Growing Herbs for Seed

Credit: Terry Guscott

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum): The plant is known as cilantro, and its parsley-type leaves are used in Mexican and Asian cooking.

The seeds are called coriander and are used in curries and some meat dishes. This is a frost-tolerant plant and it’s slow to bolt. It grows easily from seed sown spring through summer. Dill (Anethum graveolens): Both leaves and seeds are used to flavour dips and dressings, pickles and fish dishes. When sowing, look for varieties that mature to large seedheads, such as Long Island Mammoth or Duket. Anise (Pimpinella anisum): Anise seed is used in baking breads, cookies and pastries. Its licorice taste is also welcome in meatloaf, tomato sauce and beef stew. A tea of anise seed is said to relieve upset stomachs. It does require a long hot summer to produce seed, so start it early and site it in the hottest part of the garden.