory, and thyme. Wash these herbs using a salad spinner or by swirling gently in water. Arrange in a single layer on a damp paper towel. Roll them up tightly and transfer to resealable plastic bag or plastic wrap. Store in the fridge.
Special Herbs: This applies to basil. Like preparing a bouquet of flowers, snip off the stem bases and stand the herbs in a glass jar with an inch of water. Store at room temperature in light area, but out of direct sunlight.
If you want to freeze your herbs for culinary use, we recommend one simple method. Chop up your fresh herbs and place in an ice cube tray. Fill the tray with olive oil and place in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer them to a resealable plastic bag for longer storage.
Basil
Type of Herb: Annual; one-year life cycle.
Flavour: Sweet and aromatic, with a peppery edge.
Popular Cuisine: Italian.
How To Enjoy: Basil is popular in salads, sandwiches, pesto, pasta, and on pizza.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Chives, cilantro, coriander, dill, garlic, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme.
How To Grow: Basil likes lots of sun, warmth, and water to thrive. Place your basil plant in a nice sunny spot and keep the soil moist but not drenched.
Recipe To Try: Spicy Burst Tomato Pasta
Chives
Type of Herb: Perennial; life cycle of at least 3 years.
Flavour: Mild and onion-like.
Popular Cuisine: N/A
How To Enjoy: Use chives as a garnish for egg dishes, potatoes, seafood, salads, or baked in biscuits.
How To Grow: An easy fresh herb for even novice gardeners, chives are very forgiving. They like lots of sun. Trim a few inches from them regularly to encourage regrowth.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Basil, cilantro, coriander, dill, fennel, oregano, paprika, parsley, tarragon, and thyme.
Recipe To Try: Spring Pea and Kale Pesto
Cilantro
Type of Herb: Annual; one-year life cycle.
Flavour: Pungent, bright, fresh, and zesty. A certain gene can make it taste like soap to some people!
Popular Cuisine: Mexican, Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, and Chinese.
How To Enjoy: Enjoy cilantro in salsas, sauces, guacamole, tacos, rice dishes, and pastas.
How To Grow: Cool weather is best for finicky cilantro. This fresh herb prefers less sunlight, so a lower-sun spot is best. Water about one inch per week.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Basil, chives, dill, ginger, lemongrass, mint, and parsley.
Recipe To Try: Green Vegetable Rice
Curly Parsley
Type of Herb: Biennial; life cycle of 2 years.
Flavour: Mild
Popular Cuisine: Italian, Greek, and Mediterranean.
How To Enjoy: Often used as a garnish, since curly parsley has minimal flavour.
How To Grow: Put your parsley plant in full sun for quicker growth, or in an east- or west-facing window for slower development.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Basil, bay leaves, chives, garlic, marjoram, mint, oregano, rosemary, sumac, and tarragon.
Recipe To Try: Chimichurri Shrimp
Dill
Type of Herb: Annual; one-year life cycle.
Flavour: Fresh and aromatic, with hints of lemon and licorice.
Popular Cuisine: Scandinavian, Eastern European.
How To Grow: Keep fresh dill from being cooked by using it in spreads, dips, salads, or atop fish.
How To Plant: This fast-growing fresh herb does well in some sunlight but prefers cooler temperatures. Spots with afternoon shade are ideal. A looser, sandier soil helps dill drain well.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Basil, chives, cumin, garlic, oregano, mint, paprika, parsley, and tarragon.
Recipe To Try: Fresh Herb Salad
Italian Parsley
Type of Herb: Biennial; life cycle of 2 years.
Flavour: Clean, fresh, and peppery.
Popular Cuisine: European.
How To Enjoy: Italian parsley is often used to garnish pilafs, pastas, stews, curries, and salads, or in place of basil in a pesto recipe.
How To Grow: Put your parsley plant in full sun for quicker growth, or in an east- or west-facing window for slower development.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Basil, bay leaves, chives, garlic, marjoram, mint, oregano, rosemary, sumac, and tarragon.
Recipe To Try: Mediterranean Bean, Kale, & Quinoa Salad
Lemongrass
Type of Herb: Perennial; life cycle of at least 3 years.
Flavour: Bright, complex, and citrusy.
Popular Cuisine: Vietnamese, Thai.
How To Enjoy: Lemongrass is common in curries, broths, soups, and marinades.
How To Grow: A rapid grower in hot weather, full sun and rich, well-drained soil are required for this herb.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Basil, cilantro, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and turmeric.
Recipe To Try: Chicken Soup with Mushrooms and Asian Greens
Marjoram
Type of Herb: Perennial; life cycle of at least 3 years.
Flavour: Delicate, mild, and slightly sweet, with a subtle warm spice.
Popular Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern.
How To Enjoy: Marjoram is often used as a marinade for meats and vegetables. Be sure to add it at the end of the cooking process if using fresh.
How To Grow: Drought-resistant and easy to grow, consider adding marjoram to your herb garden, even if you’re new to the game. Full sun and loose soil are preferred by this fresh herb.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Basil, bay leaf, chili, cumin, garlic, paprika, parsley, rosemary, sage, sumac, and thyme.
Mint
Type of Herb: Perennial; life cycle of at least 3 years.
Flavour: Refreshing, sweet, clean, and crisp.
Popular Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, and Greek.
How To Enjoy: Mint does well in sweet dishes like baked goods or ice cream, in marinades and sauces, and in hot or cold beverages.
How To Grow: A wildly spreading plant, mint is best grown in pots. Keep your mint moist if the air is dry and place in a sunny spot.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Basil, cloves, cumin, dill, ginger, parsley, oregano, tarragon, and thyme.
Recipe To Try: Strawberry Mojito Kombucha Mocktail
Oregano
Type of Herb: Perennial; life cycle of at least 3 years.
Flavour: Earthy, sharp, and pungent.
Popular Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean.
How To Enjoy: Oregano is best in tomato-based recipes and homemade sausage.
How To Grow: Requiring less watering than other herbs, wait until your oregano plant’s soil is dry to the touch before giving it a drink. This is another low-maintenance herb perfect for beginners.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Basil, bay leaf, chili, cumin, garlic, paprika, parsley, rosemary, sage, sumac, and thyme.
Rosemary
Type of Herb: Perennial; life cycle of at least 3 years.
Flavour: Strong, earthy, woody, and pine-like.
Popular Cuisine: Mediterranean, Spanish, Greek, and Italian.
How To Enjoy: Try rosemary in roasts, soups, casseroles, and focaccia recipes.
How To Grow: A natural air freshener, rosemary is a great plant for your indoor herb garden. This plant grows best when set in a south-facing window with good drainage.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Bay leaf, chives, garlic, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, savory, and thyme.
Recipe To Try: Citrus Marinated Roasted Chicken
Sage
Type of Herb: Perennial; life cycle of at least 3 years.
Flavour: Earthy, savoury, and fragrant.
Popular Cuisine: Italian, British, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern.
How To Enjoy: Try sage in rich sauces and meat dishes, often paired with a lot of butter.
How To Grow: A natural pest deterrent, try growing sage indoors or outdoors. Lots of sunlight is preferred for this Mediterranean native. Choose a container at least six inches deep.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Bay leaf, caraway seed, ginger, marjoram, paprika, parsley, savory, and thyme.
Recipe To Try: Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage
Savory
Type of Herb: Annual; one-year lifespan.
Flavour: Peppery, bright, and slightly sweet.
Popular Cuisine: Bulgarian, Romanian, and Atlantic Canadian.
How To Enjoy: Savory is enjoyed in egg dishes, salads, and alongside summer vegetables.
How To Grow: Summer savory doesn’t grow quickly, but it does grow easily. This fresh herb requires full sun and lots of moist, well-drained soil.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Basil, bay leaf, cumin, garlic, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme.
Tarragon
Type of Herb: Perennial; life cycle of at least 3 years.
Flavour: Sweet, delicate, and slightly licoricey.
Popular Cuisine: French.
How To Enjoy: Tarragon is often used in creamy soups, sauces, and salads, as well as fish and poultry dishes.
How To Grow: A drought-resistant herb, tarragon requires well-drained, sandy soil and prefers a sunny or partially shaded spot to thrive.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Basil, bay leaf, chives, dill, mint, parsley, and thyme.
Thai Basil
Type of Herb: Biennial; life cycle of 2 years.
Flavour: Strong and slightly spicy, with subtle notes of licorice and mint.
Popular Cuisine: Thai, Southeast Asian.
How To Enjoy: Thai Basil is delicious in soups, sauces, stews, and curries.
How To Grow: Well-drained, moist soil is key here but be careful not to over-water.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Chili, chives, curry, garlic, ginger, mint, and oregano
Recipe To Try: Thai Pork Basil Stir Fry
Thyme
Type of Herb: Perennial; life cycle of at least 3 years.
Flavour: Minty, earthy, lemony, and woodsy.
Popular Cuisine: French, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Italian.
How To Enjoy: Try thyme in soups, sauces, and braised or roasted meats and vegetables.
How To Grow: Aim for four to eight hours of sunlight per day with this plant and allow the soil to dry out a bit between waterings.
Herb & Spice Pairings: Allspice, basil, bay leaf, chili, chives, clove, garlic, marjoram, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, and tarragon.
Recipe To Try: Butternut Squash and Spinach Tart
