At Dara's Garden we grow the best quality herbs and want to help our customers maintain them so that you can enjoy them all year round.

Please check back often as these pages are updated regularly.

For best results non-fruiting herbs such as basils and mints should be watered 3-4 times a week, thereby encouraging leaf growth.

Chillies, Asian Eggplant and other fruiting plants typically require less watering, 2-3 times a week. This is sufficient to promote flowering and fruiting all year round.

Other herbs such as Sawleaf and Laksa don't need much watering, 1-2 times a week, keeping an eye on the leaf colour as overwatering results in a paling and browning of the leaves. 

For Basil varities trim away flowers and branch heads (to use for cooking) regularly as it encourages a bushing of the plant. Trim back to first set of new leaf growth. If too much flowering is allowed the plant will eventually die off.

Chillies etc. can be pruned into a desired shape, again back to just above new leaf growth. This encourages not only new growth, but also flowering and therefore fruiting.

Pluck dry leaves from mint varieties and Laksa, again to encourage a bushing of the plant.

Note that above all, patience and regular attention are key when maintaining these organically grown plants.

General Tips

If you plan to keep your herbs in their pots, don't forget to a) up-size as they mature and b) change the soil every 6-8 months. The new soil should be well airrated with plenty of light compost ensuring that the soil doesn't compress too quickly.

The best way to control pests like caterpillars and grasshoppers is through regular inspection and removal by hand. Check under leaves a few times a week.

For smaller pests like aphids spray with a water solution that contains no more than 1-2 drops of ordinary household dishwashing liquid. The tiny amount of dishwashing liquid is enough to scare of the bugs and is rinsed away by any watering or rain.

If you basil plant appears to be drying out for no apparent reason, check the soil around the roots as you may find that black ants (the small variety) have decided to use the root structure as the basis for there only tunnels. The best remedy in this situation is to re-pot the plant, carefully shaking off the ants and old soil en-route to the new pot.

For further enquiries please email us and don't forget to include your name, location and as much detail pertaining to your problem or question.

Happy Herb Growing,

Dara.