We make growing herbs easier

Growing Herbs

Herbs can be purchased in seedling form in spring from the greenhouse or in seed form most times during the year. Herb kits are also available for growing herbs indoors during winter. Ask a greengate expert if you are new to herbs, as they can be tricky, but also very rewarding.

Mint herbs
sea soil

Herbs Gardener Secret:

Pot herbs in Sea Soil. Slower growing herbs have more flavour.

Outdoor herbs will be healthier. Try not to grow herbs inside due to dry air conditions.

Basil should not be put outside until all threat of frost has passed due to it's extremely delicate nature.

Growing herbs indoors:

If you have a room that gets consistent direct, natural sunlight, you could actually grow your own edible herbs indoors and spring is a great time to sprout the seedlings.

Herbs like basil, mint, and parsley will thrive indoors.

Give plants Evolve Rage Plus 0-0-6 in early spring. Trees and shrubs can benefit from a quick dose of this fertilizer while they are budding out. It takes about a month before you will see results, so April is a great time to give them a shot to get them going.

mint

Try Earth Alive in your seedling trays, pots or in your garden.

Earth Alive is a beneficial fungus that breaks down organic materials into the nutrients that your plants need. Just mix into the soil at the time of planting. This product is super beneficial especially if you use organic materials like compost for fertilization, as it speed-up the delivery of nutrients to the plant roots through colonization.

Earth Alive Soil Activator

Use Myke!

Myke is also a beneficial fungus that is applied directly to the roots of your plants.

Myke offers a 75% better survival rate for your plants by increasing the root system. Whether it's trees, shrubs, annuals or perennials it doesn't matter! If you are planting use Myke for amazing results. Myke comes in several containers as they have different microbes in each, so buy specifically for the plants you will be planting. If you're not sure Myke tree and Shrub has all the MYCORRHIZAE necessary for any plant.

Did you know that if you purchase Myke with your trees and Shrubs we offer a 5-year warranty?

Myke for Hrebs & Vegetables
FAST TIP 1

Flowers are not welcome.

Flowers are pretty and lovely to see on our annuals or perennials, on herbs, they're normally a sign of nothing good. Unless your growing something for its edible flowers, prune before they start growing flowers. Plants like sweet basil turns bitter because flowers ruin the flavour.

FAST TIP 2

Keep it manageable.

If you're new to gardening, or space is limited, consider choosing two or three herbs to begin with. Begin with those you think you will use more.

FAST TIP 3

When planting herbs choose a sunny spot that will not be out of site, and therefore out of mind. If you can keep an eye on them, you can keep them happy, plus you will be more apt to use them.

FAST TIP 4

Go easy on the fertilizer when growing herbs.

If too much fertilizer is used, plants will produce large amounts of foliage with low quality flavor.

Herbs and their Culinary Uses:

  • Bouquet
  • Condiment
  • Flavouring
  • Fragrance
  • Potpourri
  • Sachet
  • Salad Garnish
  • Seasoning

 

While we endeavor to keep all of the following herbs in stock, we may experience occasional shortages between deliveries.

 

Anise - licorice-flavored, cookies & cakes, teas, curries
 


Basil - fish, chicken, seafood, pesto, pasta, salads, soups, sauces
   Varieties:

  • Lemon
  • Lime
  • Purple
  • Spicy Globe
  • Sweet
  • Thai


Borage (self-seeds) - cucumber-flavored, salads, drinks



Chives - mild onion/garlic flavor, vegetables, stews, soups

  Varieties: 

  • Common (perennial)   
  • Garlic (perennial) 

 

Chamomile - aids in digestion, tea, cream sauces

   Varieties: 

  • German (mild)        
  • Roman (perennial)

Chervil (self seeds) - salads, fish, soups, stews, vegetables

Cilantro (leaves) - salads, chutney, salsa, soups, sauces

Coriander (seeds) - curries, pickles, beer

Dill - pickles, soups, sauces, dips, vegetables

Fennel - fish, salads, soups, egg dishes, use bulbs like celery

Lovage (perennial) - celery-flavored, soups, stews, vegetables

English Lavender - herbal jellies, vinegars, and oils

Lemon Balm (perennial) - tea, fish, potpourri, insect deterrent

Lemon Verbena - desserts, sauces, fish, rice, ice cream

Marjoram (perennial) - meat, eggs, vegetables, salads, vinegars

Mint - tea, baking & candy making, sauces, drinks, potpourri

  Varieties: 

  • Banana (perennial)  
  • Chocolate (perennial)      
  • Ginger (perennial)   
  • Mojito
  • Orange (perennial)  
  • Peppermint (perennial) 
  • Pineapple             
  • Spearmint (perennial)

 

Oregano - soups, sauces, pasta, vegetables

  Varieties: 

  • Greek               
  • Golden (mild

 

Parsley - vegetables, meat, salads, sauces

  Varieties: 

  • Curled (biennial)    
  • Italian (biennial)

 

Rosemary - chicken, lamb, pork, beef, vegetables

  Varieties: 

  • Arp (fragrant, upright) 
  • Barbeque (long upright stems)
  • Foxtail (semi-trailing)  
  • Irene (bright blue flowers)
  • Madalene Hill/Hill Hardy (fragrant, upright)
  • Roman Beauty (dense foliage, semi-trailing)
  • Salem (fast-growing, upright)  
  • Tuscan Blue (fragrant, columnar)

 

Sage - poultry, pork, salads, stuffing, sauces

  Varieties: 

  • Garden/Common (perennial)
  • Berggarten (gray-green foliage)
  • Pineapple (jams & jellies, drinks, salads)
  • Purple (colorful & tasty)
  • Tangerine (bright red flowers, orange-scented)
  • Tricolor (great for the kitchen or in containers)
  • Sorrel - salads, soups, sauces

 

Stevia - a very sweet sugar substitute

 

Savory - egg dishes, vegetables, soups, meats, salads

  Varieties: 

  • Summer (mild)             
  • Winter (perennial)
  • Tarragon - sauces, salads, fish, poultry, vinegars

 

Thyme - poultry, fish, salads, vegetables

  Varieties: 

  • English (perennial, the most common)
  • Lemon (glossy green lemon-scented leaves)
  • Silver (variegated leaves, great with roasted vegetables)