In Africa, herbs have always been an important part of our cooking, healing and culture. People have always been conscious about the value of indigenous herbs, like lengana / umhlonyane, yet few are planting these herbs in their gardens. It is about time that we go back to basics and start planting herbs in our gardens. Planting herbs can be a business opportunity!

This article seeks to plant a thought in your mind, so that you think of herbs. The following herbs are easy to grow:

• Basil– with a delicious robust fragrance and flavour, basil is a popular cooking herb and is easy to grow.
• Coriander– used mainly in Asian and Indian cuisine, coriander is easy to grow but can go to seed quickly.
• Mint– one of the easiest herbs to grow, mint is a refreshing addition to dishes and has medicinal value.
• Parsley– parsley is best added towards the end of cooking, freshly chopped.
• Wild Garlic– a beneficial plant, wild garlic is a drought tolerant indigenous South Africa plant. The leaves on wild garlic can be used like chives and its bulbs can even be chopped up and added to your cooking.

For ideas and information about growing herbs for profit, check with the South African Herb Academy (SAHA), Tel: 012 819 1049, www.herbclass.com.

– Mokgokong Mokgethi