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Herbs and Spices

Herbs are usually leaves or soft stems. Spices are often seeds, bark, roots, fruits, or dried flower parts.

KindExamplesNotes
Soft annual herbsBasil, cilantro, dill, chervilQuick crops, frequent sowing
Perennial woody herbsRosemary, thyme, sage, bayBright light, drainage, pruning
Moisture-loving herbsMint, parsley, chives, Vietnamese mintMore water, rich soil
Seed spicesCoriander, cumin, fennel, mustardLet plants flower and set seed
Root and rhizome spicesGinger, turmeric, galangalWarmth, moisture, long season
Flower and bark spicesSaffron, cloves, cinnamonClimate-specific or specialist crops

Mint spreads aggressively and is often best in a pot. Mediterranean herbs usually fail in heavy wet soil, especially in winter.