Herbs

Our plants of the month are herbs, and now spring is here, you can plant hardy herbs outside. Herbs can look good, smell divine and taste delicious, so it’s worth making space for them. They’re 20% off this month for Garsons card holders, so buy a selection to plant in a sunny spot where you can grab a handful for cooking, salads or barbecues.

Mediterranean herbs such as sage, thyme and rosemary are drought tolerant, so don’t need too much watering once they’re established. Most herbs prefer a sunny, open position, but check the growing instructions, as some, such as chives, mint and parsley prefer partial shade.

Choose herbs that go the extra mile by producing flowers or an aroma. Aromatic herbs include thyme and rosemary, both of which have small, delicate flowers that attract bees. Plant them close to the house where you can enjoy their aroma on warm summer evenings.

Alpines mix well with herbs such as thyme, oregano and rosemary. Herbs also make good companion plants for roses, so you can plant them around the base of a rose, being careful not to disturb the roots if it’s an established rose.

Basil likes warm, sunny conditions, so grow it on a windowsill. Mint is lovely with new potatoes, and best grown on its own in a container to stop it taking over. Make your own mint tea, and a sprig of mint also goes well with Pimm’s!

Create a herb garden in a raised bed, which adds height and interest and makes them easier to pick. If you only have a small space, cluster different sized pots together containing your favourite herbs for a rustic display.

With a little care, you can have a thriving herb garden for fresh-picked flavour. When planting, add alpine grit to general purpose compost to help them thrive. Give them enough space to grow as they like to spread out and create a strong root system.

Water your herbs regularly, allowing them to dry out between waterings. Feed herbs with an all-purpose liquid feed and check the growing instructions on the packaging. Snipping herbs back encourages fresh growth.

Garsons card holders can receive 20% off the herb range in the garden centre throughout April.