Sage is a great herb for cooking and easy to grow. I love sage with cheese, it’s fantastic. When growing it doesn’t like wet ground, so plant it in a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil.

There are loads of sage varieties to choose from, including some with coloured leaves. I try to harvest the leaves regularly, as this will encourage more to grow.

And as sage is an evergreen, the leaves can be picked at any time and added to your dishes. But, for winter protection the plant can be covered with horticultural fleece.

Growing conditions

Full sun or partial shade

South, North, West or East-facing

Sheltered

Moist but well-drained

Clay or loam

This biennial herb has so many uses in the kitchen! I like to give the seeds a head-start by sowing them indoors on a sunny windowsill. Alternatively, sow directly in the ground when the soil warms up.

Parsley can be slow to germinate, so speed things up by soaking the seeds in water overnight before planting. Choose a spot with rich, slightly damp soil in full sun or partial shade.

To harvest, the single leaves or bunches low down on the stem can be cut and used fresh.

Growing conditions

Full sun or partial shade

South, West or East-facing

Exposed or sheltered

Moist but well-drained

Chalk, Clay, Loam or Sand

Oregano plants thrive in warm, sunny spots and like light soils. They have lovely pink flowers and make for great ground cover at the front of garden borders.

I sow the seeds in spring when the soil has warmed up or start them off in pots indoors. When the plants reach 10cm tall, pinch out the vertical growing tips to encourage more leafy side shoots.

Growing conditions

Full sun or partial shade

South, West, North or East Facing

Exposed or sheltered

Well-drained

Sand, Chalk, or Loam

You can grow mint from seed, but it is often different from the parent plant, so I’d advise buying young plants from the garden centre instead.

This plant will spread if you plant directly into the ground. So plant it in a pot to contain the roots and stop it from taking over. Keep it in full sun or partial shade and pinch out any flower buds to encourage more leaf growth.

Growing conditions

Full sun or partial shade

South, West, North or East Facing

Exposed or sheltered

Moist but well-drained or poorly drained

Sand, Clay, Chalk, or Loam

Coriander is a versatile herb for the kitchen and grows well in the ground or in containers. The seeds can take weeks to germinate and the plants are fairly short-lived, so sow a few seeds every couple of weeks for a continuous supply.

It can often ‘bolt’ when stressed, which means it produces flowers and seeds instead of tasty leaves. Keep it well-watered and harvest regularly for best results.

Growing conditions

Full sun or partial shade

South, West, or East Facing

Exposed or sheltered

Well-drained or moist but well-drained

Sand, Chalk, or Loam

I love to grow basil. In fact, it is one of the most popular herbs to grow because it’s so tasty. And can be added to a multitude of dishes and drinks. I tend to sow seeds into potting compost on a sunny windowsill from March onwards.

You can then remove the growing tip when the plants are 15cm high for bushier growth. When the weather gets warmer, you can then plant out in the garden.

Growing conditions

Full sun

South or West Facing

Sheltered

Well-drained

Sand or Loam

Chives are a relative of the onion family and have slender, pointed leaves. They also produce lovely fuzzy globe flowers in pink or purple colour.

When I grow them, I sow seeds directly in the ground during March and April. Chives grow best in a sunny spot with rich moist soil, so keep the plants well-watered.

Growing conditions

Full sun or partial shade

West, South or East facing

Exposed or sheltered

Well-drained or moist but well-drained

Clay, Chalk, Sand or Loam

With its foliage topped with sprays of yellow flowers in summer, dill is a great herb to grow. And the flavoured leaves are a popular addition to rice, soup, fish, and salads.

Dill likes to stay in the same spot when you grow it. Avoid disturbing the roots whether in the ground or a container as this can cause you problems.

In spring and summer, the leaves can be cut off and used in dishes. When the seeds turn brown and ripen later in the summer, they can be collected in paper bags and stored – they can be used ground or whole and are often used as an ingredient in curry powder.

Growing conditions

Full sun

West, South or East facing

Sheltered

Well-drained

Chalk, Sand or Loam

A long-lived plant that in early summer is covered in sprays of vibrant yellow flowers. The scent and the taste are similar to aniseed and it can be used in salads and cooking, popularly with fish dishes.

As well as being enjoyed by us in the kitchen, it’s a popular plant for pollinators.

In spring and autumn, leaves can be harvested as required.

Growing conditions

Full sun or partial shade

West or South facing

Sheltered

Moist but well-drained

Clay, Chalk, Sand or Loam

Beautifully fragrant and perfect in a Mediterranean style garden, rosemary’s evergreen leaves can be picked all year round to use to flavour soup and meat as well as being used in drinks such as tea.

To keep the plant looking full and compact, when the flowers begin to fade, cut back the stems or the plants will become leggy.

Growing conditions

Full sun

South, West or East facing

Exposed or sheltered

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Chalk, Clay, Loam or Sand