News & Articles

Essential Warm-Weather Watering Strategies for Herbs and Vegetables

Master summer watering techniques for herbs and vegetables. Learn optimal timing, deep watering methods, and heat stress prevention tips from experts.

Planning My Potager Garden

Follow along with Penelope as she plans and designs her potager garden that combines vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a beautiful, functional space.

Container Herb Gardens: Creating Instant Culinary Gardens with Live Plants

There’s something magical about stepping outside your door and snipping fresh basil, mint, or rosemary for a meal. Container herb gardens make this possible for everyone—no matter your space!

Soil Preparation Essentials for Transplanting Success

Master the art of transplanting with our essential soil preparation guide. Discover expert techniques for creating the perfect growing environment for your herbs and plants with Richters Herbs.

Time-Sensitive Spring Gardening: Why Live Plants Give You the Edge

Spring is here and timing is EVERYTHING! Discover why starting with live herb and vegetable plants gives you a crucial time advantage in spring gardening. Expert tips from Richters for a thriving, productive garden this season.

Transplanting 101: Moving Herb and Vegetable Starters to Your Garden Beds

Learn how to transplant herb and vegetable starters into your garden this spring with our expert guide to successful transplanting! Learn the best timing, soil prep, and aftercare for a thriving garden this season.

Getting a Head Start: Why Spring is the Perfect Time for Live Plant Purchases vs. Seeds

Why spring is the perfect time to invest in live herb plants for quicker harvests and better results! We share exactly when to choose plants over seeds and how to make the most of both options.

The Search for a Herbal Viagra

The success of Viagra has inspired a global surge in herbal alternatives like Tribulus terrestris, yohimbe, and damiana. These natural remedies, steeped in traditional uses, highlight the growing trend of lifestyle herbs for vitality and well-being.

Celebrating Dill: Herb of the Year 2010

Dill is more than a kitchen staple—it’s a plant steeped in history, culture, and health benefits. From soothing colicky babies to enhancing digestion, dill has been cherished for centuries across the globe. Its dual personality as both dillweed (herb) and dill seeds (spice) makes it a versatile ingredient in dishes like pickles, soups, and sauces.

Commercial Calendula Cultivation

Discover calendula's versatile uses, from medicinal and cosmetic applications to edible flowers and oilseed production. Learn about top-performing varieties, site preparation, planting, irrigation, pest control, and harvesting techniques to optimize flower and seed yields. Explore how this hardy annual can thrive in diverse climates and unlock opportunities for growers worldwide.

The Many-Splendored Scents of Herbs

Discover the fascinating science behind the diverse scents and flavors of herbs. Learn how natural genetic variation and essential oil chemistry create unique aromas like lemon verbena, orange thyme, and more. Uncover how observant gardeners—and plant breeders—can find or develop new scented herb varieties, all without GMOs.

Fall Is Not the Time to Be Timid in the Herb Garden

Demystify fall herb planting with beginner-friendly tips for harvesting, drying, and growing favorites like basil, rosemary, and garlic. Get ready to prep your garden for next year’s success!

But Really, Why on Earth Do We Eat Chiles Anyway?

From fiery Oaxacan markets to the unique pain-processing pathways of capsaicin, hot peppers offer a fascinating mix of culture, biology, and culinary adventure. Conrad Richter delves into the allure of chiles, their genetic quirks, medicinal benefits, and why humans embrace the pain of spicy food. Is it nutrition, antifungal properties, or the thrill of "benign masochism" that keeps us coming back?

A Darwinian Knot Disease: Genes and Henna

Henna, prized for its vibrant hues, has been used for hair, skin, and rituals for centuries. Its antiseptic properties made it vital in ancient medicine, despite its lethal effects on some with G6PD deficiency. Thriving in hot, dry climates, henna's leaves produce the dye compound lawsone, blending cultural significance with natural resilience.

Silver Herbs: Planning a moon garden

A moon garden, featuring silver and grey herbs, creates an enchanting nighttime retreat with light-reflecting foliage and calming daytime appeal. Discover drought-tolerant herbs like artemisia, lavender, and yarrow to design your own magical, low-maintenance sanctuary.

Success With Mints

Mints are beginner-friendly, fast-growing, and profitable herbs. This guide highlights key varieties, propagation techniques, optimal growing conditions, pest management, and tips for successful spring sales.

Getting Oregano Right

Oregano, the popular "pizza herb," is a fast, easy, and profitable crop when grown with the right variety—Greek oregano. This guide covers propagation, growing conditions, pest control, and market opportunities.

What's New: Rediscovering Global Traditions

Over several decades, ethnic and improved herbs have reshaped North America's herb industry. Discover the exciting history of "new" herbs in the North American market.

Calendula: Medicine from the Garden

Calendula, a hardy garden annual, is both a medicinal and culinary herb. It aids wound healing, soothes skin, and adds vibrant color and flavor to dishes, making it a versatile and valuable plant.

Mother Herb: An Interview with Waltraut Richter

An interview with Richters co-founder, Waltraut Richter, explores how her passion for herbs and desire to share their benefits led to founding Richters Herbs, a pioneer in North America's herb industry.

Ultimate Guide to Growing Herbs Indoors

Herbs are rewarding to grow indoors, providing flavour, fragrance, and beauty year-round. This guide covers the best herbs for indoor cultivation, light and soil needs, pest control, and tips for thriving plants.

Ground Cover Herbs from Seed

Herbal ground covers offer unique, low-maintenance alternatives to traditional lawns. This guide highlights options like wild thyme, yarrow, and chamomile, detailing their growth, uses, and seeding tips for lush, aromatic landscapes.

Fall is the Time to Harvest Roots to Make Home Remedies

Fall is the perfect time to harvest medicinal roots like ginseng, valerian, and comfrey, as they reach peak potency. This guide explores their benefits, growing tips, and preparation for home remedies.

Sowing the Seeds of Herbal Happiness

Learn how to grow fresh herbs in your garden with this expert guide. Discover the best herbs for Toronto gardens, from seeds to plants, and start your herbal journey today.

Popular Herbs Grow Happily Indoors

Herbs thrive in Canadian gardens and can be grown indoors year-round with proper light and care. This guide covers planting tips, maintenance, and a selection of popular herbs for indoor cultivation.