Herbs in South Tyrolean Cottage Gardens – Good for the Kitchen, Body, and Soul

Where does the tradition of the cottage garden in South Tyrol come from?

The tradition of the cottage garden in South Tyrol is older than the region we know as South Tyrol today. Cottage gardens are a sign of the first people who settled down and felt the need to define their space, creating a "gard"—Old Norse for "enclosure," "fence," or "wall."

The settlement of the Alps in South Tyrol has produced two types of cottage gardens: those with a Romance influence and those with a Germanic influence. Romance-style cottage gardens are usually attached directly to the house, while Germanic-style gardens have their own fences and stand in open land. In German gardens, the main focus is on vegetables, whereas in Italian gardens, the emphasis is more on flowers.

Brotklee (Bread Clover)

The most famous spice since South Tyrol began! Brotklee is not a green clover that grows wild in mountain meadows. The blend commonly known as Brotklee consists of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and blue fenugreek (Trigonella caerulea).

Ground fennel and caraway can also be ingredients in Brotklee. The blend actually originates from Persia and is also widely used in Arabic cuisine.

Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

The scent of lovage is reminiscent of Maggi seasoning. Yes, you heard that right—which is why it is often called "Maggi herb." This modern perspective on the perennial, which can grow up to two meters tall, was once quite different: in the 16th century, lovage was popularly used as an aphrodisiac.

Lovage tea also has a very positive effect on digestion. In France, the herb was once known as "false celery."

Scarlet Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

The scarlet bee balm is an emigrant from overseas! Its stunning red blossoms are an ornament to any cottage garden. Especially for those who produce their own honey, this beautiful plant from the bergamot family is a source of great joy for the bees.

When prepared as a tea, it is said to be effective against nausea, fever, and menstrual cramps.

Winter Savory (Satureja montana)

Winter savory is the cold-weather relative of summer savory. It has a more pungent, spicy flavor than its summer counterpart and is also frost-hardy. Winter savory is a perfect pepper substitute and pairs excellently with meat, legumes, or roasted potatoes.

Winter savory is antiseptic and can be effective against inflammations of the mouth and throat. Additionally, it soothes the entire gastrointestinal tract.

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)

In the kitchen, tarragon truly shines: this aromatic herb pairs exceptionally well with poultry or fish. Shoots and leaves preserved in vinegar make an outstanding seasoning for any salad.

Originally introduced from China, tarragon is traditionally chewed to relieve toothaches. Tarragon has a subtle sweetness and is slightly reminiscent of the taste of licorice.

Herbs—The Essence of the Kitchen and Vital for Garden Health

Herbs are important in a cottage garden for more than just their culinary significance or for making a good herbal tea. They also contribute to the overall health of the garden. Examples include borage, dill, thyme, sage, and fragrant lemon balm. A cottage garden is an entire cosmos where one cannot simply distinguish between a herb garden and a vegetable garden. Thus, guests at the Glinzhof find themselves in a cottage garden universe that reflects the entire world. Here, everything is interconnected.

Herbs are actually something of a "garden police force"! Plants such as lavender or rosemary, for instance, can help fend off pests. On the other hand, ladybugs, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps are beneficial insects. They are attracted by yarrow and help combat pests. Borage or dill improve the soil structure and promote the nutrient uptake of neighboring plants. To prevent the soil from drying out too quickly even during hot summers, thyme and lemon balm can be used as ground cover.

The integration of these herbs into a cottage garden strengthens the overall health and productivity of the garden. And that’s not all: they can be processed into teas or herbal salts, for example. A South Tyrolean herb garden, however, is more than just a part of a cottage garden. Its seasoning enriches the flavor of every meal, whether it’s traditional South Tyrolean cuisine, Italian cuisine, or German recipes. Herbs are a feast for all the senses.

Neophytes and the Significance of Monastery Gardens

The term neophytes refers to herbs and plant species that became known in Europe after 1492. This was the century in which not only continents but also foreign life forms were discovered. They were brought to Europe by explorers, and some managed to establish themselves successfully in Europe.

Basil is originally a plant from the tropical regions of Asia and was introduced to Europe through emerging trade routes. The origin of nasturtium is South America. However, there are also herb species that did not travel such long distances. Borage actually comes from the Mediterranean region, as does rosemary, which is well-known as a Mediterranean herb. It is worth noting that many exotic species found their way from Asia, Africa, and the Americas to Europe, where they were cultivated in gardens.

Monastery gardens played a primary role in this development. The task of monasteries during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance was not only self-sufficiency and feeding the poor; they also served a medical function. Monks often traveled very far and, in doing so, discovered herbs that worked excellently as medicinal plants.

In South Tyrol, there are several farms that specialize in South Tyrolean herbs and offer hikes in the Alpine region where one can discover wild herbs as medicinal plants. These include plants considered indigenous, such as yarrow.

South Tyrolean Mountain Herbs = South Tyrolean Kitchen Herbs

What could be more beautiful than a holiday in the mountains, exploring native herbs and spices with a legendary view of South Tyrol's breathtaking mountain landscape? You will be amazed by the variety of wild-growing herbs. Naturally, the sun and the season play a special role if you plan to truly "go herbal" during your holiday.

Essentially, all South Tyrolean mountain herbs are also South Tyrolean kitchen herbs—if only because most farms, like our Glinzhof, are located high up in the mountains. However, some wild herbs are only found in very specific spots. For these herbs, it is important to have an experienced herbal expert by your side, as some plants can easily be mistaken for their poisonous counterparts at first glance.

Tip: If you would like to gather herbs yourself, remember never to harvest entire patches, in order to preserve the diversity of South Tyrolean wild herbs! After all, we are all just guests in God's vast nature!

The good news is: Herbs begin to grow as soon as the first rays of sunlight tickle the tiny plants out of the ground. This usually happens around March or April. That is the perfect time for a wild herb soup. These first plants of spring help to wash away "winter sins" from the body and allow you to start building a small herbal pharmacy for the following winter. There are no universal rules for the harvesting season, as nature is subject to its own laws.

1. Masterwort (Peucedanum ostruthium)

Large, white flower umbels and aromatic roots characterize the masterwort. It can be found in the damp meadows of the South Tyrolean mountain regions.

In folk medicine, the roots are recommended for the treatment of stomach and intestinal upsets.

2. Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)

Lungwort can be recognized by its striking white-spotted leaves and its pretty pink to violet flowers.

Its preferred habitat is damp forests. The herb is used for respiratory diseases.

3. Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Its majestic appearance does justice to its name: Mullein, with its tall growth, yellow blossoms, and fuzzy leaves, loves to grow on dry soils and embankments.

Traditionally, this beautiful plant is used to treat coughs and bronchitis.

4. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Known as a woman's plant with its tiny white blossoms, it grows in meadows, along paths, and on mountain ridges. For centuries, yarrow has been used to treat menstrual cramps and to promote wound healing.

Because its spicy leaves are so tasty, it can be found in every modern herb garden.

5. Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

If you are looking for ground ivy, you will find it in the shaded areas of hedges. Its small, violet blossoms are a driving force in modern agritourism. This little plant is very flavorful and is perfect for adding the finishing touch to any vegetable dish.

Cultivating ground ivy is easy. Usually, it finds its own way into the herb garden.

Planning and Creating an Herb Garden – Here’s How!

You can't take the mountains home with you. You can't take South Tyrol home with you. But you can take herbs! For a love affair that can last forever, you can find more valuable tips in Creating and Planning an Herb Garden on how to bring a little South Tyrolean herb oasis into your own home—even with urban gardening!