Growing Herbs

Up to 45cm/ 18" 

Indoors in small pots 7.5cm/3" diameter

March/April - temperature   +16C/61F

Very thinly. Cover lightly with compost, water well then place in sealed polythene bags or cover with glass. Water from beneath. Keep compost moist but not very wet.

Remove from bags or glass. Place  in light position (out of direct sunlight). Thin to 3 plants per pot when the plants are about 12mm/1/2" tall. This is most easily done with a pair of tweezers.

Harden off plants which have been raised indoors and finally move outdoors once all danger of frost has passed. Once the plants are established with a good root system, divide into separate plants and pot each up into 15cm/6" pots. Pinch out growing tips regularly to produce bushy plants.

As above but plant the divided plants in beds or borders 30cm/12" apart. 

Leaves can be picked about 6 weeks after planting. If harvesting for drying, cut the leaves just before the flowers open.

Goes particularly well in tomato dishes,  pasta and salads. Use sparingly.

Various - can grow up to 15m 

Not Recommended

Buy a pot grown specimen and place outdoors in in a sunny sheltered place. Re-pot into larger pots as necessary. 

IMPORTANT - Make sure you buy sweet bay plants from reputable suppliers as most other laurels are poisonous.

Pick individual young leaves from all over the plant.

Goes well with meat dishes especially stews, casseroles and meat pasta sauces. Used in Bouquet Garni.

Up to 60cm/2 ft 

Outdoors in small pots/seed trays or directly in the ground in a dry sunny position. 

Any time during the growing season. To ensure a continuous supply, sow at 4-weekly intervals.

Thinly. Cover lightly with compost. 

Thin to 3 plants per pot when the plants are about 12mm/1/2" tall. This is most easily done with a pair of tweezers.

Once the plants are established with a good root system, divide into separate plants and pot each up into 15cm/6" pots. 

Once the plants are established with a good root system, divide into separate plants and transplant  to  30cm/12" apart. 

Pick blooms as they open. Not suitable for drying. 

Adds a cool cucumber-like flavour to summer drinks. The flowers and young leaves may be used to garnish salads. dips, and cucumber soups

Up to 90cm/3 ft 

Outdoors in small pots 7.5cm/3" diameter or directly in the ground in a sunny position. 

Any time during the growing season up to 8 weeks before first frosts.

Thinly. Press seeds into the soil surface 

Thin to 3 plants per pot when the plants are about 5cm/2-inches tall. 

Once the plants are established with a good root system, divide into separate plants and pot each up into 15cm/6" pots. 

Thin to  20cm/8-inches 

Pick leaves just before the buds break. 

Use the

Up to 25cm/10-inches 

Indoors/Outdoors in small pots 7.5cm/3" diameter or directly in the ground in sun or partial shade. 

March/April - temperature   +16C/61F

3 seeds per pot 12mm/1/2-inch deep

Keep well watered 

Once the plants are established with a good root system, divide into separate plants and pot each up into 7.5cm/3" pots. Harden off plants which have been raised indoors and finally move outdoors once all danger of frost has passed.

Harden off plants which have been raised indoors and finally move outdoors once all danger of frost has passed. Thin or plant out  15cm/6-inches apart. Divide old plants at the beginning of the growing season. 

Cut the leaves close to the base as and when needed. Best harvested before flowering. 

In salads, egg and dairy dishes. One of the "fines He".

Up to 60cm/2 ft

Outdoors/indoors in pots 7.5cm/3" diameter or directly in the ground in a  sunny position. 

Outdoors - March/April - temperature   +16C/61F. Can be grown all year round indoors.

3 seeds per pot - 12mm/1/2-inch deep

Keep moist.

When 5cm/2-inches tall, thin to 1 plant per pot. Seedlings to not transplant well. Harden off  plants which have been raised indoors and finally move outdoors once all danger of frost has passed.

When 5cm/2-inches tall, Thin or plant out  15cm/6-inches apart.

Whole plants when 15cm/6-inches tall or leaves (sparingly)  as and when needed.  Gather the seeds as they ripen.

The leaves and seeds are widely used as an ingredient and garnish in Asian cooking including curries

Up to 90cm/3 ft

Outdoors directly in the ground in a  sunny position. 

March/April - temperature   +16C/61F. 

2.5cm/1-inch apart. Press into soil surface

Keep moist.

Not recommended

When 7.55cm/3-inches tall, thin to 30cm/12-inches apart. Stake tall plants.

Pick leaves just before the flowers open. Harvest seeds when they are flat and brown.

The leaves are great sprinkled on news potatoes, tomatoes, grilled salmon, spinach, green beans, cucumbers and squash. Use the seeds for pickling.

Up to 30cm/12 inches

Indoors/Outdoors in small pots 7.5cm/3" diameter or directly in the ground in sun or partial shade. 

Outdoors - March/April - temperature   +16C/61F.  

Indoors - 6 weeks before the end of frosts

2.5cm/1-inch apart. Press into soil surface

Because the seeds are so tiny it is difficult to space individual plants. Transplant clumps of 3 - 6 seedlings every 6 - 8 inches in the open. Thin to 3 clumps of 3-4 plants per pot.

When 5cm/2-inches transplant 1 clump per 15cm/6 inch pot. Harden off  plants raised indoors and finally move outdoors once all danger of frost has passed.

When 5cm/2-inches tall, thin or plant out to one clump 30cm/12-inches 30cm/12 inches apart. 

Leaves can be harvested anytime. Cut the leafy stems at flowering for drying.

Can be used as a substitute for Oregano in most dishes. Also good  sprinkled on pizzas and Vegetable dishes.

Up to 30cm/12 inches

Indoors in small pots 7.5cm/3" diameter. 

Indoors February/June - temperature   +16C/61F.  Can be sown outdoors but germination may be slow.

Very thinly. Press seeds into moist  compost, then place in sealed polythene bags or cover with glass. Water from beneath. Keep compost moist but not very wet.

Remove the glass/from the bag and grow on

When 5cm/2-inches transplant to 1 plant per 7.5cm/3 inch pot. Harden off   and finally move outdoors once all danger of frost has passed.

When 5cm/2-inches thin to 3 plant per 7.5cm/3 inch pot. Harden off  and finally move outdoors once all danger of frost has passed. Once they are established with a good root system, transfer to the open ground 30cm/12 inches apart. Mint spreads like wild fire - Beware!

Leaves can be harvested anytime

Sprinkle finely chopped mint over vegetables, especially new potatoes and peas, fish, Lamb, veal and fresh fruit. 

Up to 40cm/15-inches

Indoors/Outdoors thinly  in small pots 7.5cm/3" diameter. 

Outdoors in open ground

Indoors February/April - temperature   +16C/61F.  

Outdoors - 2 to 4 weeks after the last frost

6mm/1/4-inch deep. 

Keep compost moist but not very wet. 

When 5cm/2-inches thin/transplant to 1 plant per 7.5cm/3 inch pot. Harden off plants which have been raised indoors and finally move outdoors once all danger of frost has passed.

When 5cm/2-inches thin or plant out to 20cm/8-inches apart

Leaves can be harvested anytime before the flowers form. Remove flowers to prolong picking.

A popular herb used in Mediterranean cuisine. Very good with lamb, tomatoes, fish and cheese dishes.

Up to 15cm/6-inches

Indoors/Outdoors thinly  in small pots  7.5cm/3" diameter. 

Outdoors in open ground

Indoors February/April - temperature   +16C/61F.  

Outdoors - 2 weeks before the last frost. 

Is a notoriously slow germinator. Can take 40 days ...... Patience!

Sow seeds 2.5cm/1-inch apart,  6mm/1/4-inch deep.

Keep compost moist but not very wet. 

When 2.5cm/1-inch thin/transplant to 1 plant per 7.5cm/3 inch pot. Harden off plants which have been raised indoors and finally move outdoors once all danger of frost has passed.

When 2.55cm/1 inch thin or plant out to 20cm/8-inches apart

Cut parsley when the leaves are of a suitable size. Leaves can be used fresh or dried.

Goes with almost everything including omelets, salads, stews, vegetables, fish, sauces, eggs and soups and is therefore an ideal herb to use as a garnish. One of the "fines he" and used in Bouquet Garni

Up to 2m/6.6 ft if left unchecked!

Indoors/Outdoors thinly  in small pots  7.5cm/3" diameter. 

Outdoors in open ground

Indoors February/April - temperature   +16C/61F.  

Outdoors - after the last frost. 

Another  slow germinator. Up to 30 days

Sow seeds 2.5cm/1-inch apart,  6mm/1/4-inch deep.

Keep compost moist but not very wet. 

When 2.5cm/1-inch thin/transplant to 1 plant per 7.5cm/3 inch pot. Harden off plants which have been raised indoors and finally move outdoors once all danger of frost has passed.

When 2.55cm/1 inch thin or plant out  to 40cm/18-inches apart

Harvest the leaves as necessary. Also mature whole stems which are particularly useful  as skewers for meat kebabs. Leaves can be used fresh or dried.

Goes well with

Up to 90cm/3 ft

Indoors thinly  in  pots  or  trays 14cm/6" diameter. 

Indoors February/April - temperature   +16C/61F.  

Sow seeds 2.5cm/1-inch apart,  6mm/1/4-inch deep.

Keep compost moist but not very wet. 

When 2.5cm/1-inch thin/transplant to 1 plant per 7.5cm/3 inch pot. Harden off plants which have been raised  indoors and finally move outdoors once all danger of frost has passed. Re-pot into larger pots in stages - up to 30cm/12-inches in diameter.

As above but once hardened off, plant at least 40cm/18 inches apart in full sun.

Harvest the leaves before or at flowering time. 

Popular as a flavouring in stuffings for poultry, pork and baked fish. Also good with sausage meat.

Various - can grow up to 90cm/3 ft 

Not Recommended

Buy a pot grown specimen and place outdoors in in a semi-shaded, sheltered place. Move indoors in Winter.

It is best to use fresh young leaves and stem tips

Particularly good with  chicken or beef and is well known as a flavouring for vinegar

Up to 30cm/12 inches

Indoors  in  pots 7.5cm/3-inches in diameter. 

Indoors March/April - temperature   +16C/61F.  

Very thinly. Cover with 3mm/1/8-inch of compost, water well then place in sealed polythene bags or cover with glass. Water from beneath.

Remove from bags or glass. Place  in light position (out of direct sunlight). Thin to 3 plants per pot when the plants are about 12mm/1/2" tall. This is easily done with tweezers.

Harden off  and finally move outdoors once all danger of frost has passed. Once the plants are established with a good root system, divide into separate plants and pot each up into 15cm/6" pots.

As above but once hardened off, plant 25cm/10-inches inches apart in full sun.

Harvest whole stems before or at flowering time.  Good for drying.

One of the most fragrant herbs which goes well with fish, meat, poultry, game, cheese...almost everything! Used in Bouquet Garni