Your Herb Garden. Barbara Segall

only. Plant substances, whether used as foods, remedies or cosmetics, used externally or taken internally, can cause allergic reactions in some people. Neither the author nor the publishers can be held responsible for claims arising from the mistaken identity of any herbs or their inappropriate use. Do not try self-diagnosis or self-treatment for serious or chronic medical conditions without consulting a medical practitioner or a qualified medical herbal practitioner. Do not take herbal remedies if you are undergoing any other medical treatment. Always seek professional medical advice if symptoms persist.

      JANUARY

       If you are a first-time herb gardener, you are embarking upon one of gardening’S greatest pleasures. What better time than midwinter to start thinking about the aroma and fragrance of herbs in the spring or summer garden, as well as the household pleasures they provide throughout the year?

      A herb garden offers a special combination of plants, which can be enjoyed in different ways. They can be admired simply for their decorative effect and overall shape, as they grow into the plan you have created. In addition, you can appreciate the scents, aromas and colours of their flowers and foliage.

      Herbs can be raised from seed, grown from cuttings or bought in containers from garden centres or nurseries. During winter, in an established herb garden, fresh herb leaves are still available from many evergreen plants such as rosemary, thyme and sage. You can also grow a selection of herbs indoors on a sunny kitchen windowsill. Winter savory, chives, parsley, chervil, sage and thyme will all provide flavour for soups, stews, sauces and vegetable dishes through the winter season.

      If you are new to herb gardening, use the calm and relative inactivity of this ‘in-between’ season to choose the site for your herb garden and the plants that you will use and enjoy. Then settle down to create a planting plan for the herb garden. Herbs are versatile plants that look equally attractive whether they are grown informal, shaped beds such as squares, rectangles and circles, or informal borders. If space is at a premium, plan a herb garden using containers on a balcony or patio, or even a windowbox.

      Whether you are growing a herb garden for the first time, extending an existing one or adding a new herb feature to your garden, now is the time to choose or reassess the site and to make the right plant choices.

       tasks FOR THE month

       HERB THEMES FOR THE GARDEN

       LEMON-SCENTED LEAVES

       Balm • Lemon mint • Lemon thyme • Verbena

       ORNAMENTAL DYE PLANTS

       Coreopsis • Dyer’s chamomile • Safflower

       EDIBLE FLOWERS

       Bergamot • Borage • Garlic chives • Hyssop • Lavender • Mallow • Pot marigold • Rose • Sage • Viola

       ENGLISH CULINARY

       Chives • Mint • Parsley (curled) • Rosemary • Sorrel

       FRENCH CULINARY

       Bay • Chervil • Fennel • Garlic • Parsley • Tarragon • Thyme

       ITALIAN CULINARY

       Basil • Bay • Oregano • Parsley (flat-leaved) • Sage

       POT-POURRI HERBS: FLOWERS

       Lavender • Rose • Sage • Sweet rocket • Thyme

       POT-POURRI HERBS: LEAVES

       Basil • Bergamot • Mint • Scented pelargonium • Rosemary • Sage • Thyme • Wild strawberry

       CHECKLIST

       Plan a new herb garden or bed

       Select herbs to grow

       Order seeds

       STARTING A HERB GARDEN

      If you begin a herb garden in midwinter, most of your activity will be comfortably achieved indoors – drawing plans; ordering seeds and imagining the non-stop pleasure of harvesting throughout the following seasons. Now is the time to get to know the plants on paper; discover what conditions suit them best and check that you have the right soil and site for them. Then decide on the shape of the herb garden and the range of plants you want to grow.

       NOTE

       Before making a formal plan, ask yourself the following questions about your garden. Is the soil a heavy clay? Is it a light, infertile sandy soil? Is the garden sheltered from wind? Is it shady or sunny?

      Herbs are adaptable plants that will grow in most conditions, extremes of cold, drought and moisture excluded. Most originate from hot climates and thrive in well-drained, infertile sandy soils. In the wild, herbs are not constantly harvested, so fertile soil is not necessary, and the aromatic oils produced in their leaves and stems help prevent excessive loss of water.

      In the garden, you may have to offer the plants a little extra help to ensure they perform well. In cold areas, winter shelter from chilly, drying winds is necessary to prevent evergreens such as bay turning brown. In summer, the plants will benefit from the shelter and shade provided by herb hedges and wooden fencing.

      If the soil is infertile, work in well-rotted, home-made compost or a bagged, proprietary compost in autumn or spring. The added compost gives the plants extra nutrients so they keep producing new shoots throughout the growing season. The addition of compost will also help water retention in dry soils. Heavy clay soils need similar additions of compost to open them up and prevent waterlogging. Clay soils also need gravel or coarse material such as sand worked in to make them free draining.

       Choosing the site

      For best results, choose a site in full sun, protected from cold or drying winds and with soil that is well manured, well dug and drains efficiently. Naturally, in exceptionally dry seasons you will have to water the plants. Remember that herbs in containers may need watering at least once a day, especially in sunny sites during dry, warm spells.

      For you, easy access to the herb garden is essential. If you plan to grow herbs solely for kitchen use and have limited space, choose a site near the back door. That way, you can harvest fresh herbs in all weathers, just a step outside the kitchen.

       Making a plan