Page 25 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2025

Saponins are natural compounds and are
similar to glycosides they produce a soapy
lather if shaken with water. They can cause
the breakup of red blood cells. Saponins
are present in primulas, horse chestnut and
many other plants.
Essential oils are extracted from the
liquid part of the plant and often have a
pleasant fragrance and are mainly made up
of terpenes. Some have an antiseptic action
and will kill germs. Examples of the plants
producing oils are thyme which is used
in mouth washes, garlic, onion, camphor,
and menthol the last two both have an
anaesthetic effect. Most have a favourable
action on the digestive system and are
widely used to flavour food.
Bitters these are non-poisonous and
have a strong bitter taste, many are used in
medicines and plants with bitters include
artemisia and gentians.
Tannins have astringent properties and
promote rapid healing and the formation
of new tissues on wounds. They are used
to treat ulcers, frost bite, minor burns,
diarrhoea and catarrh. Tannins are found
in oaks, bilberry, peppermint and sage
and the tannins from oak were used in the
making of leather for shoes.
Other compounds found in plants
include organic acids, sugars, vitamins,
mucilage’s (a type of sugar), pectin’s and
carotenoids. Nearly every plant can have
some herbal use and effect.
HERB GROWING
Herbs can be grown indoors and outdoors
depending on the species being grown
and the time of year, some are hardy, but
others are only half hardy so can be grown
outdoors during the summer but need
bring inside in the autumn. Outdoors they
can be grown in the open ground or in
containers where they are useful as many
are fairly drought tolerant.
Herbs can be grown in a dedicated
herb garden, knot garden, herb circle, herb
cartwheel, herb mound or just planted in
an ornamental border. Some of the woody
species like lavender or rosemary can be
grown as low hedges.
Mixed herbs They will grow in most soils although
a number do not like heavy clay soils in
which case add plenty of organic matter
and plant them with a handful or two of grit
underneath. If growing in containers either
a peat free multipurpose compost or John
Innes compost can be used. If the plants
are annuals or only expected to survive for
a year multipurpose will be O.K. but if you
hope they will grow for a few years use a
John Innes Potting number 2 or 3.
Most herbs prefer a sunny position as
some originated from the Mediterranean
area so have evolved to grow in these
conditions, there are some like mint
which will grow well in shade. Prepare the
ground before planting by digging and add
some organic matter, remove any weeds
especially if perennials and if the soil is
poor add a handful of Growmore fertiliser
to each square metre.
Spring planting is best for herbs as it
avoids the wet winters, ensure the plants
are hardened off before planting. Plants can
be brought online, from nurseries (including
specialist herb nurseries), garden centres
and even supermarkets. Many are easy to
propagate from either seed or cuttings.
Seed is available from a number of seed
companies and some have a special herb
section, there is a wide selection available
and seed is cheap and will give plenty of
plants. Sow the seeds in the spring and
most are better sown indoors usually using
a propagator or heated greenhouse. Sow
the seed into half seed trays or small pots
using either John Innes Seed compost
or a multipurpose compost. Ensure the
container is clean and fill with the compost,
firm it lightly and water using a rose on
the watering can. Sow the seed thinly
and evenly and check on the seed packet
whether it needs covering or any special
treatment, if in doubt cover the seed with
5mm of compost unless the seed is small.
A few seeds may need stratification, if so
place the seed outside for 2 to 3 months
from January to March or put into a clear
polythene bag and place in the fridge for
six weeks. The cold treatment helps to
break the seed dormancy, when ready put
Mentha x piperata
Mixed Herbs in container
the container into a propagator set at 18
to 21̊C. Once the seeds have germinated
and have two cotyledons prick them out
into modules or small pots and grow on,
indoors at first and them move outdoors or
into a cold frame when large enough. They
can be hardened off and plant out after the
last frost.
A few seeds like parsley can be sown
directly outdoors as for vegetables, if
parsley seed is watered with hot water it is
supposed to improve germination; I have
not tried this so check a few seeds first!
Some herbs can be propagated by
cuttings mainly softwood or semi-ripe,
most root fairly easily and quickly. Softwood
cuttings are taken in the spring as soon as
the growth is long enough, aim for cuttings
of 50 to 75mm long and cut blow a node
(where the leaves join the stem). Trim off
the lower leaves and using a dibber put the
cuttings into a free draining but moisture
retentive compost; a 50/50 mix of coir and
perlite, vermiculite or grit is fine. Most are
easy to root so hormone rooting powder
is not really required but you can use if
you have some. Put the cuttings into a
propagator or cover the container with a
polythene bag and place in a temperature
of 18 to 21˚C. They should be rooted in
three weeks in the spring so once they
are growing harden them off and plant
Simply Vegetables 25