Herbs project - no space & no experience required

If I had no outdoor space for plants, or zero green fingers, and wanted to try growing some veg, I would choose growing herbs in a windowsill, without a doubt.

You only eat a little amount of the plant each time, so you only need one -  and they’re small – so suitable for a windowsill.

And they’re expensive to buy fresh for cooking – so you will save money!

Herbs, like any other plant, divide into two groups: ”annuals” -  that die naturally after one year, and “perennials” - which will stay in their pot for years. For the least amount of maintenance:  I would choose perennials: buy them from the garden centre (or the supermarket, although these tend to come in a worse state and don’t always survive), plonk them in the pot in your windowsill, remember to water them when the compost gets too dry, and don’t forget to pick leaves to eat on a regular basis!

In terms of container, it’s only a matter of personal preference: you can grow them in individual pots, or put them together in one of those long window-sill, trough-like containers. Pot size starts at mug- size (for one plant), but if you have space for something bigger the plant will be happier and last longer. Use any multipurpose compost - these plants are not fussy, and they won't need any kind of extra fertiliser.

Some herbs like it a bit drier, some prefer their compost wetter: I would grow each set in a separate long pot – and water one a bit more often than the other:

Herbs for dryer compost (they come from the Mediterranean):

·         Oregano

·         Thyme

·         Rosemary

·         Basil*

Herbs for (slightly) wetter compost:

·         Mint

·         Chives

·         Parsley*

·         Coriander*

*These three are annuals

Rule of thumb: when a plant finally dies, simply buy a new one and replace it.