Shop Herbs at Bath Garden Center
Herbs are a fantastic choice no matter what. They can be grown outdoors in your traditional garden, in container gardens, or indoors during the cold months. They take up little space and are easy to get creative with if you are experimenting with a small space garden. They are easy to grow, great for beginners, and very rewarding. Who doesn't love being able to walk out to the garden or front porch to harvest on-demand fresh herbs to use in any meal? At Bath Garden Center, we carry a wide variety of herbs throughout the spring, summer, and into the cold season. So, if you are looking for some herbs to fill your garden or occupy space on your window sills, stop by the Garden Center to see what we have in stock! Below is a list of herbs we carry, their uses, and how to grow them.
HERB DIRECTORY
Basil: Spicy Globe Basil, Thai Basil, Sweet Dolce Fresca Basil, Sweet Genovese Basil, Sweet Newton Basil | Catnip | German Chamomile | Chives | Cilantro (Coriander) | Coriander (Vietnamese Hot Mint) | Dill: Bouquet Dill, Dukat Dill, Fernleaf Dwarf Dill | Scented Geranium | Lavender: French Lavender, Hidcote Lavender, Munstead Lavender | Lemon Balm | Lemon Grass | Sweet Marjoram | Mint: Apple Mint, Chocolate Mint, Grapefruit Mint, Lemon Mint, Mojito Mint, Peppermint, Spanish Mint, Moroccan Mint, Spearmint, The Best Mint | Oregano: Oregano, Hot & Spicy Oregano | Parsley: Crispum Dark Leaf Parsley, Italian Giant Parsley | Rosemary: BBQ Rosemary, Officinalis Rosemary, Tuscan Blue Rosemary | Rue (Herb of Grace) | Sage: Garden Grey Sage, Golden Sage, Pineapple Sage, Tricolor Sage | Stevia | French Tarragon | Thyme: Common English Thyme, Lemon Thyme, Silver Posie Thyme, French Thyme
Spicy Globe Basil
Spicy Globe basil is a variety that stands out from the rest. As can be assumed by the name, its flavor is spicier than most other basil varieties, making it delicious in pasta dishes, pestos, and more! This plant is short and compact and maintains an attractive round shape similar to that of a globe. Regular harvesting will help promote more growth, and the flavor of this herb is most pungent when fresh! Spicy Globe basil generally stays between six and twelve inches tall and has oval, slightly toothed leaves that are more petite than varieties such as Dolce Fresca basil or Genovese basil. Grown as an annual herb, its strong scent and lovely white flowers make it a fun addition to flowerpots, container gardens, flower gardens, and more! You can even grow this herb indoors as a container herb throughout the winter months.
Planting & Growing Spicy Globe Basil
Light: Full sun. This variety grows best in full morning sun with some slight afternoon shade.
Water: Grows best in soil that is moist but not soggy. Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Will require daily watering during the heat of the summer.
Soil: Plant in fertile soil that drains freely. Consider mixing compost into your garden soil and be sure to use a high-quality potting mix when planting in containers.
Planting: Can be planted outside or grown indoors as a container herb.
Thai Basil
Thai basil is a variety that is native to Southeast Asia. Its flavor is stronger than that of sweet basil varieties, having hints of anise, licorice, and clove. Thai basil is best used fresh, as this is when the flavor is most pungent! Thai basil, while it is used in many different types of food, is also often used as an ornamental plant. It features purple stems and new growth emerges a deep purple, fading to a deep green color as it matures. The leaves of this plant are large, being 1-2 inches long. The plant itself can grow between twelve and eighteen inches tall, and if allowed to go to seed, produces pretty purple flowers. Be gentle with the leaves when harvesting as they bruise easily!
Planting & Growing Thai Basil
Light: Requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Water: Grows best in soil that is moist but not soggy. Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the foliage wet.
Soil: Plant in fertile soil that drains freely. Add compost to garden soil and use a premium potting mix when planting in containers.
Planting: Can be planted outside or grown indoors as a container herb.
Sweet Dolce Fresca Basil
This sweet and luscious variety of basil has broad green leaves with a full and compact shape thanks to short internodes. Its delicious flavor makes it a favorite in the kitchen! For a constant supply of basil throughout the entire season, pinch the tips of the plant regularly and do not allow it to flower. Once the plant begins to flower, all of its energy is diverted from leaf growth to flower and seed production. Pinching the plant back will also help the plant maintain a nice bushy form. When planted outdoors, Dolce Fresca basil can grow 2-3 feet tall. It can also be grown indoors or as a part of a container garden.
Planting & Growing Dolce Fresca Basil
Light: Requires at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Water: Grows best in soil that is moist but not soggy. Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Will require daily watering during the heat of the summer.
Soil: Plant in rich, fertile soil. Mixing compost into garden soil is recommended. Use a quality potting soil when planting in containers.
Planting: Can be planted in a traditional garden or grown as a container herb.
Sweet Genovese Basil
Genovese basil is a variety that is very popular for its sweet and slightly spicy flavor. It grows large leaves that are great for use in a variety of dishes. This variety of basil is slow to bolt and will produce a constant supply of fresh herbs throughout the growing season as long as it is not allowed to go to seed. As soon as it begins to flower, pinch off the buds. This will keep the plant from diverting its energy toward flower and seed development and will encourage it to focus on foliage growth. Pinching the plant back will also help the plant maintain a nice bushy form. When planted outdoors, Genovese basil can grow 2-3 feet tall. It can also be grown indoors or as a part of a container garden.
Planting & Growing Genovese Basil
Light: Requires at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Water: Grows best in soil that is moist but not soggy. Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings. May require daily watering during the heat of the summer.
Soil: Plant in rich, fertile soil. Amend garden soil with compost and use a high-quality potting mix when planting in containers.
Planting: Can be planted outside or grown indoors as a container herb.
Sweet Newton Basil
Newton basil is a very popular type of basil. It features very large, bright green crinkled leaves and has a taste that is very similar to that of Genovese basil. Unlike Genovese basil, Newton basil does not have a licorice aftertaste, making it a popular choice among many. This fast-growing variety of basil grows approximately 16 inches tall and 12 inches wide, having an upright and bushy growth habit and leaves that can reach up to 4 inches long! It also exhibits a high resistance to Fusarium, which is a fungus that many garden plants are susceptible to. Due to its large leaves, Newton basil is delicious for use in vegetable wraps, salads, Caprese sandwiches and other tomato dishes, pestos, and more!
Planting & Growing Newton Basil
Light: Requires full sun exposure. Full sun will enhance the flavor of most herbs.
Water: Basil is not drought tolerant. Water regularly throughout the growing season and maintain slightly moist soil at all times to ensure a good crop.
Soil: Plant in soil that is moderately rich in organic materials. Use compost to enrich the soil in your garden.
Planting: Grown as an annual in Colorado. Can also be grown indoors or outdoors as a container herb.
Catnip
Catnip is a great multi-purpose herb to grow in your garden or around your home. It can be used for making tea which is very pleasant and has a lemon-mint flavor and fragrance. Along with fresh catnip planted in containers indoors year-round, catnip toys filled with dried leaves will provide your feline friends with hours of fun. But be warned; they may ignore you for a while! Catnip is very hardy and grows in almost any soil. It self-sows readily, so you will always have an abundance to share! Its pale green, soft leaves emit a characteristic, pungent, minty aroma when crushed. You'll find small white or lavender tubular flowers clustered at the ends of stems in early to midsummer with scattered blooming through early fall. To harvest catnip, cut stems about 4 inches from the ground. To dry harvested catnip, tie a bundle of stems together with string or rubber bands and hang them upside down in a brown paper bag. Store in a dry location until leaves crumble easily. Keep dried flowers and leaves and discard the stems. Store dried catnip in an airtight container in a cool, dry location until you find a use for them!
Planting & Growing Catnip
Light: Requires at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Grows best in full sun and will tolerate partly shaded areas.
Water: Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Will require daily watering during the heat of the summer. Prone to overwatering and root rot in containers, so be careful not overwater.
Soil: Plant in rich, fertile soil. Consider amending garden soil with compost and use a premium potting mix when planting in containers.
Planting: Can be planted outside or grown indoors as a container herb.
German Chamomile
This adorable flowering herb is native to parts of England and is as pretty as it is useful. It features flowers with dainty white petals surrounding a yellow center, similar to that of a daisy. It is commonly used to promote relaxation, can be used to reduce swelling, and can alleviate common cold symptoms, indigestion, and anxiety, along with many other things. German chamomile, not to be confused with Roman chamomile, is grown as an annual and has a slight apple fragrance. Add fresh flowers to a salad, incorporate them into teas or cocktails, make chamomile cookies, use as fresh-cut flowers, and so much more! German chamomile can grow to be 24 inches tall and 12 inches wide in ideal environments. German chamomile self-seeds readily and may come back in subsequent years. German chamomile also grows great in containers!
Planting & Growing German Chamomile
Light: Full sun to part shade. Will grow quickest and flower best in full sun!
Water: Water consistently until established. German chamomile is somewhat drought-tolerant once it reaches maturity. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Chamomile plants will appreciate more moisture in very hot conditions.
Soil: Will grow best in soil that is rich in organic materials. Floppy stems may be a result of poor soil. Consider amending your soil with compost.
Planting: Can be planted outdoors in the garden or in containers. Also grows well in an indoor container garden.
Chives
Chives are an easy-to-grow herbaceous perennial that nearly resembles a clump of tall grass. Chives are a part of the same family as onions and garlic, and thus have an onion-like flavor that is mild and delicious. Use them in salads, fish dishes, eggs, soups, or on potatoes, in herb butter, or in a chive cream cheese. The options are endless! This herb's flowers are also edible, making for the perfect garnish as well as a beautiful bouquet. Chives are a great addition to your garden, attracting beneficial insects such as bees and repelling other unwanted insects such as Japanese beetles. Chives are slightly cold-tolerant and will come back year after year. Due to their clumping growth habit, these herbs can be divided every few years to help encourage healthy growth.
Planting & Growing Chives
Light: Chives grow best in full sun, though they will tolerate light shade. Flower production will decrease in shaded areas.
Water: Somewhat drought tolerant once established, though they do prefer consistently moist soil. Consider mulching the base of plants in extremely hot conditions.
Soil: Soil should be fertile and well-draining. Chives can be susceptible to root rot if planted in clay-heavy soils. Consider amending your soil if need be!
Planting: Chives grow great in the garden and as a container herb, either indoors or outdoors!
Cilantro (Coriander)
Cilantro refers to the leafy parts of the coriander plant, while coriander typically refers to the seeds that can be used as a spice. Being closely related to parsley, cilantro has a similar, though slightly stronger flavor with tangy citrus notes. It is commonly eaten as a garnish or used as a spice, and also has medicinal uses. Grows approximately 12-24 inches t