Some herbs you grow to cook with, or top things with – basil, parsley, and cilantro are probably the most familiar examples.
Some herbs you grow to snort ’em. No, not like drugs. Like aromatherapy. Or at least, if you’re me, you do. Two of my favorite herbs to have growing on my porch that qualify are Lemon Thyme, and Lemon Basil. Not only do they smell amazing, but they add a lovely extra something to any dish you use them in.
Lemon Thyme looks just like regular Thyme, except its got a little extra pale yellow around each tiny leaf. I stumbled on it at my local big box grocery store garden centre a few years ago, took a whiff, and I was hooked. Every year since I buy two starter pots, plant them in my big hand-me-down terracotta urns and enjoy them all summer. I literally run my hands through them on my way in and out the door of the apartment in order to smell the lemony goodness on my hands. It’s easy to grown, and will tolerate forgetting to be watered. Needs about 6 hours of sunlight a day to be a happy lemon camper.
Lemon Basil was my new discovery two years ago. Again, purely by chance I stumbled on some Lemon Basil seedlings at my local asian market store. I’d never head of such a thing before, but as soon as I smelled them I knew I had a new favourite herb. Lemon Basil has smaller leaves than “regular” Basil with a somewhat paler, lime-ier colour. Like most Basil, Lemon Basil needs its soil to stay moist and a goodly amount of sun – mine do fine in about 6 hours a day.
Last year I went looking for more – this is a NON-OPTIONAL herb for me – but there were none to be had for any price. So this summer when I decided to try to start a few veggies and herbs from seed (more on that in another post), I made a point to get my paws on some lemon basil seeds. I planted them and watered them and hoped at them … They’re still tiny yet, but they’re growing fast and soon will be ready for outdoor transplant.
If you can find either or both, grab ’em. SO YUMMY.