Today I have decided to write about some of the easiest to grow plants in our garden. They are Chives, Ku Chai (Garlic Chives), and Sweet Basil. The two forms of chives are great chopped up finely in a salad.
Regular chives are a prolific plant that grows easily. Chives are great chopped un in a salad giving it a hint of onion, without over powering a salad like an onion can. They are growing in a full sun position within a half barrel pot. Chives grow long and tall with a tubular construction, they look much like a spring onion. I have split the original plant into both extremes of the planter to encourage growth. It has worked as you can not even see where we have actively harvested the chives. They are a very easy plant to grow, and anyone that likes chives should grow their own.
Ku Chai on the other hand is more delicate in texture and flavour. It though grows in the same way. Our Ku Chai is doing exceptionally well on the front porch. The plant receives a large period of full sun daily and are growing very well. They also taste great in a salad. The flavour of Ku Chai is a little more sweeter than regular chives. The other major difference is that the plant grows in a thinner and flatter manner aswell.
Sweet basil is another easy to grow herb. Ours is growing in one of the same half barrels as the Ku Chai and Chives. The plants are growing prolifically and healthily. Sweet basil can be used for seasoning meat or combined with Tomatoes to form a pesto. It is an aromatic herb, that is also rumoured to assist in keeping flies away, although an awful lot of basil is required to be a truly effective deterrent.
These are great complimentary herbs that are easy to grow. It is definately a good move to begin growing your own. A small pot and a few dollars worth of a good quality potting mix is all you need for great herbs.
