Herbs for the Kitchen Fri, 13 Mar 2026 22:41:18 +0000 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 22:41:18 +0000 UBC Botanical Garden Forums https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/herbs-for-the-kitchen.295/ Mon, 21 Jul 2025 23:03:16 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/why-did-my-oregano-die.105251/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/why-did-my-oregano-die.105251/ invalid@example.com (DavidB52) DavidB52 It was sitting out in the backyard.
It seemed to be doing well.

During the long hot dry stretch we had, and because it's in a pot rather than in the ground, I made sure to feel the soil and water it whenever it felt dry. Sometimes that was every two or three days. I went on vacation for a week (July 6 - 13) so gave it some water the day before I left.

Now it is dry and brittle. Seems...

Why did my Oregano Die?]]> 1 Tue, 03 Sep 2024 15:14:44 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/storing-herbs-in-bags.104544/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/storing-herbs-in-bags.104544/ invalid@example.com (Oleander) Oleander 5 Sun, 02 Jun 2024 08:21:57 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/thyme.100609/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/thyme.100609/ invalid@example.com (Nik) Nik 8 Sun, 22 Jan 2023 23:46:17 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/saffron-crocus.87460/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/saffron-crocus.87460/ invalid@example.com (Terry Phillips) Terry Phillips 3 Mon, 04 Apr 2022 16:08:51 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/little-white-things-swimming-in-my-live-basil.102102/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/little-white-things-swimming-in-my-live-basil.102102/ invalid@example.com (Quenby Iandiorio) Quenby Iandiorio
also, the plants are dying. Can’t keep these suckers alive no matter what I do….]]> 4 Sun, 26 Sep 2021 04:54:30 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/am-i-growing-mint-right.97083/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/am-i-growing-mint-right.97083/ invalid@example.com (Sara_) Sara_ 6 Tue, 08 Jun 2021 17:47:22 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/looking-for-pandanus-amaryllifolius.98191/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/looking-for-pandanus-amaryllifolius.98191/ invalid@example.com (yatyat) yatyat
Does anyone have any lead on finding this? Only place I found is Flora Exotica but this is the only thing I need from them and the minimum order for shipping plants is $50 (+ shipping cost). I would much prefer to get one locally in the Lower Mainland.

Thanks!

I apologize for cross posting but realized this might be a more appropriate place for it. Please delete the other one as you see fit.]]> 4 Sat, 24 Apr 2021 03:21:08 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/curry-leaf-plant.100277/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/curry-leaf-plant.100277/ invalid@example.com (Cindy Dhaliwal) Cindy Dhaliwal 1 Sun, 11 Apr 2021 13:09:49 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/french-tarragon.98273/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/french-tarragon.98273/ invalid@example.com (Nik) Nik 2 Sun, 02 Aug 2020 13:31:31 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/method-for-storing-aromatic-herbs-beyond-drying.98658/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/method-for-storing-aromatic-herbs-beyond-drying.98658/ invalid@example.com (Arlette) Arlette Part two

Freezing - After having been thoroughly cleaned with a napkin, the leaves can be frozen on a tray after freezing, placed in a freezer and taken as needed.

To keep the color and flavor of the Basil unaltered to the maximum, I personally tried a somewhat more laborious method which, for lack of patience, I abandoned, albeit with lower results, unfortunately. After having separated all the leaves, blanch them in boiling water for a few...

Method for storing aromatic herbs beyond drying]]> 12 Sat, 01 Aug 2020 18:08:23 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/store-aromatic-herbs-for-the-winter.98656/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/store-aromatic-herbs-for-the-winter.98656/ invalid@example.com (Arlette) Arlette Part one

Since our aromatic friends are in full bloom I thought of collecting some news about their conservation for having them available during the winter.

After purchasing or harvesting, the herbs of more general consumption are usually kept for about a week in a refrigerator wrapped in damp paper and placed in a plastic bag. To keep them longer, up to two or three weeks, you can place the herb bouquet in a glass with 2-3 cm of water by covering the top with a plastic bag held by...

Store aromatic herbs for the winter]]> 5 Tue, 30 Jun 2020 08:40:24 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/spearmint.98275/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/spearmint.98275/ invalid@example.com (Nik) Nik 4 Sun, 28 Jun 2020 13:44:06 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/parsley-sage-rosemary-and-thyme-plus-mint.98274/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/parsley-sage-rosemary-and-thyme-plus-mint.98274/ invalid@example.com (Acerholic) Acerholic Thu, 14 May 2020 14:22:07 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/identifying-leaf-diseases-in-herbs.97832/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/identifying-leaf-diseases-in-herbs.97832/ invalid@example.com (Wayne Uy Nhan) Wayne Uy Nhan
I was wondering if anyone could help me identify a recent problem I had with my Thyme plants? I live in the tropical city of HCMC Vietnam and recently my Thyme plants have started to develop white patches on some of the leaves.

I suspect it could be contagious since a few other plants in a separate pot does not show such development.

Would appreciate any help in identifying the problem and the remedy.

Thanks in advanced,

Wayne]]> Sun, 03 May 2020 01:53:21 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/can-camomile-be-transplanted.51142/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/can-camomile-be-transplanted.51142/ invalid@example.com (MannieBoo) MannieBoo 7 Sat, 21 Mar 2020 18:13:34 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/spring-tasty-salad-in-northern-east-italy.97310/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/spring-tasty-salad-in-northern-east-italy.97310/ invalid@example.com (mariadf) mariadf Tasty salad

In spring we can prepare a rich and tasty salad with leaves of 1-lamb’s lettuce, 2-garlic mustard ,3- common dandelion, 4-common mallow, 5-plantain, 6-flatweed , 7-wild lettuce,8-beaked hawk’s beard ,9- goat’s beard,10-borage,11- shepherd’s purse, 12-burdock , 13-rampion bellflower,14- peppermint , and flowers of 15-daisy , 16-Judas’s tree,17- common sowthistle,18- common chicory, and 19-some raw seed of pea. As a condiment we shall use oil, salt, and vinegar....

Spring tasty salad in northern east Italy]]> Fri, 31 Jan 2020 00:25:59 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/mint.51425/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/mint.51425/ invalid@example.com (CapeBretonGardener) CapeBretonGardener 3 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 13:28:00 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/spanish-thyme-aka-cuban-oregano.93981/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/spanish-thyme-aka-cuban-oregano.93981/ invalid@example.com (pmurphy) pmurphy I have a very large pot of Plectranthus Amboinicus that needs a new home; plant is about 5 years old and grown from a single cutting. I no longer have the space and would hate to see it die over the winter. Is anyone interested in this plant?

View attachment 160311

Jan 25, 2019 - Plant has found a new home


]]> Wed, 20 Jun 2018 21:31:41 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hello-there-surprisingly-edible-plants.93172/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hello-there-surprisingly-edible-plants.93172/ invalid@example.com (Nataliee) Nataliee
I did not find any thread to say hi to this community. Anyway I'm a newbie, so please please tell me if I'm choosing a correct section etc!

I'm French-Slovak and now based near Québec (guess why :D ). I am looking for any tips for my new but small garden.

Anyway, recently I am more and more interested in edible plants growing nearby. As I am new in Canada (I previously lived in central Europe), I would like to know if edible wild plants "are a thing" also here. I am a...

Hello there / surprisingly edible plants]]> 5 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 20:06:44 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/brown-sth-on-basil-leaves.93437/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/brown-sth-on-basil-leaves.93437/ invalid@example.com (GardAns) GardAns i love herbs; however, i have got a big problem with basil... it is the second one that i have and the problem is repeating.. it looks like some brown dots are on leaves.. i don't know where is the problem - it is watered when it should be, it stays in sunny place.. maybe you have an idea?]]> Sun, 13 May 2018 01:31:43 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/shiso-or-perilla.53307/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/shiso-or-perilla.53307/ invalid@example.com (Deby) Deby
I live in Vancouver, BC and really want to grow perilla or shiso because I love the flavor it imparts in some dishes. I am a novice gardener and am curious to know whether it is possible to grow in Vancouver and whether anybody has experience cultivating it. Also, I was wondering if anybody could give me a local source as to where I may obtain the seeds/plant to propagate.

Thanks]]> 6 Mon, 30 Apr 2018 11:59:58 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/edible-or-food-safe-flower-for-cocktail-garnish.93044/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/edible-or-food-safe-flower-for-cocktail-garnish.93044/ invalid@example.com (Jack.Straw) Jack.Straw
Below you'll see a picture of the drink i'll be serving. I tossed in a flower of approximately the size i'm looking for as...

Edible (or food safe) flower for cocktail garnish?]]> Thu, 27 Apr 2017 18:06:24 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/growing-basil-seedlings.60407/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/growing-basil-seedlings.60407/ invalid@example.com (tgplp) tgplp
I just bought some basil seedlings for $0.99. I think there are about five seedlings in the tiny container which is about two and a half inches by two and a half inches. What should I do? Should I seperate the basil into their own containers? They sure look pretty crowded in there! Do I need to water the basil? Would it be alright if I put the basil underneath a fluorescent light with my tomato plants? Or would to much fluorescent light kill them?
I've never...

growing basil seedlings]]> 26 Fri, 22 Jul 2016 21:45:03 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/need-help-with-lavender-plants-turning-yellow-and-yellow-dots.89092/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/need-help-with-lavender-plants-turning-yellow-and-yellow-dots.89092/ invalid@example.com (MeowMeow) MeowMeow
I havent been watering them much and they were exposed to plenty of sunlight. So i dont think excess moisture would be an issue.

The soil is composted manure mixed with some rocks....

Need help with lavender plants (turning yellow and yellow dots)]]> 2 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 19:22:38 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/spearmint.56554/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/spearmint.56554/ invalid@example.com (mintyfresh) mintyfresh
I usually fill my room with palms, fruit trees and bamboos, but recently I decided to branch out into herbs.

I'm growing some spearmint and I was wondering if anyone had any advice on growing spearmint. I have read the basics and I was wondering if anyone had any advice or extra tips.

In particular, I would like to know the best time to clip the leaves and dry them.]]> 4