Growing your own culinary herbs at home is easier than you think. Give your herbs full sun and a sheltered spot and they will reward you with lots of lush fresh growth – regardless of whether you’re growing them on the windowsill, in containers outside or in the ground.

The easiest herbs to grow are perennial herbs that you can buy ready-grown in pots, such as Rosemary, Mint, Chives and many others.

Culinary herbs are not only delicious for flavouring your home cooking but they’re also attractive, some are aromatic and many are wildlife friendly.

Caring for Herbs

Position your herbs in full sun and grow them in well-drained fertile soil/compost. If growing in containers, remember to water at regular intervals, keeping the soil moist but never soggy. Feed in the spring with a general-purpose feed to encourage new growth. During the growing season, continue to pick leaves at regular intervals to keep the plant bushy and full of new growth.

As long as they have good drainage, many perennial herbs can live outdoors all year round. Other herbs including annuals such as Coriander, and half-hardy annuals such as Basil, will need to be either grown indoors in the winter or planted afresh outside every year.

Our Favourites

We stock a range of herbs, particularly so in the spring – with the most popular including:

Thymus (Thyme) – fresh or dried leaves are ideal for flavouring many savoury dishes and the flowers are also edible. Thrives in well drained soils in full sun and is relatively drought-tolerant. Much loved by bees and insects.

Mentha (Mint) – ideal for summer drinks, as well as salads, teas and many other uses. Comes in a wide range of different varieties. Prefers moist, rich soil in sun or part shade and is best grown in containers as can be prone to becoming invasive if planted in the ground.

Rosmarinus (Rosemary) – aromatic leaves are much loved for a range of dishes and particularly for BBQs! Cut the tips off regularly to keep the plant bushy and to take advantage of the lush fresh growth. Prefers full sun and good drainage.

Salvia officinalis (Sage) – aromatic leaves can be used in a range of dishes, especially meat dishes - as well as for making teas. Attractive ornamental as well as edible plants. Benefits from hard pruning in early spring to promote bushy growth.

Allium schoenoprasum (Chives) – both leaves and flowers are edible with a mild garlic-like flavour. Often used as a garnish in cooking. Cut down to the ground after flowering to promote fresh growth. Prefers full sun but can tolerate wet heavy soils.