Coriander is an interesting little herb as the leaves are pungent and oily but the seeds for which it is also grown have a different warm, orangey taste. It is a key ingredient in hot spicy food such as curries and also adds flavour to soups (carrot & coriander – delicious). The fresh young leaves can also pep up a mixed baby leaf salad.
Coriander is an easy to grow hardy annual with green serrated leaves which grows to a height of 60cm and spread of 23cm. The seeds can be used green in salads or left to dry and used crushed or whole.
Coriander does run to seed quickly so pick leaves regularly and sow every 4-6 weeks for a year round supply. Sow seeds direct as it isn't keen on transplanting and that can make it bolt.
Don't plant coriander near to fennel as it affects the taste of fennel.
