Allotment - the Where, When, Why and How - Herbs

It's almost impossible to grow a bed of herbs that doesn't look fantastic, they are very easy to grow and make great presents for family and friends - given a small plot, you can make a real feature of herbs and add a huge amount to your culinary prowess too!

Choose from annuals such as basil, coriander, and marjoram; perennials such as mint, fennel, lemon balm and thyme; woody perennials such as rosemary, lavender and sage; or even bulbs such as chives. There will definitely be something for everyone and the more different herbs you grow, the more likely you are to experiment with them in your food. Don't forget medicinal herbs too - Evening Primrose and St John's Wort are famous for their properties.

You can grow herbs in a formal plot, scattered among other plants in a bed or as container plants, in which case keep some fragrant herbs near the shed door, they smell great on a hot summer's day and they'll be within easy picking reach - a few chives in a sandwich or a leaf of lemon balm in your Pims will make all the difference!

Herbs do best in a hot, sunny spot where they will produce the highest concentration of the aromatic oils that give them their smell and taste. They also prefer well-drained soil and, like all plants they enjoy regular feeding throughout the growing season. Some perennial herbs, such as mint and lemon balm, are a bit too vigorous for safety and should be rooted into pot sunk into the ground. Keep chives from flowering by shearing of the flower buds to stop them getting bitter.

allotment herbs photograph by Crysti, used under a creative commons attribution licence