Grow your own herbs

Why pay out for supermarket cooking herbs when it's so easy to grow your own?

Herbs can be grown nearly anywhere and the hardier evergreen types like rosemary need little looking after once planted.

The main requirements for growing herbs are light, sun and water. They can be grown anywhere from the kitchen window-sill to the garden.

Where to grow?

All herbs can be grown in pots or the ground. Less hardy types can be better looked after when in a pot but hardier shrub-like herbs are happy left to their own devices in the ground.

Herbs in pots need more watering and a little feeding as they won't get the nutrients that herbs planted in the ground obtain. But herbs in pots have the added advantage of being easily moved to other spots and a colourful pot can make them a focal point.

What compost type should be used?

Most herbs are happy in everyday garden soil. You can give plants a helping hand by adding a multi purpose compost (from all garden centres). If planting herbs in pots, John Innes No 2 (from all garden centres) is a good choice of compost.

The top 10 herbs to try

For flavour, hardiness and good-looks in the garden these herbs
are our favourites. For best results buy plug plants.

HERB	LATIN NAME	WHERE	CARE NEEDED	HARVEST	FOODIE TIP
Chives	Allium schoenoprasum	In a sunny position	Remove flower stems to encourage leaves. Plant dies down in autumn and reappears in spring	Cut leaves close to their base all year round. Move pots indoors in autumn to provide leaves through winter	Use finely chopped leaves over boiled new potatoes, and added to omelettes, egg & cheese dishes
Pot marigold	Calendula officinalis	In a sunny position	Dead-head flowers regularly to encourage further growth and beware of slugs	Pick fresh young leaves for salads and take new flowers as they open in early summer	Use young leaves in salads. Use flowers as a garnish and to decorate the table
Basil	Ocimum basilicum	In a pot in a sunny spot	Basil just loves the summer. Keep it protected from the cold	Pick fresh leaves throughout the summer	Add fresh leaves to any pasta, tomato or salad
Bay	Laurus nobilis	Can be grown in a pot but will thrive better in the ground. Plant in a sunny position	Cut back and prune shape of plant in spring. If sooty mould appears treat with horticultural soap	Pick fresh leaves all year round	Add fresh or dried leaves to stews and casseroles
Sweet Marjoram	Origanum majorana	In a sunny position	Cut back after flowering to encourage new growth	Pick fresh leaves regularly. Cut plant back in autumn and dry the leaves	The all round mediterranean herb. Use it scattered over pizzas and with any meat dish
Oregano	Origanum vulgare	Either in a sunny position	Cut back after flowering to encourage new growth	Pick fresh leaves regularly. Cut plant back in autumn and dry the leaves	Best used as dried leaves in cooking
Parsley	Petroselinum crispum	In sun or partial shade	Don't allow plant to dry out and beware of slugs	Cut fresh leaves when needed	Good for adding flavour to most sauces, soups or just added to salads
Rosemary	Rosemainus officinalis	In a sunny position and grows well in the ground	Cut back in spring after flowering	Pick fresh leaves all year round	Well known for adding flavour to roast lamb and meat dishes
Sage	Salvia officinalis	In a sunny position	Protect it from wet and cold in winter and prune lightly in spring to encourage new leaves	Pick fresh leaves all year round. Leaves have a stronger flavour after flowering	Perfect for chicken stuffing
Thyme	Thymus vulgaris	In a sunny position	Prune in spring to encourage new growth. Prune again in autumn to stop woody growth	Pick fresh leaves all year round as it is an evergreen	Very versatile herb as you can add it to almost any vegetable or meat dish for extra flavour

Where to buy

All good garden centres have a range of herbs from £2.99 per plant. Advice is usually available if you are in doubt about what to buy.

Jekkas Herb Farm

Jekkas Herb Farm is the herb specialist and has a reputation for being the authority on growing and using herbs in the UK. It's a bit more expensive then the average garden centre but you know you're getting quality plants. All herbs from £3, minimum order is £15 and delivery is £8.95. Tel:01454418878

Dobies

Buy from specialist shop, Dobies for just £7.95 for five plants. All packs are delivered with full growing instructions. There's no charge for p&p.
Tel: 0870 112 3623

Rocket Gardens

Image shows: The Instant Herb Garden pack, £36.99, from Rocket Gardens. The herb garden is suitable for gardens, containers or window boxes. It comprises of 16 established herb plants in 9cm biodegradable pots.

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